
(ilass 
Book 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



/ 



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'^^^^^-P- ^^^^:^<^ 



THE 



HISTORY OF SAUSBURY 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

FROM DATE DF SETTLEMENT TD THE PRESENT TIME. 

THE WHOLE INTERSPERSED WITH NHMERDHS 
INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 

EMBELLISHED WITH MAPS, CUTS, 

AND PDRTRfilTS Of CISTINGUISHED CITIZENS. 



COy^TED BY 

JOHN J. ^DEARBORN. 



EDITED BY 
JAMES 0. ADAMS and HENRY P. ROLFE. 



i 






HESTER, N. H. V^ Vv/.?, J^,/r?i. '^ 



MANC 
PRINTED BY WILLIAM E. MOORE. 

1890. 



jn 






DEDICATION 



To the memory of the brave men and noble women who tirst made 
their homes in the wilderness of Salisbury, and for many years stood upon 
the borders of civilization, and kept watch and ward over the infant Province 
of New Hampshire; whose sweat and blood moistened her virgin soil; 
whose valor defended its rude cabins from savage violence and destruction 
— and especially to those whose bravery was displayed on many sanguinary 
fields through all the dark days of the Revolution ; whose fortitude in the 
times which tried men's souls was a theme of constant praise; to the mem- 
ory of all those sons and daughters who have served their day and genera- 
tion and have fallen asleep, illustrious in life and venerated in death; and of 
those who became her children by adoption, and those whose eyes first 
beheld the light in this favored town, and have passed over "the silent 
river," and to all their descendants everywhere, who are living, this history 
is most respectfully dedicated by its authors. 

JOHN J. UEAKBORN. 
JAMES O. ADAMS, 
HENRY P. ROLFK. 



CorVRlCHTED 
1884 

Hv John J. Dearborn. 




■•'^t~ "ii^-.-'^'c'-^' 



i^^f' 



^<ifj^'-^ 



J. J. DEARBORN, M. D. 




PREFACE. 



Previous to May. iSb>2, Dr. John J. Dearborn, of Salisbury, had l:)een 
cno^aged by the town to collate a history of the same. He was a young man 
of much energy and enterprise, and displayed very commendable persever- 
ence in bringing together the material for a history. In his practice he had 
excellent opportunities to gather up a vast amount of material necessary for 
the work, and the records of the town were at hand for his inspection. 

In May, 1882, he exhibited to me what he had collected. The collection 
was minute and comprehensive, but was in no condition to he published. He 
was indeed entitled to much praise for what he had done. 

In the spring of 1883 the late lamented James O. Adams informed me 
that he had been employed by Dr. Dearborn to take the manuscript and 
edit the history for publication. Having learned that I was familiar with 
the town and its former inhabitants, and with its moral, social and political 
conditions, Mr. Adams desired me to join him in editing the work. 3*J 

Dr. Dearborn then made an arrangement with Mr. Adams and myself 
to take the material and make such tranformations and additions as we 
should find necessary. I at once commenced to write the '* Constitutional 
History," and when finished submitted it to Messrs. Dearborn and Adams. 
This was so satisfactory to them, as well as to the late (ieorgc W. Nesmith. 
who took much interest in the history, that I was requested to write the 
" Preliminary Chapter." This was also undertaken and upon its completion 
Mr. Adams importuned me to continue my labors. In a few months I had 
finished all that was given me to do. With his other duties as Secretary of 
the Board of Agriculture, Mr. Adams was slow in the discharge of his duty 
to the history, but in time, with my assistance, he completed his share of 
the work, and on the 28th of October, 18S4. a part of the manuscript went to 
the printer. In four years from that time the printing was still unfinished. 

After six years of patient waiting and deferred hope, the History of 
Salisbury now makes its appearance. Such as it is. we commend it to the 
careful perusal and kind consideration of those who feel ;in interest in this 



IV PREFACE. 

remarkable old town and the glorious achievements of her sons. .She claims 
the home, the birth-place of "the greatest orator vvlio ever spoke the lan- 
guage of Milton and Burke." 

To the late George W. Nesmith is due the credit for tlie painstaking 
and finished chapter on " The Revolutionary War." 

To that most worthy and earnest statistician, the late John M. Shirley, 
the thanks of the proprietors of the History of Salisbury are due, for the 
chapter on " Roads and Turnpikes," and the article on "Samaritan Lodge 
of Masons." 

In his contract with the town, Dr. Dearborn agreed to submit the his- 
tory to the inspection and approval of a committee, consisting of Col. John 
C. Smith, Dea. Thomas D. Little, and Frank B. Calef, Esq., the two latter 
being natives of the town and life-long residents. Col. Smith, having had 
his home there for si.xty-three years, was better acquainted with the inhabi- 
tants and business of the town than any one in it. Mr. Calef has died since 
the history was written. The remaining members of the committee have 
carefully examined and approved the entire work. 

HENRY F. ROLl'K. 
Concord, N. H., Dec. i, 1890. 



CONTENTS. 



Introduction 

Preliminary Chapter 

Chapter I. Natural History of the Town 

Chapter II. Discoveries and Titles, 

Chapter III. Hakerstown. . 

Chapter IV'. Stevenstown. . 

Chapter V. The Men of Stevenstown. 

Chapter VI. Municipal History. 

Chapter VII. Municipal Historv — continued, 

Chapter VIII. Civil History Concluded, 

Chapter IX. Constitutional History, 

Chapter X. Ecclesiastical History. . 

Chapter XI. Ecclesiastical History — continued. 

Chapter XII. Ecclesiastical History — continued, . 

Chapter XII 1-2. Ecclesiastical History Concluded, 

Chapter XIII. Educational History. 

Chapter XIV. Educational History Concluded. 

Chapter XV. Early Indian History, 

Chapter XVI. The Revolutionary War, . 

Chapter XVII. The War of the Rebellion, 

Chapter XVIII. New Hampshire Militia, 

Chapter XIX. County Organizations. 

Chapter XX. Roads and Turnpikes. 

Chapter XXI. Bridges, Ferries, and C;inais. . 

Chapter XXII. Perambulation of Lines, 

Chapter XXIII. Mills, Workshops, .Stores, and Hotels 

Chapter XX 1\'. Beneficent Institutions, . 

Chapter XX\'. The Town House and Pounds, 

Chapter .X.W'I. The Aims-House, 



'3 

25 
31 

50 
59 
67 
81 
1 1 1 
129 
146 
172 
190 

195 
207 
225 
251 
269 

277 
284 
290 
316 
3'9 
334 
353 
359 
>f'3 



CONTENTS. 



Chapter XXVII. The Cemeteries 

Chapter XXVIII. Tax Collectors and Magistrates 
Chapter XXIX. Agriculture of the Town, 
Chapter XXX. Villages and other Locations, 
Chapter XXXI. Physicians and Lawyers, 
Chapter XXXII. Antiquities, .... 
Chapter XXXIII. The Tornado, 
Chapter XXXIV. Whipping the Cat, Etc., . 
Chapter XXXV. Visit of His Satanic Majesty, 
Chapter XXXVI. Conclusion, .... 
Chapter XXXVII. Genealogy and Biography. 



367 
371 
381 
39^ 
397 
413 
417 
424 

430 
433 

439 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



<S' 



Daniel Webster, full length — Frontispiece. 

John J. Dearborn. 

Henry P. Kolfe. 

liirthplace of Daniel Webster, 

Map of the Town, 

Interior view of the Old Congregational Church. 

Webster Plow, . 



Breaking and Swingling Fla; 

.Spinning Wool, Cotton, and 

.South Road — The Crank, 

Thomas W. Thompson, 

(ieorge W. Nesmith, 

Frank R. Woodward, 

Ichabod Hartlett, 

Samuel C. Bartlett, Sen., 

Samuel C. Bartlett, Jun., 
\William H. Bartlett, 

Moses H. Bean, 

William B. Dunlap. 
Joel Eastman. . 

Daniel li. Gale, 

-Moses Greeley, 
Carlos S. Greeley, 
Nathaniel Greeley, 
Joseph M. Greeley, 
Charles B. Haddock, 
George H. Hutchings, 
Thomas D. Little, . 
Eliphalet Little, 
William M. Pingree, 
Stephen I'ingree, 
William J'ingree, 
Charles C. Rogers, . 
Isaac Sanborn, 
The Sawyer Homestead. 
Nathaniel Sawyer, . 
John C. Smith, 
Porter B. Wat.son. . 
Daniel Webster. 



ow, 



^4 
'45 
386 
388 
389 
391 
407 
409 
447 
453 
457 
459 
461 

475 

544 

*5«- 

558 

610 

614 

616 

61S 

6^5 
641 

655 
656 
710 
711 

712 

721 
724 
732 
757 
794 
826 
836 



PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. 



BY HENRY P. ROLFE. 



"Sit at the feet of History. Through night 
Of years the steps of virtue she shall trace, 
And show the earlier ages, where her sight 
Can pierce the eternal shadows o'er her face, 
When from the genial cradle of our race 
Went forth the tribes." 



The name, Salisbury, is derived from the T>atin sains, which 
signifies safety, or health, and the Anglo-Saxon "burg," or 
"burh," a corporate town which is not a city — hence, the town 
of health and safety. 

It was named directly from Salisbury, Massachusetts, which 
was so called from Salisbury, England. 

It is situated in latitude 43° 23', on the west bank of the 
Merrimack and Pemigewasset rivers, sixteen miles north of 
Concord and eighty miles from Boston. It was originally 
bounded north by Andover, east by the rivers above named, 
separating it from Xorthfield (then Canterbury) and Sanborn- 
ton, south by Boscawen and Warner, and west by Warner and 
what was Kearsarge Gore, and contained 28,600 acres. 

If, as Covvper has said, "God made the country and man 
made the town," Salisbury remains, at the end of nearly a 
century and a half from its settlement, very nearly as God 
made it. It has been the most productive town in the whole 
State. It has produced more brains than any other municipal- 
ity in New Hampshire. There are three, perhaps four, hamlets 
in the town, but the main dependence of her people has always 
been upon the native products of the soil. 



2 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Over much of the history of this distinguished town the 
twilight of uncertainty has already thrown its shadows, and 
the long, dark night of forgetfulness is fast descending upon 
her traditions and her unrecorded acts. Soon the waters of 
oblivion will settle over them forever, unless the historian shall 
come forward to rescue them from the tomb. The lustre of 
her great names should be made to shine down the track of 
time and the fame of her illustrious deeds should never perish. 

" When lulius' temple, Claudius' aqueducts, 
Agrippa's baths, and I'om])ey's theatre; 
Nay, Rome itself shall n(jt be found at all. 
Historian's books shall live: — these stronf^ records, 
These deathless monuments alone shall show 
What and how great the Roman Empire was." 

The great Father of History, who was moved with a desire 
"to rescue from oblivion the memory of former events and 
render tribute to the many great and wonderful actions of the 
Greeks and Barbarians," had no more worthy themes for his 
immortal pen than this noble old town of Salisbury furnishes. 
For more than a decade of years her hardy and fearless settlers 
were the very pioneers of civilization, stood upon its extreme 
verge, repelled the assaults of savage beasts and more savage 
men, defended their rude dwellings " from violence and destruc- 
tion," and bared their brows to the tomahawk and scalping- 
knife and their breasts to the Indian bullet. "Through the 
fire' and blood of a seven years revolutionary war" her sons 
shrunk from "no toil and no danger," that they might estab- 
lish and save to themselves and their posterity "a name and a 
country," and that, too, a free country. For several years after 
its settlement there rose no smoke from the habitation of any 
white man, between Salisbury and the settlements on the rivers 
of Canada. Her women were slain by the tomahawk and her 
men and maidens were ambushed, seized, made to run the 
guantlet, and carried away into captivity; and while the inhab- 
itants of other towns were obliged to abandon their recently 
made homes and flee for protection to stronger and more popu- 
lous settlements, the stalwart inhabitants of Salisbury stood 
firm, built their cabins, and defended them. 



PKKLIMINAKY CHAPTER. 3 

When Philip Call, Nathaniel Mcloon, Benjamin Pettengill, 
John and Ebenezer Webster, Andrew liohonan, and Edward 
Eastman and their associates built their rude dwellings in Salis- 
bury, then Stevenstown, they formed the exposed picket-line of 
civilization in New Hampshire, and they maintained it till the 
peace of 1763, notwithstanding Nathaniel Meloon, his wife and 
three children, were seized by the Indians and carried away to 
Canada, and sold into captivity, and the wife of Philip Call was 
murdered, and Samuel Scribner and Robert Barbour were also 
captured and sold into captivity, at Chamblee and St. Francis. 

When the clash of arms with the mother country came, the 
people of Salisbury were ready at the country's call, and every 
one of her voters signed the Association Test, except two ; and it 
is no dishonor to their names to mention them, for they declined 
to sign on account of the fancied indignity implied in demand- 
ing that two such devoted men should sign their names to 
recommend their patriotism. Salisbury presented an unbroken 
column of patriots, and their zeal never abated and their con- 
stancy never wavered until peace was proclaimed. 

When General Burgoyne was marching with his splendid 
army through the State of New York, at the tap of the drum 
Captain PZbenezer Webster and his comrades started for the 
field of Bennington. Most opportune was their arrival, and 
valiantly did the soldiers of Salisbury represent their town in 
this first successful battle of the Revolution. The result of the 
battle of Bennington strengthened and cheered the cause of 
American independence, revived the drooping spirits of the 
Continental Congress, and sent a thrill of joy and confidence to 
the hearts of our little armies throughout the colonies. 

Before setting sail with his army, to crush "the colonial 
rebellion," the song says of General Burgoyne: 

" lie entered the House a.s mute as a mouse, 
With armor and shield to defend him, 
And straightway on board went this elegant Lord 
With all iiis blackguards to attend him." 

When he reached the borders of New York he exclaimed : 

"Boys, beat up the drum, the Indians will come, 
You ne'er need grant a petition." 



4 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

The soldiers from Salisbury came marching back to their 
homes from Bennington, singing: 

"And now the poor soul is on his parole, 
Down by the banks of Stillwater." 

When, in January, after the Declaration of Independence, 
General Washington with his little, diminished, defeated army 
of four thousand men crept into winter quarters at Morristown, 
when the difficulties seemed almost insurmountable, Congress 
discouraged, the Middle and Southern States full of cruel, 
revengeful and malignant tories, no man in Salisbury quailed, 
and the whole population were "steadfast, immovable, always 
abounding" in zeal and devotion to their country's cause. 

When in the winter of lyj'j-y^ Washington retired to winter 
quarters at Valley Forge, with his army of forty-seven thousand 
men diminished to less than twenty thousand, and the nation 
was nearly exhausted by the sacrifices made and the great effort 
put forth, the father of the wife of Rev. Jonathan Searle, Jethro 
Sanborn, of Sandown, a sea-captain of considerable means, gave 
half his fortune (more than twenty thousand dollars in gold and 
Spanish coin) to buy shoes and blankets for our bare-footed 
army at Valley Forge. The agent of the government gave in 
exchange to Captain Sanborn new, clean continental money, 
which he retained till his death, and having willed it to his 
daughter, Mrs. Margaret Sanborn Searle, all that was ever real- 
ized from it was seven dollars, which his granddaughter paid as 
taxes upon a chaise. 

In the cause of religion Salisbury was not a whit behind any 
other town in the State. Religious teachers were maintained 
almost from the first sound of the settler's axe, and in 1773 a 
"learned minister," Rev. Jonathan Searle, a graduate of Har- 
vard College, settled over the Congregational church, and con- 
tinued to minister and break the bread of life to her people for 
eighteen consecutive years. The church then established has 
continued to this day. Long before Boscawen or Concord 
made a move Salisbury had established an academy, one of the 
noted institutions of learning in New Hampshire, where Daniel 



PRELIMINARY CHAPTEK. 5 

Webster and his brother Ezekiel, Ichabod Bartlett, John A. 
Dix, Charles B. Haddock, William H. Bartlett, and Joel East- 
man studied for college. Before Boscawen or Concord, Salis- 
bury had furnished a bell to her church. Early in the present 
century a library of three hundred and twenty-four volumes was 
established, of books "that contained the best of information." 
W^hen the Merrimack County Agricultural Society was formed 
Salisbury furnished more members than any other town, Salis- 
bury furnishing thirty-six, Concord only about two-thirds that 
number. 

But when wc come to speak of her great men, how illustrious 
does this noble old town appear. What an array of names does 
she present — what a roll of honor does she furnish! The 
Websters, the Bartletts, the Eastmans, the Haddocks, the Pet- 
tengills, the Pingrees, the Smiths, the Sawyers, the Gales, and 
the Greeleys. Thomas W. Thompson, Richard Fletcher, Parker 
Noyes, Israel W. Kelley, George W. Nesmith, Samuel I. Wells, 
Jonathan Searle, and Thomas Worcester became her citizens 
by adoption. There has been but one man who has gained the 
title of "Defender of the Constitution," and he was born and 
reared upon the soil of Salisbury. Fisher Ames has said "that 
the most substantial glory of a country is its great men." 
Governor Boutwell, of Massachusetts, when receiving the sons 
of New Hampshire who went to Boston to attend the funeral 
obsequies of Daniel Webster, said : "New Hampshire has pro- 
duced no other such son and Massachusetts no other such 
statesman as Daniel Webster." And Theodore Parker, who 
was the best critic of character and accomplishments that we 
knew in Mr. Webster's time, said of him that "he was the 
greatest orator that had ever spoken the language of Milton 
and Burke." 

Ichabod Bartlett sheds lustre upon the town in which he was 
born. He who "could measure swords with Webster, Clay, 
and Jeremiah Mason, without either shield or shame," and who 
obtained the first rank at the head of the New Hampshire bar, 
in the company of Smith, Mason, Sullivan and Levi Woodbury, 
brings to the town of his nativity a precious jewel to be placed 



O HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

in the crown of her rejoicing. Ezekiel Webster, Charles B. 
Haddock, Joel Eastman, Samuel C. Bartlett, the present learned 
President of Dartmouth College, and William H. Bartlett, our 
beau ideal of a learned and just judge, cut off, alas ! in the morn- 
ing, before his sun had reached its zenith, fill up such a roll of 
honor as no town in New Hampshire can furnish. Said Mr. 
Philips, the young Irish orator, "It matters not what immediate 
spot may have been the birth-place of such a man as Washing- 
ton." But it does matter to us, the natives of Salisbury, and 
to their descendants, what immediate spot was the birth-place 
of Daniel Webster and the other distinguished men whose 
names we have mentioned. We take pride in them. We love 
to think of them as neighbors and townsmen of our ancestors. 
We rejoice in their achievements and feel a glow of satisfaction 
that they are an inheritance of our own. " Not to know what took 
place before one was born," says Cicero, "is forever to remain 
a child, caring nothing for the memories of the past and hoping 
nothing for the destiny of the future." 

The chief charms of history are found in the recognition of 
the merits of those who have preceded us. How destitute of 
interest are mere facts and incidents, unless enriched and beau- 
tified with biographical sketches of those who were actors upon 
the preceding stage. " Mere names and dates do not in any 
proper sense make history or biography." Memory can never 
be surfeited by a knowledge of what has been achieved by the 
gifted and the good, if we can be made to feel a personal inter- 
est in the authors. Shall we then know nothing of our progen- 
itors .'' Shall the line of the race from which we sprung be 
severed at our birth, and shall the living generation have no 
retrospect, but keep its eyes forever steadily gazing into the 
uncertain and illusive future, when there are so many of the 
glories of the past shining along the pathway which has been 
traveled by our ancestors.^ There is no command to us "to 
look not behind neither stay in all the plain." There is no city 
of iniquity to "look towards," no "smoke of the country" goes 
up from the plains of Salisbury. No lurid fires light up its 
consuming dwellings. It is a town of safety, where the twin 



A 



PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. 7 

angels of civilization, Education and Religion, were welcomed 
and hospitably entertained, where enterprise had a home, where 
domestic virtue was constantly cherished, where knowledge 
increased, where patriotism was a ruling passion, where law and 
order reigned supreme, and where illustrious men and noble 
women were born and reared. 

In the days of small things, in the midst of dangers, hard- 
ships and privations, the people remembered the source from 
whence came all spiritual and temporal blessings, and builded 
and maintained their temples for the worship of the Most High. 
Neither Exeter or Andover, Gilmanton or Atkinson, all noted 
seats of learning, can furnish such a catalogue of pupils as the 
rural town of Salisbury. 

Cicero and Fisher Ames have been quoted, but nothing in 
ancient or modern times better illustrates the duties and im- 
portance of the historian than what has very recently been said 
by a distinguished and venerable son of New Hamp.shire, Hon. 
Marshall P. Wilder : 

"To know nothing of our ancestors or from whence we came, 
to have no reverence for the precious memories of the past, is 
to ignore the elements and influences which have made us what 
we are, is to repudiate the natural instincts of the human heart 
and to suppress the aspirations and hopes of a soul that is to 
course on through the endless circles of eternity. And what 
more precious testimonial of your love of kindred and home can 
you leave than that which provides for the transmission of the 
history of your ancestors, yourself and your family, to future 
generations. '^ And how consoling the thought that when you 
shall have been gathered to your fathers this history shall live 
through all coming time as a precious inheritance to your de- 
scendants. And who so dead to sympathy and affection, to 
kindred and country, that would not preserve the record of his 
ancestors, the ])lace of his birth, the home of his childhood, 
and the sacred spot where repose the loved and the lost ones 
of earth ?" 

Charles C. Coffin, when contemi:)lating the publication of a 
history of Boscawen, called upon the Rev. Ur. liouton. who had 



8 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

written a most excellent history of Concord, and was then 
engaged in editing the Provincial Records of New Hampshire, 
for the State ; and he, more than any man of his time, was 
conversant with the early history of the State and had a most 
intimate knowledge of the eminent men who have shed lustre 
upon the different towns in New Hampshire. To encourage 
and stimulate Mr. Coffin to undertake the pious work of writing 
that history, he said: "Mr. Coffin, you must write the history 
of Boscawen. No other town has exercised a more potent 
influence for good ; none can show a brighter record, or such a 
roll of honor." Ah, noble, illustrious old town! Thanks to 
Mr. Coffin, the glory of thy deeds shall not fade, and the fame 
of thy sons shall not perish from the memory of men. Thou 
hast truly a brilliant roll of honor. Thy influence for good has 
been most potent ; thy record is bright, illumined with brilliant 
deeds, fragrant with christian influences, and adorned by the 
constancy and the heroism of thy gallant sons. Honor to her 
Dix, her Fessenden, her Greens, her Farmers, her Littles. 

"Side by side" Boscawen and Salisbury went through the 
Revolution ; " shoulder to shoulder" they sustained the country 
in the War of 1812 ; and in the War of the Rebellion their sons 
fell on the same field, and their bones lie mouldering together 
in the same unknown graves. And to-day a great nation of 
fifty millions of people stands up, and with uncovered head 
makes its obeisance to her soldiers and statesmen. Within a 
limit of ten miles square, including Boscawen and Salisbury, 
no other rural space of equal extent on this habitable globe has 
produced such a column of great names. 

It has been said that "the early settlers of Salisbury sat in 
the light of the civilization" of Boscawen. "Not till 1773," 
says Mr. Coffin, "thirty-three years after the settlement of the 
Rev. Phineas Stevens, was there a minister in Salisbury." But 
Nathaniel Meloon, Philip Call, and Ebenezer Webster, from 
1748 to 1763, stood guard for Boscawen against the French and 
Indians, and constituted the exposed picket-line for fifteen 
years; and no cabin was abandoned and no part of the settle- 
ment in Salisbury was deserted, notwithstanding Nathaniel 



PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. 9 

Meloon's and Ebenezer Webster's dwellings were the outposts 
of civilization in New Hampshire. No minister in Salisbury 
till 1773? Rev. Jonathan Searle preached in Salisbury several 
years before he was settled in 1773 ; even in 1769; and relij;ious 
services were held in houses, and preaching supported as soon 
as any considerable number of settlers were located in the 
township. But softly, eminent historian of l^oscawen ! Salis- 
bury settlers never sat in the lurid light of the incendiary fire 
that consumed their only house dedicated to the worship of 
Almighty God. Salisbury men never applied the midnight 
torch to the district school-house, because it was not located 
exactly where one section of the inhabitants desired it. Salis- 
bury never used or adopted the whipping-post. Salisbury never 
prosecuted her citizens for traveling a few miles on Sunday 
morning, to reach a sick and suffering family. Salisbury never 
dragged a non-resistant preacher from her churches, simply 
because, unasked, he attempted to speak to the congregation a 
few words in opposition to that "sum of all villainies," Ameri- 
can slavery; but in 1819, in the Legislature, in the person of 
Ichabod Bartlett, Salisbury furnished the champion of religious 
toleration. 

"None can show such a roll of honor .^" Gently, venerated 
historian! John Adams Di.x, William Pitt Fessenden, Samuel 
Wood, Ebenezer Price, and Jacob Little ! How nobly you 
served your country and your race in your day and generation. 
You appear to us as bright stars in our firmament as you look 
down upon us from your celestial abodes. iUit — 

"Ye stars that glitter in the skies 
And gayly dance before our eyes, 
What are you when the sun shall rise.'" 

What are you in the presence of him who stood on Plymouth 
Rock, with the Pilgrim Fathers, in 1820; on Ikmker Hill, with 
Lafayette and the survivors of the Revolution, in 1825; in 
Faneuil Hall in 1826, commemorating the lives and services of 
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, and in the Senate of the 
United States, in iS^i, in an encounter with the monster of 



lO HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

nullification? Your brilliancy is almost obscured in the pres- 
ence of such a luminary. 



Within the original limits of Salisbury, in the new town of 
Franklin, on the Webster Farm, is located the "Orphans' Home 
of New Hampshire." On the soil of Salisbury, the home of 
Daniel Webster, of his father and mother, near where sleeps 
their silent and sacred dust, is located the first Orphans' Home 
outside of city limits in New England, an institution whose 
noble benevolence as a State charity is universal. It was estab- 
lished and dedicated in 1871. Under its guardian and shelter- 
ing care are gathered the poor and destitute orphans of all 
nationalities, and the waifs that have been thrown out upon the 
stormy sea of life. This heaven-directed home receives as its 
beneficiaries all perishing children of want, without regard to 
their social status, nationality or complexion. It not only takes 
in its arms the little orphans of the State, but it folds in its 
gentle and tender embrace those that are more unfortunate than 
orphans, rendered so by the dissolute character and poverty of 
their parents. It binds up the broken hearts of the little unfor- 
tunates who have been crushed by the demon of intemperance ; 
those whose hopes would be blasted and whose prospects would 
be ruined by dissolute and drunken parents. These children 
are cared for morally, intellectually, and physically. A school 
is in session during the year, all are members of the Sunday 
school, and all have the benefit of divine service upon the Sab- 
bath and of religious teachers. 

Upon this home of benevolence, located in a spot as lovely 
as earth and sky and air and sun can make it, as beautiful as 
the landscape and the softly-fanning breezes of heaven can ren- 
der it, upon that fairy-like scene of Lower Franklin, at the 
Elms Farm, is concentrated the united charities of all religious 
denominations who worship Him who came to bind up the 
broken-hearted and to seek and save those who are lost, and 
who said, "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid 
them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." 



PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. II 

Where can such a home find another such appropriate spot — 
interesting in its traditions, rich in its historical associations, 
and charming in all its surroundings? — where the greatest 
intellect of America grew, expanded and matured, and where 
the great master of human speech dwelt and had his home ? 

But let the poet tell the tale : 

" What hallowed memories arise 
Within our hearts and dim our eyes. 
We think of him without a peer, 
Who spent his happy boyhood here, 
And with his l^rother, brave and true, 
Ate honest bread and earned it too. 
We call to mind his mother dear. 
Whose precious dust lies buried near; 
Her record is preserved on high 
In characters that cannot die." 



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HISTOKY OF SAygBURY 



CHAPTER I 



NATURAL HISTORY OF THE TOWN. 

" In plains that room for shadows make 

In skirting hills to lie; 
liound in hy streams which give and take 

Their colors from the sky; 
Ur on the mountain's crest sublime, 

Or down the open glade, 
O, what have I to do with time ? 

For this the day was made." 

DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY. 

Si.xty years ago Moses Eastman, one of Salisbury's most 
eminent men, gave a description of the natural features of the 
town, in plain, terse style, which we now adopt : 

"This town is pleasantly situated on the western banks of 
the Pemigewasset and Merrimack rivers, fifteen or si.xteen miles 
north of Concord. 

"It is bounded on the east by the Pemigewasset and Merri- 
mack, on the south by l^oscawen, on the north by Andover, and 
on the west by a tract of land once called Kearsarge Gore, lately 
annexed to Warner. It is four miles wide, from north to south, 
and nine miles long, frorri east to west. 

"A short turn on the Merrimack, to the east, forms a fine 
tract of fertile intervale in the southeast corner of the town, 
which consists of about three hundred acres, and appears to be 
an alluvial of the Merrimack. In this place are as pleasant, 
productive and valuable farms as any in the town. 



14 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

"The original growth of wood on land adjacent to the rivers 
was pitch, Norway and white pine," with occasional elms, 
maples and birches. 

"From the intervale and pine lands on the Merrimack, there 
is a gradual ascent to the uplands, which afford a pleasing 
variety of hill and dale, until you arrive at the valley of the 
l^lackwater river. The hilly lands, in their natural state, were 
covered with a heavy growth of the sugar maple, white maple, 
beech, birch, elm, ash, and red and white oak. The valleys 
were interspersed with evergreens. 

"The soil of the uplands is strong, deep and loamy, and has 
a substratum of pan. 

" From the Blackwater valley there is a rapid ascent to the 
assemblage of hills which form the basis of Kearsarge mountain. 

"The scenery is grand, beautiful and picturesque. The dis- 
tant, azure mountains, the fertilizing streams, the cultivated 
fields, the glens and valleys, and extensive pasture grounds, 
interspersed with beautiful copses of woodland, conspire to 
render it delightful to the eye, and to afford fine subjects for 
the pen." 

RIVERS. 

"The east part of the town is watered by the Pemigewasset 
and Merrimack rivers. The union of the Pemigewasset and the 
Winnipesauke forms the Merrimack. 

"Boat navigation terminates a short distance above the junc- 
tion of those rivers. When a few obstructions shall be removed 
and one or two locks erected on the Merrimack, above Concord, 
by the medium of the Middlesex canal boat navigation will be 
rendered safe and easy from Boston to the East Village in 
Salisbury. 

" Blackwater, called a branch of the Contoocook in Richard 
Hazen's map of the township — 1736-7 — passes through the 
western part of Salisbury. It takes its rise in the hilly regions 
of Danbury, Wilmot, and New London, and in its passage 
receiving considerable accession from tributary streams trav- 
erses Andover, and passing round the east end of Beech Hill, 



DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY. 

throws itself into Salisbury in a large bay, which abounds in 
pickerel, perch, eels, and a variety of other fish. At the outlet 
of this bay there is a j^radual descent for more than a mile, 
which affords excellent sites for mills. I'rom thence it rolls its 
dingy waters through Salisbury and Hoscawen, and at length 
unites with the Contoocook in the northern part of Hopkinton. 

MOUNTAINS. 

" A considerable portion of Kearsarge range is within the 
bounds of Salisbury, the northwest corner bound of which 
extends nearly to the summit. The altitude of this mountain, 
as taken by Captain Partridge in August, 1820, by means of the 
barometer, was found to be 2461 feet above tide-water. It is 
composed of a range of hills, running from north to south a 
distance of about six miles. Its general aspect is ragged and 
craggy. Its northeast and southwest parts are steep and pre- 
cipitous. It may be ascended with pretty severe exertions from 
the northwest or southeast corners. Its summit was formerly 
covered with evergreens, but it has long been stripped of its 
primitive honors by the combined agency of fire and wind. It 
now presents a bald rock of granite, many parts of which appear 
to be in a state of gradual disintegration. 

" In the spring of 1819 a large mass of rock, several tons in 
weight, was loosened from the southern declivity of Hald hill 
and precipitated with great violence to the valley below, carry- 
ing 'all before it' for the space of forty rods in length and four 
in breadth. 

"The aspect from the summit of this mountain is magnificent 
and beautiful. Snow and ice have been observed upon this 
mountain in the month of July, in the clefts of the rocks on a 
northern exposure. 

MINERALOGY. 

"The mineralogical productions have never been scientifically 
examined. The prevailing rock is granite. A very fine quarry 
has lately been discovered on Mr. William Webster's farm, on 



l6 HISTORY OF SALISBURV. 

the east side of 'Meeting House hill.' It yields readily to the 
wedge and hammer, has a due proportion of its component 
parts, and yields in beauty to no rock of that description in any- 
other part of the State." 

SUPPLEMENTARY DESCRIPTION. 

To make this chapter of our history complete, we must add 
to the sketch which we have copied and enlarge on the descrip- 
tion of the natural features of the town. 

The surface of the town is very uneven. It is hilly, and in 
the western section mountainous. But these broken areas afford 
excellent pasturage and compensate for all the disadvantages 
they occasion. The soil, which is of a granitic character and 
often loamy, is productive of abundant harvests. It is retentive 
in its nature, having a substratum of hard-pan or compact 
gravel, which prevents loss of fertility and counteracts the 
effects of drouth. The extreme variation in the weather is 
from 25° below zero to 98° above, which limits seldom occur. 
The average for the year is not far from 44° above zero. Thun- 
der showers, though frequent, are not destructive nor severe. It 
is not unusual in summer time to see a shower in the northwest 
strike Kearsarge mountain and divide, one part passing west of 
the mountain and the other moving down the valley of the 
Blackwater, while the highlands of the eastern part of the town 
are not reached. The warm rays of the sun, attracted by the 
many hill slopes and the rocky soil, followed by irrigating 
showers, cause the productions common to the climate to ripen 
quite as early as do corresponding crops in towns further south. 

HILLS. 

Scar/es, or "Meeting House hill," called "Mount Zion" on 
the Proprietors' book, and "Mount Pisgah " by Mr. Webster, 
was named for the first settled minister, to which was added its 
first supplementary name from the fact that it was the location 
of Salisbury's Zion, or its first church. It is near the centre of 
the original town, and its summit was the scene of the alarm 



SUPPLEMENTARY DESCRIPTION. IJ 

fires, which were kindled as signals in the perilous days of 
the pioneers, and presents many magnificent landscape views. 
At one time it was thickly settled, but now only a single set of 
buildings remains. 

Lovcriii's Hill is situated on the centre range-way, west of 
Searle's hill, and is of steep ascent. It was named for Samuel 
Loverin, who resided there. 

Calef Hill, named for the Calefs who resided on its summit, 
is situated near Boscawen line, about midway of the southern 
boundary of Salisbury. 

Beans Hill is near the Union Meeting House, and was so 
called for Sinkler Bean, who located in that section in 1766. 
The Indians are reported to have occupied this hill as a lookout, 
and its northern ravine is said to have been used as a place of 
retreat when pursued by the white man. By the upturning of 
an old tree, a few years ago, an Indian oven was disclosed, 
having been entirely covered by the roots of the tree. It is 
two feet in depth, with a circumference of six feet, carefully 
stoned on the sides and bottom. It is covered by a flat stone, 
through which a round opening is cut. 

Bald Hill is a spur of the Kearsarge, situated on the western 
line of the town. 

Smith's Hill is situated easterly of Searle's hill and is in that 
part of the town which now belongs to Franklin. It had its 
name from Lieutenant Robert Smith, the first permanent set- 
tler in that vicinity. 

Raccoon Hill lies northeasterly of Centre Road Village. It 
is a good farming section though the soil is stubborn until sub- 
dued by the plow and the hoe, when it becomes profitably pro- 
ductive. For many years it has been known as the home of the 
Shaws, who are among the best farmers in the town. 

PLAINS. 

Notwithstanding the many hills of the town, and the moun- 
tainous territory, there is no inconsiderable portion of plain 
land, particularly in the western section, on both sides of the 
Blackwater. Nearly one-sixth part of the town has a sandy soil. 
2 



1 8 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

KEARSARGE. 

This noted mountain rises abruptly from a comparatively 
level country. It is situated seventy miles southwest of the 
White Mountains, in the towns of Salisbury, Andover, Warner, 
Sutton and Wilmot. Its height is 2943.5 feet above tide-water 
and 943.5 feet higher than Ragged Mountain, in Andover. For 
the accompanying notes the compiler is indebted to John M. 
Shirley, Esq., of Andover, who has recently prepared an elab- 
orate and carefully studied historical address on Kearsarge 
Mountain, in Merrimack county, the occasion of which was a 
discussion which originated a few years after the sinking of the 
Confederate gunboat Alabama, June 19, 1864, by the Union 
sloop-of-war Kearsarge. Carroll county claimed that the moun- 
tain within its borders was the original Kearsarge, and that the 
mountain in Merrimack county derived its name from an English 
hunter named Hezekiah Currier Sargent, who was supposed to 
have had his home sovieiuJiere upon it. Governor Harriman, in 
his History of Warner, says: "It is a sufficient answer to this 
to say that no such a man ever lived on Kearsarge Mountain, 
on the top or on either side of it. The story is a fabrication." 
Mr. Shirley's address is a thorough explosion of that fallacy, 
and proves that the mountain in Merrimack county is the true 
Kearsarge. 

The Indian name for this mountain is Coowissewasseck. 

In the Journal of Capt. Samuel Willard, of Lancaster, Mass., 
a noted Indian ranger, a record is made of seeing the mountain, 
and writing it Cusagec. In 1652, Governor Endicott explored 
the Merrimack river to Lake Winnepesauke, and made a plan 
of the survey, which was recently brought to light by George 
E. Emery, of Lynn, Mass. It bears no date, but must have 
been executed before 1670. On this plan the mountain is 
spelled Carasaga. July 4, 1733, the proprietors of what is now 
Boscawen hired Richard Hazen to "make a plan of the planta- 
tion," a copy of which map is in the possession of the compiler 
of this history. Along the northern and western boundary line 
is represented an irregular line of hills which he calls "Kiasarja 



SUPPLEMENTARY DESCRIPTION. I9 

Hills." In Clough's survey of Stevenstown (Salisbury) is a 
sketch of the mountain, with the inscription, "An exceeding 
high mountain, called by the Indians Coowissewasseck, and by 
the English Ciresay." 

It is not easy to convey, by the use of English letters, the 
precise sounds given by the Indians. The reader must bear in 
mind that the parties, spelling this name, had never seen it 
in print, that they had no communication with each other. 
They spelled it as it sounded when pronounced to them. Al- 
though spelled differently, the pronunciations are somewhat 
similar. It is often pronounced Ki-ah-sarge. 

Mitchell and Hazen's map, of 1750, gives the mountain in 
Merrimack county in its proper place, and spells it " Kyasage 
Mts." The same can be said of Holland's map, published in 
1784, the orthography being "Kyar-sage Mt., by the Indians 
Cowissewaschook." In the first official map of the province, 
published in 1792, it was spelled Kearseage, and in 1794, 
Kearsarge, since which time the latter spelling has been most 
generally observed. A plan of Kearsarge Gore, drawn by Col. 
Henry Gerrish, previous to 1757, spells it Kaysarge. In the 
Proprietors' records of Sutton it is spelled Kiasargg Hill. 

L.\KES AND PONDS. 

Webster Lake, so called in compliment to Mr. Webster, who 
made frequent visits to it in his hours of recreation, is located 
in that ]:)art of Franklin which was taken from Andover. We 
appropriate it from its association with Salisbury, and because 
its waters reach the river by a course through territory that 
belonged to us. Mr. Webster called it "Lake Como," from 
its resemblance to the Italian water of that name. It has been 
called Chance pond and Great pond. It is a pleasant summer 
resort, and in winter is often visited by fishermen. 

Tucker s Pond is the largest body of water within the present 
limits of Salisbury, and was named for the Tucker family, whose 
older members were the first settlers upon its shores. In early 
records it is called Almsbury pond, from its proximity to War- 
ner, which was called Almsbury at the time of its settlement. 



20 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

GreciiougJi s Pond, known also as Cook's pond, was named 
for Richard Greenough, and is situated in the westerly section 
of the town, near the South road. 

Wilder s Pond, named for Captain Luke Wilder, a large land- 
holder and one of the first merchants in the town, is located 
about half-way up Kearsarge mountain, and is fed by mountain 
springs. On the old maps it is called Kearsarge pond. Its 
outlet divides into three streams, which empty into the Black- 
water river. 

BROOKS. 

Bog, Beaver Dam, or Bowley Brook, called Buttermilk brook 
on Richard Hazen's map, 1736, rises in the meadow southwest 
of the Centre Road Village, and flows southerly into Couch's 
pond. Taking the same name at the outlet of the pond, it pur- 
sues a southerly course, passing through Great pond in the town 
of Webster, and emptying into Contoocook river. 

CJiance Pond Brook, or Mill brook, takes the water from Web- 
ster Lake to the river. Although the lake from which it flows 
has borne various names, the stream has had but one since the 
occupation of the town. On an early map of Andover and 
Salisbury, before they bore their present names, it is called 
Clough's brook. Its outlet is 446 feet above sea level. 

Stirrup-Iron Brook rises in the meadow-land south of Raccoon 
hill, flows southeasterly and empties into the Merrimack, a half 
mile below the south line of the town. It received its name, as 
the story goes, from a stirrup-iron lost in the stream by General 
Henry Dearborn, of revolutionary fame. 

Punch Brook, so called as early as 1767, has also sometimes 
been designated as Hancock brook, for Mr. John Hancock, who 
resided near by. On this brook was built the Proprietors' mill. 

Wigzvag Brook. A story is told regarding the naming of this 
and the preceding brook. A company of men, it is said, started 
from Penacook (Concord) with a cask or keg of rum, for Ply- 
mouth. It was fastened to a pole by ropes, and carried by a 
man at each end. They followed the Indian trail, and reaching 
the brook first named, rested and partook freely of punch, made 



SUPPLEMENTARY DESCRIPTION. 21 

from the contents of the keg and the clear water of the stream. 
From the drink they took on its bank they gave it the name of 
Punch brook. Cherishing pleasant sensations of their experi- 
ence here, they rested again at the next brook. By this time 
their steps became unsteady, and their cask swung to the right 
and left in a wig-wag way. They therefore called the second 
brook the Wigwag or crooked brook. 

VARIETIES OF TREES AND PLANTS. 

When the first settlers came to this town they found it a 
wilderness. In the forests could be seen nearly forty varieties 
of trees, the most valuable among them being the mighty white 
pines, which were marked with the "arrowhead," as reserved 
for the royal navy. To cut one of these was a crime which was 
punished with much severity. Though they might never be 
required for masts, they were the king's property and must not 
be removed. They were often found of great height, even 
exceeding one hundred and fifty feet in length. Nearly all the 
original varieties of forest trees are still found, though usually 
of smaller growth than formerly. At the present day we find 
the poplar and bass wood, and several varieties of beech, oak, 
birch and maple, which were not in the early times designated 
as distinct varieties. We may also add the ash, the elm, lever 
wood, chestnut, hickory and butternut, though rare, and most 
of the evergreens. The flora of Salisbury possesses nothing 
not common in towns of corresponding soils, and demands no 
especial mention. 

WILD ANI.^L\L^, P.IRDS AND REPTILES. 

These forests abounded, at the time of the early settlers, in 
black and brown bears, catamounts, wild cats, and grey wolves. 
Moose and red deer were not uncommon. The beaver, musk- 
rat and otter were often seen, as were the mink, ferret, red fox 
and raccoon, which are now but rarely found. The grey or 
silver fox, the woodchuck, red, grey, striped, and flying squirrels, 
the hedgehog, skunk and rabbit, still occupy our woods and fields. 
The rivers and ponds are stocked with common fish, though 



22 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

none have been put into our waters by authority of the State. 
The brook and mountain streams furnish the wary trout. The 
different varieties of fish found in our waters are said to be the 
common perch, flat-side, horned-pout, two or three varieties of 
suckers, the grass-fish or ordinary shiner, the eel, dace, and pick- 
erel. Specimens of the black bass have also been taken. For- 
merly the shad and the salmon, and perhaps other varieties, 
frequented the Merrimack. Naturalists tell us that the shad, 
coming to the junction of the Winnepesauke and Pemigewasset 
rivers at East Salisbury or Franklin, instinctively continued on 
to the lake, for spawning, while the salmon invariably sought 
the waters of Squam or Newfound lakes. 

The birds found here are common to other sections of the 
State, in the same latitude, and need not be enumerated. The 
same is true in regard to snakes and the ordinary reptile tribes. 

GEOLOGY. 

The entire area of the town of Salisbury rests upon a granitic 
base, though its geological aspect is somewhat varied. At the 
close of the Laurentian period of the Eozoic era, which was the 
first period of the first era, according to the classification of the 
geological epochs, the earliest dry land of the State made its 
appearance, constituting an archipelago of about thirty islands. 
One of these embraced a small portion of the territory of Salis- 
bury and Warner ; the northernmost section being in Salisbury 
and identical with the neighborhood that now surrounds Tuck- 
er's pond. The geological designation of this development was 
porphyritic gneiss. 

Succeeding the Laurentian came the Atlantic period of the 
same era, and during its continuance appeared as solid land the 
remainder of Salisbury ; first, Lake gneiss, covering the greater 
part of more than the southern half of the town, and bounded 
by an irregular line on the north, which extended along the 
Kearsarge Andalusite group of rocks, then running just north 
of the West Salisbury post office, and then turning to the south- 
east as far as Salisbury Centre, where it forms an angle, and 



SUPPLEMENTARY DESCRIPTION. 2$ 

follows a curve in a northeasterly direction till it reaches the 
western boundary of the town of Franklin. 

Next in order comes the Montalban series of rock, covering 
the entire remaining area of the town, and including the Kear- 
sarge Andalusite groups, characterized as the name indicates 
by the presence of andalusite, which, when found in a perfect 
state, is a mineral having the shape of a rhombic prism. The 
Lake gneiss derives its name from its prevalence in the neigh- 
borhood of Lake Winnepesauke, and the Montalban series from 
the White Mountains. 

The valley of the Blackwater river embraces an area of modi- 
fied drift, extending with varying width from West Salisbury 
post office to the southern limit of the town. This drift pre- 
sents the characteristics of a soil that has been formed by river 
floods, being an alluvium made up of sand, gravel and clay, 
deposited on the original Lake gneiss, which was there long 
before it. 

It does not appear that there is any formation of granite within 
the present limits of Salisbury. Gneiss, though resembling 
granite in some of its constituents, is specifically different and 
furnishes a better foundation for a productive soil. 

MINERALS AND ROCKS. 

The rocks are mostly Montalban and Simonite. A species 
of bog ore, containing iron, also exists. The mineralogy of 
Kearsarge mountain is andalusite and tourmaline. In the west 
part of the town, near Wilder's pond, tripoli is found in large 
quantities near the surface of the ground. This is of economic 
value. After cleansing it of foreign substances and drying, it 
is an excellent polishing powder. With other ingredients it 
makes a valuable cement, and gives a pure whiteness to linen, 
when properly used. Plumbago exists in various sections of 
the town, a large vein being found on the eastern slope of 
Kearsarge. This vein has been worked, but through lack of 
capital or cost of transportation it has been abandoned. An- 
other vein has been found on the southern slope of Searle's hill. 



24 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

on the parsonage lot. Silver has also been discovered in small 
quantities. 

Near the southern border of the town, a few rods from what 
is called "the New road," from Holmes's Mill to North Bos- 
cawen, in the woody pasture of William Holmes, is a huge 
bowlder, foreign to this section, which lies almost wholly above 
ground. It was probably brought there ages ago by some giant 
flood, in a floating iceberg. When the flood abated the mass 
of ice melted and joined its kindred waters, leaving the bowlder 
in a strange land. Its dimensions have been often taken. It 
is recorded as 57 feet in length and 26 feet in height, with a 
circumference of 150 feet. It has been cleft in two by some 
potent agency, leaving an open space sufficiently wide to allow 
two or more persons to walk through it side by side. In the 
chasm are now (jrowing trees of differinsr varieties. 



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CHAPTER II. 



DISCOVERIES AND TITLES. 



"The deep, primeval wood — how still! 
Lo, Silence here makes all his own; 
\"eiled shapes, with hands upon their lips, 
Stand round about his darkened throne." 



EARLY DISCOVERIES. 

Modern history has reliable data. It is not based on myths 
or legends. Records may be incomplete or conflicting, but 
patient research will disclose the truth and relieve the investi- 
gator of doubt. 

There is but little uncertainty connected with the history of 
our country. It is true that claims to priority of discovery have 
been made in behalf of navigators who sailed along our coast 
years before Columbus sought a New World. It is also true 
that adventurers of different nationalities shared the honors of 
visiting the new-found continent more than a century previous 
to the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, or the settlement 
of the Cavaliers at Jamestown. 

DISCOVERIES i;V THE C.MiOTS. 

Our title to the country came through the enterprise of the 
Cabots, father and sons, who in 1497 were commissioned by 
Henry VII, "to sail to all parts of the east, west and north, 
under the royal banners and ensigns ; to discover countries of 
the heathen unknown to Christians ; to set up the king's banners 
there ; to occujjy and possess as his subjects such places as they 
can subdue; and to exercise rule and jurisdiction over them." 



26 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

The discoveries made through this expedition gave England 
the conceded, if not the rightful, possession of all this vast 
American territory, with the exception of a small area, called 
Acadia, in the actual possession of the French. 

ROYAL CHARTERS. 

The king assumed authority to bestow grants of these lands, 
for friendship or favor, or any consideration that pleased him. 

Early in the seventeenth century King James the First, 
desirous of extending his authority and exerting his influence, 
granted patents to certain " knights, gentlemen and merchants," 
and encouraged them to colonize his American possessions, 
then called Virginia, covering a breadth of "thirteen degrees of 
latitude" and "extending from sea to sea." The Plymouth 
Company, or Council of Plymouth, under the charter of 1620, 
had control of the northern portion of the territory, which 
embraced all that section now known as New England. 

MASON AND GORGES. 

In this Council were two adventurous spirits, I'erdinand 
Gorges, President, and John Mason, Secretary. They were 
men of energy and influence, and obtained especial grants from 
time to time, from the Council, including those of 1622 and 
1629, until they had a large portion of what subsequently became 
New Hampshire, and no inconsiderable portion of the State of 
Maine. In the course of a few years a division was made 
between Mason and Gorges, by which the latter conveyed to 
the former all his right and interest in lands west of the Piscat- 
aqua and also a tract extending three miles beyond that river 
on the east. Mason now claimed to have a valid title to all the 
area which at that time was known as New Hampshire, except 
a limited section on which settlements had been made, a few 
years previously, by Edward Hilton and others. 

TITLE DISPUTED. 

But he was not permitted to possess the land in peace. There 
were conflicting or obscure provisions in the charters which 



DISCOVERIES AND TITLES. 2/ 

had from time to time been conferred. One grant was partially 
covered by subsequent ones to other parties. Special grants of 
unoccupied lands had been conferred on sundry parties, cover- 
ing the soil from the Merrimack to the Connecticut, and even 
encroaching on the limits of Vermont. New constructions 
were put upon patents, to favor selfish interests. Massachu- 
setts, by the terms of early charters, sought jurisdiction over a 
large portion of the territory claimed by Mason and his suc- 
cessors, and for a time, by consent of actual settlers, exercised 
control. 

It was not strange that there should be conflicting claims. 
These arose partly from ignorance of the geography of the 
country, as appears from the terms of certain charters. In the 
grant of Massachusetts by the Plymouth Company, the territory 
was limited on the north by a line three English miles north of 
the River Merrimack, "or to the northward of any and every 
part thereof." The same words precisely were used in the 
original charter by King James, and in those relating to ?ilassa- 
chusetts and New Hampshire. ■ It was evidently supposed that 
the Merrimack maintained the same easterly course through its 
whole length as it does near its entrance to the ocean. 

.\N E.XPLOKLNG P.\KTV. 

With the view to support their construction of the charter, 
in 1639 there was sent out by the Massachusetts Bay Company 
"a Committee to find out the most northerly part of Merrimack 
River." They reported that "some part of it, above Penacook, 
was more northerly than forty three and a half degrees." How 
far above Penacook this committee proceeded we have no 
knowledge. Possibly they went as far north as the union of 
the Pemigewasset and the W'innepesaukc. If so, they were 
doubtless the first white men whose feet trod the soil which 
afterwards was included in the limits of the town of Salisbury. 

THE SECOND E.XPI.oRINr, I'.\KTV. 

No satisfactory information having been obtained, in 1652 the 
General Court of Massachusetts chose Captain Edward Johnson 



28 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

and Simon Willard Commissioners to ascertain the northern 
boundary of the territory granted the Company. Attending the 
commission were two surveyors and several Indian guides. 
They went up the river, exploring the country on both banks, 
and determined its source to be at that point "where it issues 
out of the Lake Winnapusseaket," in "latitude 43°-40-i2", 
besides those minutes which are to be allowed for the three 
miles north, which run into the Lake." 

This is but a few rods south of Wiers Landing, near the 
iron bridge across the stream. 

THE ENDICOTT ROCK. 

On a large bowlder at this point is now legible an inscription 
which, it is supposed, was made by that party. The rock is 
known as the "Endicott Rock," and bears marks as follows: 

El SW 

WP lOHN 

ENDICVT 
GOV 

As this survey was made under the administration of Gov- 
ernor Endicott, the significance of the inscription is evident. 

THE BOUNDARY CONTROVERSY. 

It was to this point, and three miles beyond, that the claim 
of Massachusetts was limited. The contest was persistently 
waged. Courts were not competent to settle the matter. Arbi- 
tration was ineffectual. It was a triangular contest, the Mason- 
ian heirs striving for the possession of the lands they claimed ; 
New Hampshire, to maintain her authority and do justice to 
her people, and Massachusetts to enlarge her domain and extend 
her authority. The controversy was severe and prolonged, 
Massachusetts refusing to accept any fair adjustment of the 
difficulty. New Hampshire ordered the matter to be brought 
before the king. His majesty caused a commission to be con- 
stituted, consisting of four counsellors of the neighboring prov- 
inces, who should have power to determine the disputed bounds. 



DISCOVERIES AND TITLES. 2g 

The commission met at Hampton, the Legislature of Massa- 
chusetts at the same time assembled at Salisbury, and that of 
New Hampshire at Hampton Falls, but five miles apart. On 
the part of Massachusetts the occasion was attended by much 
pomp and display. Governor Belcher, accompanied by members 
of both branches of the General Court, and escorted by an im- 
mense cavalcade, came to Hampton Falls, and addressed the 
members of the New Hampshire assembly. But fine speeches 
and parades did not change the determination of New Hamp- 
shire settlers. They could discover no indication of justice to 
themselves, and they treated the ostentatious spectacle with 
propriety but with no genuine respect. It was made a subject 
of ridicule and recorded in burlesque rhyme, in lines like these : 

"Dear Paddy, you ne'er did behold such a sight, 
As yesterday morning was seen before night; 
You, in all your born days saw, nor I didn't neither, 
So many fine horses and men ride together. 

At the head, the lower house trotted two in a row, 
Then all the higher house pranced after the low; 
Then the (Jovernor's coach gallop'd on like the wind, 
And the last that came foremost were the troopers behind. 

Hut I fear it means no good, to your neck or mine. 
For they say, '/is to fix a right place for the line ! " 

This commission made a decision which was evasive and 
unsatisfactory to both provinces and was promptly rejected. 

THE LORDS IN COUNCIL DECIDE. 

But the authorities of New Hampshire would suffer no further 
delay. They caused the matter to be carried before the King's 
Council, and early in 1740 it was decided that "the northern 
boundary of Massachusetts be a curve pursuing the course of 
the Merrimack River, at three miles distance on the north side 
thereof, beginning at the Atlantic ocean, and ending at a point 
due north from Pawtucket Falls; and a straight line drawn 
from thence due west till it meets with his Majesty's other 
governments." 

This gave New Hampshire an extent of territory fifty miles 
in length and fourteen miles wide, which she had never claimed, 



3© HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

including twenty-eight townships previously claimed by Massa- 
chusetts, many of which had been created by special grants 
from the Governor of Massachusetts. 

A SEPARATE GOVERNMENT. 

Now that the controversy had been settled, lines run and 
established, the ne.xt step was to make New Hampshire a sep- 
arate government. This was done with very little delay, and 
in 1741 Benning Wentworth was appointed Governor. 

THE MASONIAN CLAIM REVIVED. 

The Masonian claim again came up for determination, which, 
after several years' delay, was decided in favor of the legal suc- 
cessors of Captain John Mason. But the decision was accom- 
panied by conditions which would protect settlers in any of the 
grants from being disturbed in their possessions. 

THE MASONIAN PROPRIETORS. 

The entire right and interest of Mason, after it was confirmed 
to his heirs, was sold in 1746 to twelve men, residents of 
Portsmouth and vicinity. They were the leading men in the 
Council and Assembly, and had the greatest influence in the 
government. 

Three-fifteenths of the purchase was assigned to Theodore 
Atkinson, two-fifteenths to Mark Hunking Wentworth, and one- 
fifteenth to each of the other ten, viz : Richard Wibard, John 
Wentworth, Jr., John Moffat, Samuel Moore, Jotham Odiorne, 
Jr., George Jeffery, Jr., Joshua Pierce, Nathaniel Meserve, 
Thomas Wallingford, and Thomas Packer. 

They were known in the history of the State as the Mason- 
ian Proprietors. 



CHAPTER III. 



BAKERSTOWN. 



"The patient pleading of the trees, — 
How deep it shames the soul's despair! 
In supplication moveless, mute, 
They keep their attitude of prayer." 



A WILD COUNTRY, 



It was a hundred years after the first visits of the white man 
before any efforts were made to settle the section of country 
which was afterwards called Bakerstown, now Salisbury. It 
was a wilderness and remote from settlements. The Indian 
and the Indian scout alone traversed its hills and plains. If 
adventurous pioneers passed up and down the rivers, their his- 
tory is unwritten and unknown. We must therefore pass over 
the long period between 1652 and 1733, as furnishing no events 
immediately connected with the history of the town. 

A SETTLEMENT ANTICIPATED. 

At this latter date, Richard Hazen, who had been employed 
to survey Contoocook, "made an examination of the land to the 
northward." This was the first recorded step towards the 
coming settlement. The land had been seen and it was deemed 
worthy of occupation. 

MASSACHUSETTS GRANTS CHARTERS. 

It was the policy of Massachusetts, during the pendency of 
the boundary question, to confer grants in the disputed terri- 
tory on soldiers who had been enga^^ed in the French and Indian 



32 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

wars, and even on any parties who were friendly to the province. 
This was done with the view to strengthen her hold on New 
Hampshire soil, which she was determined not to relinquish. 
To soldiers in the expedition against Quebec, in 1690, eight 
grants of townships were made, including Bow, Todds-Town, 
(Henniker) Beverly-Canada, (Dunbarton) and Bakerstown, 
(Salisbury). 

A GRANT SOLICITED. 

There appears to be no accessible record of any petition to 
the General Court of Massachusetts for a grant, but the records 
of the Council indicate that John Tyler, Joseph Pike and oth- 
ers, presented a request for two townships to be granted to the 
officers and soldiers of the companies under command of the 
late Captain John March, Captain Stephen Greenleaf and Cap- 
tain Philip Nelson, deceased. 

THE PETITION ANSWERED. 

The answer of the General Court is copied from the records : 

In answer to the Petition of John Tyler, Joseph Pike and others. 

In the House of Representatives : — 

December 9th, 1736. Read and ordered that this Petition be received, and 
voted that two Tracts of the unappropriated Land of this Province, of the Contents 
of Six miles Square each, be and hereby are granted to the Petitioners, the Otificers 
and Soldiers of the Companys under the Late Capt. John March, Capt. Stephen 
Greenleaf, and Capt. Philip Nelson, Deceased, anno 1690, their Heirs and assigns 
respectively, and the Heirs Legal Representatives, Descendants of Such of them 
as are Deceased, and their Heirs and assigns forever, for two Townships, to lay in 
Some Suitable Place, that the Grantees be and are obliged to bring forward the 
Settlement of the Said Townships in as Regular a manner as the .Situation and cir- 
cumstances of Said Townships will admit of, in the following manner, viz: That 
each Grantee, his Heirs and assigns, build an House on his Respective Lot and share, 
of the contents of eighteen feet square and Seven Stud, at the Least, and Plow or 
bring to Grass fit for mowing six acres of Land, and that they Settle in each Town a 
Learned and orthodox minister, and build a convenient meeting-House for the Pub- 
lick worship of God; and that a Sixty-third part of the Said Township be and here- 
by is Granted to the first Settled minister, the like quantity for the use of the minis- 
try, and the like quantity for the use of the School, in all the Divisions of the Said 
Township; that the Grantees be and hereby are obliged to Give Bond of twenty 



BAKERSTOWN. 33 

Pound, for the fulfilment of the Conditions aforesaid, within five years after the 
Return and Confirmation of the Plan of Said Township, and that Capt. John Hob- 
son and Major Charles Pierce be a Committee, with Such as the Honorable Hoard 
shall Joyn, to lay out Said Township and Return Plots thereof, within one year, for 
Confirmation, and the Said Committee to observe Such Rules and Directions for 
the taking of Pond and admission of the (Grantees, agreeable to the order of Court 
in March Last, and said Committee to receive thirty-three pounds, Six Shillings and 
Eight Pence of the new Projected Bills, viz. Sixteen pound, thirteen shillings and 
four pence for each of the said Townships, out of the Publick Treasurer, to enable 
them to Pay out Said Township. 

In Council, February 3d, 1736. 

Read and Concurred, and Thomas Berry, Esq., is Joyned in the affair. 

Consented to, 

J. BELCHER. 
Copy Examined by 

SLMOX FROST, Dept. Secy. 

A TOWNSHIP LAID OUT. 

Under the direction of the commission named in the answer 
to the petition, a township of the contents of six miles square 
was laid out "westerly of the Merrimack River and northerly of 
and adjoining to Contoocook," by Richard Hazen, surveyor, 
October 23d, 1738, and approved by the commission on the 
30th day of November following. The names of the grantees 
or proprietors are recorded as follows : 

Capt. Stephen Greenleaf, James Tappan, 

Dea. Joshua .Moody, Daniel Bradley, 

Joseph Gould, David Bartlett, 

Joseph Page, Jun'r, P'eter Ayers, 

Klisha Sweat, Benjamin Hoag, 

John Kent, John liadger, 

Caleb Moody, Sam'l Smith, Jr., 

Rev. William Johnson, Jonathan March, 

William Huse, Joseph Isley, 

Joseph Davis, dideon Lowel, 

Henry Dow, Stephen Chase, 

Samuel Sargeant, Joseph Short, 

Samuel Silver, Thomas Huse, 

Robert Savory, John I.unt, 

Tristram Greenleaf, .\braham Titcomb, 

Hannah Bolton, James P.rown, 

Capt. John Sargeant, Stephen Longfellow, 

Nathaniel Clark, Eleazer Johnson, 

3 



34 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



John Thurlo, 
Joseph Osgood, 
Samuel George, 
Jeremiah Gutteridge, 
Capt. Thomas Wallingford, 
John March, 
Nathaniel Bearnard, 
Capt. Thomas Hale, 
Eleazer Hudson, 
Dr. Joseph Hills, 
Thomas Challis, 
Jonathan ]jlaisdale, 



Lazarus tioodwin, 
James Anderson, 
John Littlehale, 
Edward Emerson, 
Zachariah Heal, 
Capt John Seargeant, 
Percival Clark, 
Ebenezer Stuart, 
Joseph Holland, 
Joseph Pike, 
Stephen Longfellow, 
Samuel Bartlett, 3d. 



ORDER FOR A MEETING. 



To enable the grantees to effect an organization, the accom- 
panying order was passed by the House of Representatives and 
Council of Massachusetts : 



In the House of Representatives: 

|an. 9, 1739. Ordered that Thomas Berry, Esq., be and hereby is empowered 
to assemble the Grantees of the Township Lying on Mearimack River, Granted to 
the Officers and Soldiers in the expedition to Canada, Anno 1690, under the com- 
mand of Captain John March, Capt. Stephen Greenleaf, and Capt. Philip Nelson, 
in Such Place and at Such time as he Shall think fit, then to chuse a Moderator 
and Proprietors' Clerk, to agree uppon Rules, method and orders, for the Division 
and Disposall of said Propriety in the most proper method for the Speedy fulfil- 
ment of the Conditions of these Grants, and to agree upon methods for the calling 
future meetings. 

Sent up for Concurrence. 

EBENEZER RUMROV, 

Spkr Protempore. 
In Council: 



Jan. 20, 1739. Read and concurred. 
Consented to. 



SIMON FROST, Dept. Secy. 
JONATHAN BELCHER. 



A true copy, E.vamined by 

SIMON FROST, Dcpt. Secy. 



MR. BERRY S RETURN, 
Essex, SS Ipswich, January 26, 1739. 

In obedience to the foregoing order, I have caused notification to be Posted in 
the towns of Newbury, Almsbury and Haverhill, appointing the meeting to be 



BAKEKSTOWN. 35 

Feb'y 12th, 1739, at the House of Mr. Tristram Greenleaf in Newbury, at ten of the 
clock, before noon. 

(Signed) TIKiM.AS i;ERRV. 

We have not been able to find any record of a meeting held 
by the grantees in accordance with the foregoing call. If one 
was held, the votes for choice of of^cers for its government, as 
well as the questions discussed and the measures adopted, were 
never recorded in history. 

THE NAME HAKERSTOWN. 

The township, by common consent if not by official action, 
received the name of Bakerstown, in honor of the brave Captain 
Thomas Baker, who, in 1720, killed the Sachem Waternumus, 
by the rapid stream which enters the Pemigewasset near Ply- 
mouth, and bears the name of Baker's river. So little was the 
geography of the country known that the location of the grant 
was supposed to be in the vicinity of that river. 

The second township granted to the same parties was prob- 
ably "Emeristown" or "Emery's-town," afterwards New Bre- 
ton, now Andover. 

We find these two towns were subsequently granted, at one 
time, by the Masonian Proj^rietors, and this fact confirms our 
belief that they were originally conveyed, at the same time, by 
Massachusetts authority. 

CHARTER NOT ACCEPTED. 

It does not appear that either of these towns was settled 
under the grants conferred. In fact it is quite certain that the 
grantees of Bakerstown made no progress towards a settlement. 

Thus, in the short space of a single decade, there came into 
official and formal e.xistence, and died without a record, a town- 
ship bearing an honorable name, to be succeeded by another 
town with the same metes and bounds, granted by another 
authority, but known and called by the name of a hardy yeoman 
who was foremost in securing the grant, but who died before he 
could realize the importance of his work. 



CHAPTER IV 



STEVENSTOWN. 

" I love the past, those warlike days. 
When men possessed a purpose strong ; 
And, filled with faith, in thousand ways 
Pursued the life of noble song." 

ACTION OF THE MASOMAN PROPRIETORS. 

Whenever parties neglected to improve lands granted them, 
according to the conditions imposed by the grantors, they 
reverted to the former proprietorship, and, when occasion 
required, were conveyed to other parties who were interested 
in the settlement of the country and the improvement of their 
lands. 

As we have seen, the grantees of Bakerstown failed to com- 
ply with the terms of the grant of 1738. The lands could not 
revert to Massachusetts, for it had been decided that the forty 
townships in New Hampshire which Massachusetts had granted 
were never hers to bestow. The Masonian Proprietors, under 
these circumstances, were the rightful possessors of the terri- 
tory in question. 

It was in the month of December, 1748, that these Proprie- 
tors decided to grant the township to other parties than the 
original grantees, as appears by the — 

proprietors' records. 

Province ok New Hampshire: 

At a meeting of the Proprietors of Lands purchased of John Tufton Mason, 
Esq., in the Province of New Hampshire, held at the dwelling house of .Sarah 
Priest, widow, in Portsmouth, in s'd Province .on Wednesday the seventh day of 
December, 1748, by adjournment, — 



STEVENSTOWN. 



37 



Voled, "That Ebenezer Stevens, Esq., & associates have a Township equal to 
six miles square, beginning on the north of Contoocook, in the most convenient 
form, without interfering with the Township called No. One, [Warner] as the 
Grantors shall think proper, and that Mr. Edniond Brown and associates have a 
Township equal to si.x miles square, joining upon the north side of Stevens and 
associates' aboves'd tract, upon the west side of Pemigewasset River, upon Reser- 
vations and Limitations hereafter to be agreed upon." 

Copy of record, — Attest, 

GEO. JEFFERY, Proprietori Clerk. 

At this meeting it was voted to grant a township, as desig- 
nated in the records, and at a subsequent meeting, nearly a year 
later, the township was described, the boundaries and measures 
given, the "Reservations and Limitations" stipulated, and the 
grantees named. 

GRANT OF STEVENSTOWN. 



PROVINXE of XkW irA>n'SIIIRK: 

At a meetiag of the I'roprietors of the lands purchased of John Tufton Mason, 
Esq., in the Province of New Hampshire, held in Portsmouth in s'd Province, on 
Wensday, the 26th day of October, 1749, — 

Voted, That there be and hereby is granted unto — 



Ebenezer Stevens, 
Ebenezer Page, 
Samuel Hean, 
Kenjamin Stevens, 
Nathan Sweatt, 
Elisha Winslow, 
Moses Quimby, 
Joshua Woodman, 
John Hunton, 
Jedediah Philbrick, 
Thomas Newman, 
Samuel Colcord, 
Jonathan fireely, Jun'r, 
Joseph lOastman, Jun'r, 
John Fitiekl, Jun'r, 
Henry Morril, 
William Calfe, 
John Hunton, Jun'r, 
John I.add, Jun'r, 
Henjamin W.-idleigh, 
Nathaniel Ladd, 
Ebenezer Stevens, Jun'r, 



Elisha Sweat, 
Samuel Sanborn, 
John Darling, Jun'r,* 
Sam'l Webster, 
John Currier, 
Samuel Winslow, Jun'r, 
Humphrey Hook, 
Jacob (Juimby, 
Jonathan Greeley. 
Tristram Sanborn, Jun'r, 
Ebenezer Long, 
Abraham Greene, 
Joseph I'ean, Jun'r, 
Tristram (Juinby, 
Penjamin Ladd, 
Jeremiah Phill>rick, 
The Revd Joseph Secombe, 
James Tappan, 
Tristram Sanborn, tertius, 
Peter Sanborn, 
Capt. Joseph Greeley, 
William Huswell, tertius, 



38 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Xath'l Hunton, Jeremiah Webster, 

Samuel Eastman, Jun'r, Jonathan Sanborn, 

Samuel Fifield, Ephraim Collins, 

Joseph Clifford, Joshua Webster, 

Ebenezer Eastman, Samuel Stevens, 

of Kingston, in said Province; Peter Aver of Haverhill, Jabez True and Uavid 
Greeley, both of Salisbury; Benjamin Sanborn, of Kingston afores'd, Philip Call 
being in on part of the land hereinafter mentioned; and Peter Derborn of Chester; 
in equal shares, on the Terms, Conditions and Limitations hereinafter expressed, 
all that tract of Land within the Province of New Hampshire, Containing the 
Extent & Quantity of six miles square, — Bounded as follows; — viz: Beginning at 
a white oak tree standing on the brink of Merrimack River, six rods southerly from 
a deep gutter running into the River, said tree being marked on four sides ; thence 
running west seventeen degrees south, nine miles; then beginning again at the 
River, at the said White Oak and Running upon the River northerly about a mile 
above the "Croch," upon Pemigewasset River, to a large Rock in the Bank of the 
River, at the head of Pemigewasset Great Falls; thence running west fifteen 
degrees south nine miles; thence on a straight line from the westerly end of this 
line to the westerly end of the line first mentioned on the other side. To have and 
to hold to them, their heirs, & assigns, in equal shares on the following terms, con- 
ditions & Limitations, that is to say, that the whole tract of land within the said 
boundaries, saving what is hereinafter mentioned to be otherwise Improved, be 
Divided into Eighty shares or Rights, & each share into four distinct lots, one of 
which to contain sixty acres, and the other three the rest of the land belonging to 
each respective share, of which the intervale to be one lot; that the lots which 
belong to our share be numbered with the same number, beginning with One and 
ending with Eighty; that the said land be so laid out within one year after the Pro- 
claiming of Peace with the Indians, and then the Lots drawn in the usual manner 
of drawing for lots of Land in such cases, and that this be done, under the care and 
direction of the Grantees, and that there be but one Draft for the Lots which belong 
to our share; that one of the s'd shares be for the first Minister of the Gospel who 
shall be settled on said Lands, and continue there during his life, or untill he shall 
be Regularly Dismissed, to hold, to him, his heirs & assigns, and one other of the 
said shares to be for and toward the support of the Gospel ministry, there for- 
ever, and the sixty acres Lots belonging to these two shall be laid out as near 
the place where the Meeting House shall be built, as conveniently may be, and 
drawn for as the other lots; that there be ten acres of Land left in some convenient 
Place, as the major Part of said Grantees shall Determine, within the said bound- 
aries, for building a meeting house and a school house upon, and to improve for a 
training field, a Burying Place, and other Publick uses, to which the Inhabitants 
there shall see cause to apply it; that one more of said shares be for the support of 
the aforesaid school there forever; that seventeen of said shares be and hereby are 
reserved for the use of the s'd Proprietors the Grantors, in these Presents, their 
heirs and assigns; that the owners of the other sixty make a regular settlement 
there, at their own expense and charge in the following manner, viz: that within 
two years after the said Peace, the said owners or Grantees shall clear and make a 
good cartway from the place called Contooke to the Place left for Publick uses, as 
afores'd within the said boundaries; that within three years after said Peace, the 



STEVENSTOWN. 39 

said ( )wners shall have a saw mill huilt fit for sawing and making I'.oards and other 
Timber for the use of the settlers there and that the same he put under such a 
Regulation as shall best serve the interest of the settlement, and that each settler 
may be served in that Respect on Reasonable Terms ; that within four years from 
said term, each owner of the said shares, shall fell the trees upon three acres of the 
Land belonging to his share, and within one year more, shall clear and fit the same 
for mowing or Tillage; that within six years, each of the said owners shall build a 
house of sixteen feet square or ecjual thereto on his respective share, and to have 
two acres of Land more fitted for Tillage or mowing and the said house fitted to 
live in; that within seven years after the said Peace, the said owners shall build a 
meeting house within the said Houndaries, to be placed as aforesaid and finished 
fit for Public Worship within eight years from said Term, and some Person living 
in each owner's house there, and that within nine years from said Term, the said 
owners and settlers there maintain the Preaching of the Gospel, in said house; that 
each owner of the said sixty shares Pay to such Person or persons, as shall be 
appointed by the Major Part of said Owners to receive the same, his proportion of 
all sums of money from time to time as the said major Part of the said owners shal' 
determine to be necessary to be paid for the carrying on the said settlement and 
accomplishing the matters and things aforesaid and what shall be hereinafter men- 
tioned for the making. Perfecting and finishing the said settlement; that in laying 
out the said lotts care be taken to sort them in such a manner as to make the shares 
as equal as Possible, that the Lots be laid in Ranges, when the land will admit of 
it and land Left Between the Ranges for highways, of four rods wide and between 
the Lots of two Rods wide, where the land will admit of it ; that a Plan of the whole 
when so laid out be made at the charge of the said owners and returned to the said 
Grantors, as soon as may be conveniently Done, at the charge of the said owners; 
that the seventeen reserved shares be exonerated, acquitted and fully exempted 
from Paying any charges towards making the said settlement, and not held to the 
conditions limited to the other shares, nor Liable to Pay any charge, tax or assess- 
ment, untill Improved by the Respective owners thereof or any under them; that 
all white Pine trees fit for making the Royal Navy be and hereby are I'reserved & 
granted to his Majesty, his Heirs and successors forever, for that Purpose; that if 
any of the Grantees or owners shall neglect, fail and omit to make and I'erfect the 
said settlement in manner aforesaid according to the true Intent and meaning of the 
several articles, matters and things herein before mentioned by them to be Done, 
the said Grantees and owners shall forfeit their Rights, shares and Interest, in the 
said granted Premises to the Grantors, their heirs and assigns, (saving such of the 
said owners, as shall have Done and Performed his Part and i'erposion of the said 
articles, matters and things,) his Respective Rights and share of the said Premises, 
and the said Grantors, their Heirs and assigns, may and it shall be lawful for them 
or any Person or Persons for and in their name and stead to enter into and upon 
the Rights or share so forfeited, and the same again to seize, take Possession of, 
and apply to their own use, — I'rovidcd that if a war with the Indians should again 
happen before the expiration of several Limitations of time for the Doing and Per- 
forming the said matters and things Respectively, then the same term of years to 
l>e allowed after that Impediment shall be Removed, and in case any action or suit 
shall l)e Hro't against the grantees or owners for the said tract of Land or any Part 



40 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

thereof, the said Orantees or owners, or such of them as shall be sued, shall and 
hereby are obliged to vouch the said Grantors, their heirs or assigns, and they the 
said Grantors hereby Promise and Ingage that they, their heirs and assigns shall 
and will at their own cost and charge Defend the respective suit upon our title and 
Persue the same to final judgment through the whole course of the Law ( if there 
shall be occasion) and in case the final judgment in such trial shall be agaiii^t the 
Grantors, the Grantees or owners shall recover nothing over in satisfaction of and 
from the said Grantors, their Executors or administrators, or any of them, and fur- 
ther it is the true intent and meaning of the Grantors and Grantees of these Presents 
that in case any of the sixty shares shall be forfeited to the Grantors by default of 
Performing the Proportion of duty, and making the said settlement as aforesaid, the 
said Grantors shall oblige those to whom they shall dispose of such shares to do 
and Perform their Proportion of the articles, matters and things herein enjoined and 
required of the original Grantees, and in case the said Grantors hold such forfeited 
Rights to themselves or any of them, they shall do and I'erform all their Proportion 
of duty and part of their proportion of all charges as is herein required of the 
original Grantees. 

Copy of Record,— Attest, GEORGE JKFFERV, 

Proprs^ Clerk. 

Among the grantees are the names of three men who were 
named in the grant of Bakerstown. They were Elisha Sweatt, 
James Toppan, and Peter Ayers. It seems that only these three 
were sufficiently interested in the first grant to desire an inter- 
est in the same territory under a new name and organization. 

NAME. 

No name was given the granted township in the conveyance 
by the Masonian Proprietors, but the grantees with one accord, 
without formal action, designated it as "Major Stevens-Town," 
which in the course of time was abbreviated and called — 

STEVENSTOWN. 

(1749.) Immediately on receiving the grant, Oct. 25, 1749, 
forty-four of the grantees signed and issued the following — 

WARRANT FOR A MEETING. 

Provin'ce of Xew Hampshire: 

This is to Give Notice to all that have any Right in the new Township or Grant 
of Land, called Major Stevens-Town, to meet at the House of Capt. John Ladd in 
Kingston, in s'd Province, Inholder, on Wensday the 6th day of November, 1749, 



STEVENSTOWN. 4I 

at one of the clock in the afternoon to choose a Clerk for the Proprietors of s'd 
Township or drant of Land, and to agree how the Meeting of the aboves'd Propri- 
etors shall be warned or Called, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, and 
to conclude upon and do any thing that may be thought necessary relating to s'd 
Township or Grant of Land, or for the Interest of the aboves'd Proprietors. 

This is by Order and Agreement of us the Subscribers and others. Proprietors 
of the aboves'd Grant of Land. 

As witness our hand, Oct ye 30, 1749. 

[Signed by Forty Four (Jrantees.] 

FIR.ST MEETING. 

This meeting was held according to the warrant, and Elisha 
Sweatt was chosen Moderator, and Jedediah Philbrick. Clerk. 
The records show that the following votes were passed : 

Voted, "That the meetings of the Proprietors of the aboves'd Township or 
Grant of Land shall be warned or called from time to time, & at all times hereafter 
by a Com'te, that shall be chosen yearly for that purpose, or until such time as we 
shall be otherwise enabled by Law, and that the aboves'd Com'te shall warn a meet- 
ing at any time, upon the request of any Twenty of the s'd Proprietors." 

Voted, "That Elisha .Sweatt, Benjamin Stevens, Samuel Fifield, Peter Sanborn, 
& Jedediah Philbrick shaH be a Com'te to warn or call Proprietors' Meetings as 
aboves'd for the year ensuing." 

Voted, " That we will Lay out the s'd Tract of Land as soon as may be, after the 
following manner, viz: — In four Divisions, namely — One Interval Lot to each 
Right or Share, and also one Home Lot of Sixty acres to each Right or .Share, and 
also one Hundred acre Lot, and one Eighty acre Lot to each Right or .Share." 

Voted, "That Lieut. Elisha Sweatt, Peter Sanborn, James Tappan, Henry 
Morril, Samuel Bean & Tristram Sanborn shall be a Com'te to Lay out the Land 
as afores'd." 

Voted, "That Jeremy Webster, shall be the Surveyor to assist and join with the 
s'd Com'te in laying out the Land as aboves'd." 

The records of this meeting make no mention of Major Stev- 
ens, the prime mover in the enterprise to establish a new town 
in the wilderness. Five days before he had closed his eyes on 
mortal scenes and was numbered with the dead. 

ACTIVITY OF THE GK.ANTEES. 

The grantees were in earnest to commence a settlement. 
They had but to order by a majority vote, and the work was 
e.xecuted according to the directions. As soon as authority was 
given, they called their first meeting, on the briefest lawful 



42 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

notice. Votes were passed directing the manner of assigning 
lots, and naming the parties to execute the duty. In two weeks 
more, on the 22d of November, though the lands were remote 
from the residence of the body of the grantees, the committee 
reported that they had laid out the lands as directed. The 
boundary of each of the four divisions, and of each "Right," is 
described in full in the Proprietors' records. The situation of 
each lot may be seen by the map in this volume. 

NEW STYLE ADOPTED. 

(175 1.) This year the British Parliament passed an Act, 
providing that in the month of September, 1752, eleven days 
should be dropped from the calendar, in order to conform to the 
"new style," as established October 5, 1582, by Pope Gregory 
XIII, to rectify the errors into which the world had been led 
by disregarding the precession of the equinoxes. 

BREAKING GROUND. 

(1752.) The next meeting of the Proprietors, of historic im- 
portance, was held April 23, 1752, at the house of Benjamin 
Sanborn, in Kingston. At this meeting it was — 

Voted, "To plow twelve acres." 

Voted, "To give Mr. John Webster and Mr. Jonathan Greeley Jun'r, the sum of 
one hundred and twenty pounds, old tenor, for plowing up twelve acres of Land by 
the 20th of May next ensuing." 

Voted, "To pay on each Right three pounds, old tenor, for to defray charges." 

Voted, "That the Committee shall make a rate, and commit it to the Collector 
for the above sum." 

Although this is the first act of the Proprietors toward im- 
proving the soil, land had been previously cleared and plowed 
by individuals on the grant, as will be seen by a future vote, as 
well as by the terms of the grant. 

( 1753.) The Proprietors this year voted to build four houses, 
" Stephen Call's house to be one of the number." Mr. Call had 
been for several years on the land granted, and had erected a 
suitable dwellinsf. 



stp:venstowk. 43 

fear of the indians. 

It was about this time, or a little before, that the Indians 
began to molest the inhabitants of this neighborhood. Some 
years before they had killed parties in Contoocook and carried 
others away captives. This year they made sudden and fatal 
attacks on the settlers and threatened to arrest all further efforts 
to make a settlement. 

The Proprietors sent a guard of five men for the protection 
of the few families settled there. But this was not sufficient. 
Jeremiah Webster and others petitioned the Assembly and the 
Council to provide soldiers to occupy a fort which they had 
built and to defend the settlers. In response the Assembly 
sent a small company to guard the settlers, as appears by the 
record : 

A GUARD PROVIDED FOR STEVENSTOWN AS A FRONTIER TOWN. 

Provi.nce or / .\t a special Convention of the members of the (leneral Assembly 
New H.-^mpr \ ^t Portsmouth on the 22d day of Augt 1754 — in pursuance of an 
order from his Excellency the Governor, To the Sheriff of sd Province to summon 
the Members to Meet as on file. 

Whereas his K.xcellencv the Governor by his Message of the twenty first Instant 
takes notice of sundry Hostilities committed upon sundry of his Majesty's subjects 
at a place called Stevens Town within this Province by Indians (suppos'd to be of 
the St Francis Indians) and that the Inhabitants on the Frontier are much e.xposed 
and so put in fear that they stand in need of Protection and help — Therefore it is 
agreed upon by the members of the House of Representatives that there be the 
number of si.xty men enlisted or Impress'd (and his E.xcellency is hereby desired to 
give orders for the enlist'g— Impres'g y't number) for the protection and defense 
of the Frontier, not exceeding the space of two months, and that the Allowance for 
their pay subsistence and amunition be the same as at the latter end of the last 
Indian War — and in order for a fund therefor it is further agreed that there be so 
much of the Hills of Credit of ye Intrest of the Twenty five 'i'housand pounds loan 
in the hands of the Treasurer borrowing as will be sufficient for the same — and 
that for the Replacing the same in the Treasury it is further agreed. That there !« 
a ta.x layd on the Polls and I'.states within this I'rovince Ai^r^MNc- to the last pro- 
portioned to be payd by the 30th day of December, 1755, ^""^ *'^^' there shall be a 
Tax P.ill for that end as .soon as the Gen'l .\>scmbly shall be in a condition to act 

in a legislative capacitv. 

MKSIIKi II WI.AKK, Speaker. 

The chapter on Indian Wars contains a full account of depre- 
dations, assaults and murders bv the Indians in this vicinity. 



44 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

ROAD TO COOS. 

It was during this year that the route for "a road to Coos" 
(Northern New Hampshire) was determined, John Stark being 
the guide. Zacheus Lovewell, of Dunstable, John Talford, of 
Chester, and Caleb Page, of Dunbarton, were the committee 
appointed by the Assembly to execute the work. 

(1754.) June 30, voted, "That we will pay five men that 
have been to guard those that are at s'd Township." 

The same party that last year were chosen by the Assembly 
to mark out a road to Coos were this year sent by the Governor 
to "explore the country." 

(I755-) June 15, voted, "That Jeremy Webster, Esq. Peter 
Sanborn and Dea Elisha Sweatt arc a Committee to enter and 
record our papers that are on file." 

CHARTER ENLARGED. 

(1756.) May 15, Jacob Gale, Samuel Fifield, and Peter San- 
born were chosen a committee to go to Portsmouth, when the 
Masonian Proprietors held their business meetings, to secure an 
addition to the charter of the township. 

i^7S7) Col. Ebenezer Stevens and Capt. Samuel Fifield 
were a committee for the same purpose. 

The object of the amendment was to provide for the sale of 
such rights as were forfeited by neglect to conform to the con- 
ditions under which the charter was conferred. Some of the 
grantees had refused to pay the taxes assessed, even though 
repeated efforts had been adopted to make collections. The 
rights of such i:)arties were liable at any time to be forfeited on 
claim of the original proprietors. It was important for the har- 
mony of the owners that they have the privilege of purchasing all 
such interests, to the exclusion of strangers or those who might 
cause trouble in the new settlement. This committee, it is 
reasonable to suppose, presented their case in person, as there 
is no record of any written request or correspondence. 

The Masonian Proprietors considered the matter and granted 
their request, as appears by the accompanying document : 



STEVENSTOWN. 45 

Province of New Hami'shire: 

At a meeting of the I'roprietors of Lands purchased of John Tufton Mason, 
Esq. in said Province held at Portsmouth, hy adjournment on the 6tli day of March 
175S the preamble and resolution following were passed: 

Whereas the said Pro])rietors on the 25th day of October 1749 granted their 
Right to a certain Tract of Land containing the extent and quantity of six miles 
square, the Pounds of which arc Particularly Set forth in said grant to Ebenezer 
Stevens, Jedediah Philbrick tv: others therein named on certain Conditions, Limita- 
tions and Reservations as may more particularly appear by Reference to said 
Grant, among which of sd Reservations is this viz. that every one of the sd. Gran- 
tees, who shall not comply with & Perform the several terms & conditions, accord- 
ing to the true tenor and meaning of the same, as expressed in the said (jrant to 
the Grantees, as may more fully appear by the said Grant. 

And whereas the Grantees have petitioned to the said Proprietors to grant to 
those of the said (Jrantees, who shall have performed the said terms and conditions, 
all such Rights & shares, aforesaid, as are or shall be forfeited to them, the said 
grantors as aforesd. 

Therefore, Voted "That all the said Rights, shares and parts thereof, that are or 
shall be forfeited to the grantors, for the reasons aforesd, all Rights, Property, 
Interests and Demand, of the said Grantors, of, in and unto such forfeited Rights 
and shares, and any and every part thereof, are hereby granted to such of the said 
grantees as have and shall do. Perform and comply with the terms of said grant to 
be Determined by the Majority of grantees & disposed of as they shall agree and 
determine, with this Limitation, that the said grantees cause the same to be settled 
according to the tenor of the grant, within two years after the Indian wars shall be 
ended, but in default thereof the same shall Return to the said Proprietors as is 
declared in said above recited grant. 

Copy Examined, GEO. JEKFERV, 

Prop. Clerk. 

In this as in other transactions the grantees were fortunate, 
as it kept the full control of affairs within the hands of those 
having a common interest. Unlike many other townships, 
Stevenstown had a full title to the soil. She had no claims to 
adjust, while in the case of many other towns there were long 
and costly contentions. 

RIGHTS OFFERED FOR SALE. 

(1759.) At a meeting of the grantees, March 22d, of this 
year, it was — 

I'oted, "To sell three of the most deficient Rights at a publick vendue to the 
highest bidder, provided the owners of sd deficient Rights do not pay their arrears 
by the first of July next." 



4^ HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Voted, "That Capt. John Webster, of Contoc'k, and those that are inhabitants 
at Stevenstown shall work as much on the ways in the township as their Rights are 
in debt to said Society, at two Pounds O. T. per day." 

LAND GRANTED TO JOHN \YEBSTER. 

At the same meeting it was — 

Foled, "That Dea Elisha Sweatt, Lieut John Huntoon, and Ephraim Collins 
are chosen a committee to lay out to Capt John ^Vebster one hundred acres of land 
that was granted to said Webster." 

A month later the committee, acting with the promptness 
that characterized the grantees, made their report that they had 
assigned a lot situated and described as follows : 

"A certain piece of Land laid out to Capt John Webster of Contoocok, for 
building a sawmill on that tract of Land called Major Stevens-town, Bounded on the 
River on Jacob Morrill's land, thence running westerly on sd Morrill's land to the 
lowermost one hundred acre lot in the third Range, and so running on the easterly 
side of said one hundred acre lot and so running northerly [easterly] to the river, 
and so running on the river to the first mentioned bound, it containing one hundred 
acres as it is laid out and bounded, be it more or be it less, reserving a highway 
four rods wide through the same." 

SLO^V PROGRESS. 

(1762.) There seems to have been some misunderstanding 
regarding the line between Boscawen and Stevenstown, for we 
find that Boscawen chose a committee to settle the line and 
bounds between the two towns. 

For a period of eight years, perhaps more, there appears to 
have been but little progress in Major Stevenstown. A few 
dwellings were erected, additional settlers came slowly in, and 
but very limited areas of land were placed under cultivation. 
The people of Stevenstown had endured many hardships. They 
had a stubborn soil, mostly covered with a heavy growth of 
wood. They were in constant fear of the Indians ; they had 
been subjected to great expense in defending their frontier, in 
building a fort, and in purchasing arms and ammunition. They 
began to grow discouraged, but not yet did they once propose 
to abandon the settlement. They resolved to go to the General 
Assembly for assistance. They petitioned for aid. The Prov- 



STEVENSTOWN. 47 

incial Papers contain a copy of the petition, entitled, " Petition 
for aid in settling SaiishiDy," dated June, 1765. The word 
"Salisbury" was evidently substituted for Stez>cnstown by the 
copyist, as Salisbury had no existence until three years later. 
The petition is here given : 

"Petition for aid in Settlinc. Salishtry." [ Stevknstown.] 

To his Excellency Benning Wentworth I'lsqr Cap (leneral Governor & Com- 
mander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of New Hampshire, and to the 
Honble his Majesties Council and House of Kepresentatives in General Court 
assembled. The I'etition of the Proprietors and Settlers of a Tract of Land in the 
Province aforesd, comonly called Stevens-Town, humbly She'vetli 

That the sd Proprietors have been at great expence in settling sd Tract & en- 
couraging the same and in the late Wars have been at considerable cost to defend 
the same by Building a fort thereon & paying soldiers to keep the same, even at 
our own private expense And there are now many familys settled and many more 
settling. We have also Built a sawmill & are building a grist Mill, (.\: yet there are 
costly duties to be performed — such as building the Meeting house, settling a 
Minister &c — And the s'd Petitioners being in no capacity to rais money for the 
Defraying these ^; other incidental charges, We therefore Humbly pray that your 
Excellency & Honours will be pleased to add to our cost & lai)our that further 
encouragement to settle the waste lands viz — To make an Act according to your 
Excellys & Honours Wisdom that will enable the sd Proprietors & settlers to rais 
moneys for the carrying on their settlement tV defraying the Necessary charges that 
may arise for the future, And so your Petitioners shall as in duty bound ever 

pray <S:c 

TRUEWORTHV LAD 

In behalf iJc by order of the Proprietors and Settlers 

June the 12th day 1765 

In Council June 20th 1765 

Read and ordered to be sent down to the Honble Assembly 

T ATKINSON Jun Secy 

Province of New | In the House of Representatives 
Hampshire 1 june 20th 1765 

This Petition being read — Voted That the Prayer thereof be granted so far as 
that the Petitioners have libity to bring in a bill accordingly 

A CLARKSON Clerk 

In Council, Kodem die, 
Read iS; Concurr'd. 

T ATKINSON Jun Secy. 

(1766.) This year the following Act was passed, in compli- 
ance with the wishes of the proprietors of the several rights in 
the township: 



48 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

An act to Enable the proprietors of a Tract of Land called Stevens Town to 
raise money to carry on a Settlement thereof ^: to Enforce the payment by 
sul)jecting Proprietors Land to the Payment of the assessment on Each Orig- 
inal right 

Whereas the Orantees of said Tract of Land have applied to the General 
Assembly representing the necessity of a Law to authorize them to raise money in 
a [more] summary way than agreed, voted by the sd Grantees or Proprietors of 
said land to build a meeting house, settle a minister, clear highways, build Bridges, 
and to carry on the other works necessary for the advancing & the more speedy 
settling said Lands & praying that an act may be formed for that End. And it 
appearing to serve much to the dispatch of settling said Lands 

P>e it therefore Enacted by the Governor Council and Assembly that the said 
Grantees or Proprietors are hereby Enabled & authorized at any of their meetings 
hereafter to be held, to choose any Officers or persons being Proprietors to do and 
perform any service necessary to the End aforesd, or assessors or Persons to pro- 
portion any sum granted to the several rights or shares to make assessments thereof 
with the names of the proprietors & sum assessed to Each right with an order to the 
Collector or Collectors to Collect the money and when & to whom to pay it; to 
appoint a Clerk to make regular Entries & keep proper Entries & records of their 
proceedings; a Collector of the sums assessed, or more than one if they see cause, 
and any other Officer tho' not named which the proprietors shall find necessary or 
convenient, these officers to be under Oath for the Faithful discharge of their 
respective Trusts & shall Continue therein until the said Proprietors shall super- 
sede them by a New Choice and as rights of Land are daily transferred & the pres- 
ent Owner at any supposd time Cannot be Certainly Long known therefore all 
assembled it shall be made in the name of the Original Grantee or proprietor, who 
will always be known by him who holds under hini 

And when any such Collectors shall have met, assessment made in consequence 
thereof he shall give notice of the same by Carring an advertisemt thereof to be 
printed in the New Hampshire Gazette three weeks successively, of the sum 
assessed on the Original right which is finally subjected to the paymt, where & to 
whom the money be paid & the time appointed for Completting the Paymt & if 
the money shall not be sent by the respective Proprietors by the Expiration of Four- 
teen days after the last of said three weeks, the said Collector shall then advertise 
the intended sale of so much of the right of Land of theproprietors whose part of 
said assessment then remains unpaid, setting forth again the sum due the time & The 
Place propos'd for the sale, which advertizement shall be printed as afores'd & at 
the Time appointed if the money so due shall not be paid, the Collector or Collec- 
tors shall proceed to sell by Auction & is hereby authorized to Execute a good Deed 
or Deeds as the Case shall require of all the Title, Interest or Demand of such 
Proprietor in & unto such a quantity of any of his Lots as will raise money sufficient 
to answer the Tax assesssmt with all Incidental Charges. 

But such Proprietors paying the sum due with the Charges arizing at any time 
before the Execution of such Deed the Collector shall proceed no further therein — 
and as in such cases it would be next to impossible to sell Land exactly sufficient to 
raise the sum due, the Collector is directed to come as near to the sum as he can & 
if the sum should be something more, it shall not Prejudice to sale, but the 
Collector shall restore the overplush sum (if any) to the Proprietor to whom it 



STEVENSTOWN. 49 

belongs as soon as may be — and in settling the Charge the Cost of the first adver- 
tisement shall be paid by the proprietors, & the Charge of the advertizement for 
sale shall be proportioned amongst those whose Lands are advertised & the Charges 
of sale amongst those Lands are sold 

And this act shall be deemed and Continued to extend to such sums already 
voted to be raised by said Proprietors as are not Paid as well as to those which 
shall hereafter be agreed on by them and voted 

And be it further enacted that the said Proprietors shall have the same remidy 
against their Collectors or any of them who shall neglect to make such Collection 
( after having undertaken it ) or shall neglect to make paymt agreeable to their orders 
from the Assessors, which the Inhabitants of towns have against Constables Delin- 
quent in such Cases to be executed in the same manner. 

And if the said Proprietors have already chosen Assessors Collectors or any 
other such Officers necessary for the service herein directed, they are hereby invested 
with the same power and authority for Carrying this act into Execution as those 
which shall hereafter be chosen for that purpose by the said Proprietors in conse- 
quence of this act. Saving the Rights of Female covenants (coverts,) Infants, 
Persons in Captivity or beyond seas, so far as to allow them six months after their 
Respective Impediments are removed, they paying the sums due as aforesd with the 
interest thereof at the rate of £6 pr Centum per annum, & for their I leirs & Assigns 
respectively to redeem the same Provided nevertheless that where any Original 
Rights shall be owned by two or more persons, in that Case either of them paying 
his I'roportion according to his Interest & informing what particular Lot or part of 
the Lot he Owns the Collector shall accept thereof & shall not make sale of such 
Part. 

This act to be in force for three years \ no longer 

Passed house July S 1766 

Senate July 10 1766 

In the year following, 1767, at a meeting of the proprietors, 
some of whom had become actual residents on the granted 
lands, it was — 

Voted, "That one half the meetings for the ensuing year be held at John 
Huntoon's in Kingston, and the other half at Benjamin Sanborn's in Major-Stevens- 
town." 



CHAPTER V. 



THE MEN OF STEVENSTOWN. 

" So the multitude goes, like the flower and the weed, 

That wither away to let others succeed ; 
So the multitude comes, even thc^e we behold, 

To repeat every tale that has often been told." 

GRANTEES. 

Though but few of the grantees became actual settlers in 
Stevenstown, or even ever visited the township, they manifested 
an interest in its prosperity and are deserving of notice in our 
history. We have been able to gather but scanty information, 
even of the active ones who did not become actual settlers. 

MAJOR EBENEZER STEVENS. 

There appear to have been two grantees of the name of 
Ebenezer Stevens, both of Kingston — "the Major" and "the 
Colonel." A third one of the same name is mentioned, and is 
known as "the Captain." They represent as many different 
generations. The Major was a prominent man in Kingston, 
and was the first grantee of the town named in his honor. We 
are not able to ascertain the date or the place of his birth. It 
is recorded that he died November i, 1749. He was for several 
years a member of the Assembly, and four or five years Speaker 
of that body, from the year 1743 to 1747. He was a soldier in 
the Indian wars, and in 17 10, when Captain Oilman went with 
a company in pursuit of the Indians who killed Colonel Hilton's 
party, Stevens was his guide.* 

*Coloner Potter says, "Ebenezer Webster, grandfather of Daniel Webster, was 
the pilot." 



THE MEN OF STEVENSTOWN. 5 1 



COLONEL EBENEZER STEVENS. 



Colonel Stevens was a son of the Major, born in 171 5, and 
was one of the foremost men in his section of the State. He 
had command of a company of cavalry in 1750, and in 1758 was 
Colonel of the 7th Regiment. He was a personal friend of 
Governor Benning Wentworth, and it is said he made His Ex- 
cellency very happy by the presentation of a fine pair of o.xen. 
It is believed that Colonel Stevens was a religious man as well 
as a good soldier, and that he officiated as deacon of the Con- 
gregational church, in Kingston, from 1765 to the year of his 
death, 1780. 

REVEREND JOSEPH SEC0M15E. 

The Rev. Joseph Secombe was the minister at Kingston, 
where a majority of the grantees resided, and made one of their 
number by the liberality of his friends. His grandfather, Rich- 
ard Secombe, emigrated with his family from the west of Eng- 
land, about the year 1660. John, the son of Richard, resided 
in Boston, and November 2, 1702, married Mehitable Simmons. 
Joseph, their first son, v/as born in Boston, June 14, 1706, and 
was baptized in the old North church two days later. He 
pursued his studies preparatory to entering college, under the 
direction of the Rev. Mr. Wigglesworth, of Ipswich, Mass., and 
graduated from Harvard in 1731 ; was ordained at Boston, De- 
cember 12, 1733, in company with Stephen Parker and Ebenc- 
zer Hinsdale, as a missionary, "chosen by the Commissioners 
to the Honorable Society at Edinburgh for propagating Christ- 
ian knowledge, to carry the Gospel to the aboriginal nations on 
the borders of New England." He was installed as minister of 
Kingston, November 22, 1737, j)reaching his own installation 
sermon, from Mark T-Zl- ^^^ married Mary Thuriel, January 
17, 1738, but left no children. He died at Kingston, September 
15, 1760. His nephew, Simmons Secombe, lived with him and 
became his principal heir. Dr. Josiah Bartlett boarded in his 
family some time after his settlement in Kingston, and had the 
benefit of his library, a large and valuable one for those times. 



52 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

A list of his books, in the hand-writing of Governor Bartlett, is 
still in existence. 

JEDEDIAH PHILBRICK 

Was a son of Thomas Philbrick, Jr.; was born at Hampton 
in 1700, and in 1721 married Mary Taylor; Jeremiah, his son, 
who was one of the grantees, was born in 1722, and in 1744 
married Mary Stevens, by whom he had three children. Mr. 
Philbrick, the senior, was the second man among the grantees, 
and after the death of Major Stevens was elected to the Assem- 
bly for several consecutive years. He was designated in the 
Journal of the House as Esquire Philbrick, while the represen- 
tative from Hampton was known as Deacon Philbrick. 

OTHER GRANTEES. 

Lieutenant Samuel Colcord was born in 1656 and died Octo- 
ber 5, 1736. He had a son, Samuel B., who was a grantee, born 
August 22, 1 7 10, and married Mehitable Ladd, December 28, 
1732, by whom he had several children. His brother, Peter, 
was captured by the Indians, in May, 1724. 

Ensign Tristram Sanborn was born in 1683 ; married April 2, 
171 1, Margaret Taylor, and had six children prior to March 3, 
1729. He came to Kingston in 1705 or 1706, where he was 
deacon of the church for many years. 

Tristram Sanborn, 3d, son of the preceding, was born Feb- 
ruary 2, 1719; married Hannah Stevens, September 28, 1742, 
by whom he had two children, John, born July 30, 1743, and 
Hannah, born June 7, 1745. 

Peter Sanborn, a brother of Tristram, 3d, was born in 171 3 
and died in 18 10. 

Abraham Green was a physician, who practiced at Kingston, 
and died there April 6, 175-. 

Lieutenant Elisha Sweatt, born 1705, was deacon of the 
church in Kingston, was active in the settlement of Stevens- 
town, and held various offices of trust. He died in 1788. 

Peter Dearborn, the last in the list of grantees, was born 
November 14, 17 10; married Margaret Fifield, of Kingston, 
December 2, 1736. He resided in Chester, on home lot No. 
25. He was an earnest christian, and contributed liberally in 



THE MEN OF STEVEXSTOWN. 53 

building the first church in Kingston. He was a large land- 
owner, and it is recorded that he had "twenty-five head of 
stock." He died October 28, 1781. 

FIRST SETTLERS. 

It is traditional that there were eight families residing in the 
'township prior to 1754. As nearly as can be ascertained at 
this remote period they were as follows, and came in the order 
named. 

I St, Philip Call came previous to October 3, 1748, as appears 
from old records. Mrs. Call was said to have been the first 
white woman in the settlement, Mrs. Maloon being the second. 

2d, Nathaniel Maloon came to the town about the same time, 
from Contoocook, and made his residence in the western sec- 
tion of the town, near the site of the present Union meeting 
house. 

3d, Jacob Morrill is said to have been the third settler. He 
was a resident in 1752, for at a meeting of the grantees held at 
Jonathan Greeley's, in Kingston, sometime during that year, it 
was "Voted and granted to Jacob Morrill, that lives at Major- 
Stevenstown, so called, all our right to 60 acres of common land 
in said grant of land, the above said Morrill, carrying on his 
proportion of charges in making and carrying on the settlement 
of said grant of land, according to the number of acres, he, the 
said Morrill, has granted to him, viz: that he, the said Morrill, 
shall have that piece of common land, that he, the said Morrill, 
now lives on and so much more as to make up the said sixty 
acres, where it may be convenient, reserving for the use of said 
proprietors all such convenient highways through said granted 
sixty acres of land as shall be found wanting. The true mean- 
ing of this vote is that the above said Morrill shall have sixty 
acres of land over and above what said highway shall take out 
of said piece of land so granted to him." The above sixty acres 
was what is now a part of the "Orphans' Home" farm, at 
Franklin Lower Village, and was the third intervale lot. Nov. 
28, 1763, Morrill conveyed twenty acres of this land to Klipha- 
let Gale. 



« 



54 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

4th, Ephraim Collins settled half a mile west of the river, on 
the road leading to Shaw's Corner. He was a man of consid- 
erable importance in the town and held responsible positions. 
He was first chosen surveyor of Stevenstown by the grantees 
at Kingston, in 1759. ^^ ^7^4 ^^ ^^^s a resident in Stevens- 
town, and conveyed to Benjamin Sanborn two tracts of land 
and his intervale lot, for ;!£^340, O. T. He was buried in the 
oldest cemetery in the town, near the Orphans' Home, and the 
grave is marked by the oldest head-stone in the town. 

5th, Samuel Scribner. 

6th, Robert Barber. 

7th, John Bowen. 

8th, Jonathan Greeley. 

9th, William Silloway. 

For further notices of the above, see "Genealogy." 

OTHER EARLY SETTLERS. 

Henry Morrill married, in Kingston, January 30th, 1739, 
Susanna Folsome, of Exeter, daughter of John (or Beard) Fol- 
some, who was killed by the Indians, at Nottingham, in 1742. 
This is the same Morrill who aided Peter Bowen in burying 
Sabattis and Plausawa. Morrill came to Stevenstown and set- 
tled on Smith's hill. He had five children, a son (Henry) and 
four daughters. All are recorded as baptized between 1742 
and 1752. 

Tristram Ouimby settled opposite the E. D. Stevens farm, 
where he died in 1813. He was a soldier in the French war 
and served in the Revolution. His widow survived him many 
years. 

Jacob Ouimby was an early settler. He may possibly have 
been a relative of Edward Ouimby. (See Genealogy.) 

James Tappan, it is said, was a native of Scotland. He set- 
tled on the farm now owned by Mr. Caleb T. Roby, on North 
road, and came here about 1753. February ist, of that year, he 
bought one-eighth of the undivided land of Jonathan Greeley, 
for £64, 12 shillings, O. T. 



THE MEN OF STEVENSTOWN. 55 

William Newton came from Sandown, previous to 1754, and 
cleared up the farm now occupied by Elbridge Shaw. He 
removed to the Captain Josiah Evans farm, in that part of 
Andover now in Franklin. He was a good soldier, and served 
at West Point, Bennington, etc. 

John Jemson came here from Salem, as early as 1765, set- 
tling south of the Abraham Shaw farm, on the North road. 
The Tappans, Newtons, and Jemsons were Scotch-Irish, and 
probably related to each other. 

John Bawley (probably Burleigh) settled just east of George 
E. Fellows's present residence, in the Eastman pasture. He 
served throughout the Revolution. His children were John, 
Hannah, and Sally. John married Sarah, daughter of Moses 

Fellows; Hannah married Tucker; Sally married 

Atkinson. 

David Hall came here quite early, settling on the Joel East- 
man farm. Selling the same to David Pettengill, he removed 
to Raccoon hill. He served at Bunker Hill and throughout the 
Revolutionary war. Married — Heath, and had Abigail, born 
October 10, 1775. 

Among the other early residents, were the following, who 
were grantees : John Fifield, Jr., John Huntoon, Joseph Bean, 
Jr., Benjamin Sanborn, Jabez True, Daniel Greeley, and Tris- 
tram Sanborn. Their individual history will appear in subse- 
quent chapters. 

PROFKIETARV OFFICERS.* 

(1749.) Elisha Sweatt, m. ; Jedediah Philbrick, c. ; Elisha 
Sweatt, Benj. Stevens, Samuel Fifield, Peter Sanborn, Jedediah 
Philbrick, s. ; Jeremy Webster, sur. ^ 

(1750.) Lieut. Elisha Sweatt, m. ; Capt. Ebenezer Stevens, 
c. ; Jedediah Philbrick, Elisha Sweatt, Ebenezer Stevens, Sam- 
uel Fifield, Jonathan (ireeley, s. 

* M. indicates Moderator; c. Clerk; s. Committee chosen to call Proprietors' 
meetings, look after the interests of the grantees, &c., their olifice heing similar to 
that of the Selectmen of the present day ; col. Collector ; treas. Treasurer ; sur^ 
Surveyor. 



$6 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

(175 1.) Elisha Sweatt, m. ; Jedediah Philbrick, Esqr., c. ; 
Capt. Elisha Sweatt, Samuel Fifield, John Fifield, William 
Calef, Joshua Woodman, s. 

(1752.) Jedediah Philbrick, Esqr., m. ; W'illiam Calef, c. ; 
Benjamin Stevens, Peter Sanborn, John Webster, Samuel Fi- 
field, Joshua W^oodman, s. ; Samuel Fifield, treas. ; Jonathan 
Greeley, col. 

(1753-) Jedediah Philbrick, Esqr., m. ; Jeremy Webster, c; 
Lieut. Elisha Sweatt, Jeremy Webster, Samuel Fifield, Capt. 
Ebenezer Stevens, Peter Sanborn, s. 

(1754.) Joshua Woodman, m. ; Peter Sanborn, c. ; Capt. 
Ebenezer Stevens, Peter Sanborn, Samuel Fifield, Jonathan 
Greeley, William Calef, s. ; John Webster, col. 

(1755.) Dea. Elisha Sweatt, m. ; Peter Sanborn, c. ; Capt. 
John Ladd, William Calef, John Fifield, Benjamin Sanborn, 
Jacob Gale, s. ; Capt. Samuel Fifield, treas. ; Benjamin San- 
born, col. 

( 1756.) Capt. John Ladd, m. ; Peter Sanborn, c; Capt. Elisha 
Sweatt, Lieut. John Huntoon, John Fifield, William Calef, Capt. 
John Ladd, s. ; Capt. Samuel Fifield, treas. ; Joshua Wood- 
man, col. 

(1757.) Capt. Elisha Sweatt, m. ; Peter Sanborn, Esq., c. ; 
Col. Ebenezer Stevens, Tristram Sanborn, tertius, Capt. John 
Ladd, William Calef, Benjamin Sanborn, s. ; Capt. Samuel Fi- 
field, treas. ; Nathan Sweatt, col. 

(1758.) Elisha Sweatt, m. ; Peter Sanborn, Ebenezer Stev- 
ens, Esqr., Joshua Woodman, John Fifield, Dea. Sweatt, s. ; 
Nathan Sweatt, col. 

(1759.) Dea. Elisha Sweatt, m. ; Peter Sanborn, Esqr., c. ; 
Capt. Samuel Fifield, Peter Sanborn, Esqr., Dea. Elisha Sweatt, 
Joseph Greeley, W'illiam Calef, s. ; Nathan Sweatt, col; Ephraim 
Collins, sur. 

(1760.) Jeremy Webster, m. ; Jeremy W^ebster, c. ; Capt. 
John Ladd, William Calef, Lieut. John Huntoon, Nathan Sweatt, 
Joshua Woodman, s. ; Nathan Sweatt, col. 

(1761.) Deacon Elisha Sweatt, m. ; Col. Ebenezer Stevens, 
C. ; William Calef, John Fifield, John Huntoon, Joshua Wood- 



^ 



THE MKN OF STEVENSTOWN. 57 

man, Benj. Sanborn, s. ; Ephraim Collins, sur. ; Nathan Sweatt, 
col. 

(1762.) Capt. Trueworthy Ladcl, m. ; Col. Ebenezer Stevens, 
c. ; John Huntoon, Trueworthy Ladd, John Fifield, Dea. Elisha 
Sweatt, Ebenezer Stevens, s. ; John Calfe, col. ; Benjamin San- 
born, sur. 

(1763.) Capt. Samuel Fifield, m. ; Ebenezer Stevens, c. ; 
Deacon Elisha Sweatt, Capt. Trueworthy Ladd, Capt. Samuel 
Fifield, s. ; John Calfe, col. ; Benjamin Sanborn, sur. 

(1764.) Elisha Sweatt, m. ; Col. Ebenezer Stevens, c. ; Capt. 
Samuel Fifield, Capt. Trueworthy Ladd, Samuel Philbrick, s. ; 
John Calfe, col. ; Capt. Samuel Fifield, Trueworthy Ladd, Na- 
than Pettengill, Stephen Call and Ebenezer Webster, sur. 

(1765.) Capt. Trueworthy Ladd, m. ; Ebenezer Stevens, c. ; 
Capt. Samuel Fifield, Capt. Trueworthy Ladd, William Calfe, 
s. ; John Calfe, col. ; Capt. Nathan Pettengill, Stephen Call, sur. 

(1766.) Deacon Elisha Sweatt, m. ; Ebenezer Stevens, c. ; 
Dea. Sweatt, Capt. Samuel P'ifield, Nathan Sweatt, s. ; John 
Calfe, col. 

(1767.) Capt. John Webster, m. ; Ebenezer Stevens, c. ; 
Joshua Woodman, Ebenezer Stevens, Joseph Bean, Dea. Elisha 
Sweatt, Lieut. Nathan Pettengill, s. ; Jacob Gale, Shubael 
Greeley, col. ; Capt. John Webster, Ebenezer Webster, sur. 

(1768.) Deacon Elisha Sweatt, m. ; Ebenezer Stevens, c. ; 
Joshua Woodman, Dea. Elisha Sweatt, s. ; Joseph Eastman, 
William Calef, junior, Sinkler Bean, col. 

(1769.) Deacon Elisha Sweatt, m. ; Ebenezer Stevens, c. ; 
William Calef, Nathan Sweatt, Ens. John Huntoon, s. ; John 
Calef, col. ; Moses Garland, Eliphalet Gale, sur. 

(1770.) Capt. John Webster, m. ; Ebenezer Stevens, c. ; 
Joseph Bean, Ens. Jacob Gale, Joseph Bartlett, s. ; John Calfe, col. 

( 1771.) Jeremy Webster, m. ; Ebenezer Stevens, c. ; Joshua 
Woodman, Ebenezer Stevens, Maj. Jacob Gale, s. ; Capt. John 
Calef, col. 

(1772.) William Calef, m. ; Col. P^benezer Stevens, c. ; Col. 
Ebenezer Stevens, Joshua Woodman, Esqr., Col. Josiah l^art- 
lett, Dea. Elisha Sweatt, s. ; Capt. John Calfe, col. 



58 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

( 1775.) Dea. Elisha Sweatt, m. ; Col. Ebenezer Stevens, c. ; 
Col. Josiah Bartlett, Ebenezer Stevens, Capt. John Huntoon, 
s. ; John Calfe, col. 

(1779.) Capt. John Webster, m. ; John Collins, c. 

The last record of the Proprietors was made in 1801, when 
Colonel Ebenezer Webster was Moderator, and Andrew Bowers, 
Clerk. As the town of Salisbury was organized in 1768, there 
was no necessity for the Proprietors to continue their organi- 
zation. It was however done in many towns, and in Concord 
the practice is still maintained. 



CHAPTER VI 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 

" Xow from the hurrying train of Life 

Fly backward, far and fast, 
The mile-stones of the Fathers, 

The landmarks of the past." 

THE INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN. 

Immediately after the passage of the Act of 1766, to enable 
the Proprietors of Stevenstown to raise money by a direct tax, 
to carry on the settlement of the town and defray the necessary 
expenses, a petition was presented by residents in the township 
to His Excellency the Governor, for an Act of Incorporation. 

(1767.) .The ratable estate in the town at this time was 
inventoried at ^{^1701 ; the number of polls was 52, and the 
population 210. Concord had then 750 inhabitants, Canterbury 
500, and Boscawen 2S5 ; while the territory to the north, Hav- 
erhill and Plymouth excepted, was for the most part entirely 
unsettled. 

( 1768.) On the first day of March, Governor Wentworth, in 
the name of King George the Third, declared and ordained the 
township, called Stevenstown, to be a town corporate, vested 
and incorporated into a body politic by the name of S.\li.si5urv, 
as will appear bv his hand and the seal of the Province. 

In this charter, as in others given under similar circumstan- 
ces, there are points deserving particular attention. It purports 
to be given by the king, of his "especial grace" and "certain 
knowledge," and "with the advice of our trusty and well-beloved 
Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of New 
Hampshire," when in fact the king had no "certain knowledge" 



60 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

about it, and exercised no "especial grace" to the inhabitants 
of the township; nor did he ever see the petition "humbly" 
offered, as represented in the preamble to the grant of incor- 
poration. The introduction to the charter was a mere form to 
gratify the vanity of the sovereign and to represent the dignity 
and authority of the British throne. The document was made 
by the direction of the Governor of the Province, of his "espec- 
ial grace," and was modestly signed "J. Wentworth," with no 
title or designation of official position attached to the signature. 

It was once thought, and is still believed, even by eminent 
jurists and statesmen, that prior to the Revolution justices of 
the peace, coroners, notaries-public, and similar officers were 
commissioned by the king, over his own "sign manual," but we 
are unable to find any evidence to sustain such belief. 

This charter was to continue at the pleasure of the grantor, 
which proved to be perpetual. The charter of Boscawen, con- 
ferred in 1762, was to continue but two years, though it was 
readily renewed at the expiration of that time. Other charters 
were variously restricted, and but few contained as liberal pro- 
visions as that of Salisbury. 

THE CH.ARTEK. 

Province of New Hampshire. 

[Z. 6".] George the Third, liy the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and 
Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth. 

To all to whom these Presents shall come — Greeting. 

Whereas our loyal subjects, Inhabitants of a tract of land within our Province 
of New Hampshire, aforesaid. Known by the name of .Stevens-Town lying between 
Boscawen on the East and New Breton, so called on the West,* and containing by 
estimate, thirty six square miles, have humbly Petitioned and Requested us, that 
they may be erected and Incorporated into a Township and Enfranchised with the 
same Powers and Privileges as other towns within our said Province, by law, have 
and enjoy ; and it appearing unto us conducive to the general good of our Province, 
as well as of the said Inhabitants, in particular, by maintaining good order and 
encouraging the culture of the land, that the same should be done, — 

Know ye, therefore. That we of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and for the 
encouragment and promoting the good purposes and ends, aforesaid, by and with the 

*This error was probably adopted in consequence of the belief once entertained 
that the Merrimack river had only an easterly course. 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 6 1 

advice of our trusty and well beloved John NN'entworth Esq. our Governor, and Com- 
mander in Chief, and, of our Council for our I'rovince of New Hampshire, have 
erected and ordained, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do will 
and ordain, that the Inhabitants of a tract of land shall inhabit and improve thereon 
hereafter — the same being butted and bounded as follows — viz: — Beginning at a 
White Oak tree, standing on the bank of Merrimack River six rods southerly from 
a deep gutter running into the River, said tree being marked on four sides; thence 
running west 17° deg's. south, nine miles; then beginning again at the river at the 
said White Oak, and running upon the river northerly above "The Croch" upon 
Pemigewasset river to a large rock in the bank of the river, at the head of Pemige- 
wasset Oreat Falls; thence running west 15 degs. south, nine miles; thence on a 
straight line from the westerly end of this line to the westerly end of the line first 
mentioned, be and hereby are declared and ordained to be a Town corporate and 
are hereby erected and incorporated into a body Politic and Corporate, to have 
continuance during our pleasure, by the name of .S.mjshl'RY, with all the Powers 
and authorities, Privileges, Immunities and franchises, which any other town in the 
said I'rovince, by law holds; and [we] convey to the said Inhabitants, or who shall 
hereafter Inhabit there, to their successors for said Town, always reserving to us 
and our successors all white pine trees, that are or shall be found growing and being 
on the said Tract of Land, fit for the use of our Royal Navy, reserving also to us, 
our heirs and successors, the Powers and Rights of dividing said town when it shall 
appear necessary and convenient for the Inhabitants thereof. Provided nez'ertheless, 
and it is hereby declared that this charter and grant is not intended and shall not 
in any manner be construed to affect the Private Property of the soil, within the 
limits aforesaid. 

And, as the several Towns within our said Province are hereby by the laws 
thereof enabled and authorized to assemble and by a majority of the voters present, 
to choose all such officers and transact such affairs as in the said laws are declared. 

We do by these presents nominate and appoint Capt Jn. Webster, Esqr. to call 
the first meeting of said Inhabitants to be held within the said Town, at any time 
within fifty days from the date hereof, giving legal notice of the time, place and 
design of holding such meeting; after which the annual meeting in said town shall 
be held for the choice of said officers and the purpose aforesaid, on the 2d Tuesday 
of March annually. 

In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of our Province to be appended, 
this 1st day of March, 176S. 

J. WEXTWORTH. 

WARRANT FOR A MEETING. 

Province ok New IIami'shire. 

Whereas the town of .Stevenstown, so called, in s'd Province is now by His 
Excellency's order Erected & Incorporated into a P.ody corporate & Politick, by 
the name of Salisbury & by his E.xeellency's Pleasure I am appointed to call the 
first meeting of the inhabitants of s'd Town. 

These are therefore to warn & give notice to the inhabitants of s'd Salisbury 
to .Assemble and Meet together at the house of Mr. Andrew Pettengill in s'd Salis- 



62 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

bury on the first Tuesday in April next, at ten of the clock in s'd Day, then & 
there when Met, to choose a Town Clerk, Constable, Selectmen & all other Town 
Officers, as the law directs for s'd year ensuing. 

Also to see if the inhabitants will Vote to Raise the Money that hath Been 
Expended in Procuring the Charter of s'd Town, & to pass any other vote that Shall 
be thought Proper at s'd Meeting. 

Given Under My Hand this 14th iJay of March, Anno Dom. 176S. 

JOHN WEBSTER. 
By His Excellency's Order. 

FIRST MEETING. 

In accordance with the foregoing call, the legal voters of the 
new town of Salisbury met, on Tuesday, the 7th day of April, 
1768, at the house of Andrew Pettengill, who resided at what 
is now known as the South Road Village, on the site occupied 
by Thomas D. Little, and chose officers and transacted business, 
as recorded by the Town Clerk, as follows : 

First — Capt. John Webster was chosen Moderator for s'd meeting. 

2ndly, Sinkler Bean, chosen Town Clerk for the year ensuing. 

3dly, Andrew Bohonnon, chosen Constable for the year ensuing. 

4thly, Messrs. Stephen Call, Joseph Bean tS; Thomas Chase, chosen Selectmen 
for the ensuing year. 

5thly, Sinkler Bean and Matthew I'ettengill chosen Assessors for the ensuing 
year. 

6thly, John Jemson iX: Abel Tandy chosen tithing men for the year ensuing. 

7thly, Eliphalet Gale, Wm. Calef, Nathaniel Meloon, sen'r & Hezekiah Silleway 
chosen Surveyors for the year ensuing. 

Sthly, John Fellows & Daniel Bean chosen fence viewers for the year ensuing. 

Qthly, John Jemson & Ephraim Collins chosen Howards for the year ensuing. 

lothly, Stephen Call, chosen leather sealer for the ensuing year. 

iithly, Abel Tandy and Thomas Chase, chosen Surveyors of lumber for the 
year ensuing. 

I2thly, Voted that some part of Benjamin Sanborn's Barn be used as a sufficient 
Pound the year ensuing. 

I3thly, Daniel Bean chosen Pound Keeper for the year ensuing. 

I4thly, Andrew Pettingill chosen Field driver, for the year ensuing. 

I5thly, Capt. John Webster, John Collins & John Fellows, chosen a Committee 
to examine & adjust the Selectmen's accompts, for the year ensuing. 

i6thly, Voted that the money be Raised by way of Rate, that hath been expen- 
ded in procuring the Corporation & Charter of the Town. 

ijthly, \'oted that Four Dollars be Raised to purchase a Town Book & like- 
wise to pay Esq Clough for Swearing the Town Officers. 

SINKLER BEAN, 
T. Clerk. 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 63 

USE OF THK WORD "DOLLAR." 

The term dollars, used instead of pounds, undoubtedly has 
reference to Spanish dollars, which were in frequent use at this 
date and previously. The town of Boscawen, in 1762, voted to 
pay the minister a given number of "dollars, at six pounds per 
dollar." In 1767, Boscawen voted to give the minister "a right 
of land," which contained eighty acres, at a cost of "eighty 
dollars," and in 1768 that town voted "one hundred dollars 
towards building a meeting house." Warner also, in 1771, voted 
to give the minister "one hundred dollars in labor" ; and other 
towns, at their annual meetings, made appropriations in "dol- 
lars" as well as in pounds. 

In the preceding records several officers are named which at 
the present day are not recognized. A "hayward," or "how- 
ard," was an officer who had the care of the hedges, and who 
impounded cattle running at large. "Tithing men," originally 
appointed to collect tithes, were officers to maintain order in 
the time of religious service and to enforce the observance of 
the Sabbath. Within the memory of people now living, tithing 
men have executed the law in restraining travelling on the 
Sabbath, and in quieting disturbances occurring on the Lord's 
day. They were usually hard-faced and exacting men, very 
rigid in the performance of that duty. 

AX OPPRESSIVE GOVERNMENT. 

( 1770.) No local act of importance is on record for this year, 
but there is beginning to appear a state of unrest throughout 
New England, in which the Province of New Hampshire and 
the new town of Salisbury had their share of anxiety. The 
"home government " was yearly becoming more exacting. She 
was determined to raise a revenue from her American colonies. 
The Stamp Act had been passed, and at length repealed. The 
Act imposing a tax on tea had also been passed, but proved no 
less odious than the Stamp Act. Soldiers had been stationed 
in Boston by the crown, and this year, on the 5th of March, 
occurred the event known as the Boston Massacre. 



64 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

( 1772.) At the annual meeting in March, the to\Yn voted 
"forty dollars to support preaching," and in December follow- 
ing it was voted "to give Mr. Searle fifty pounds, to be paid in 
labor, in clearing up the parsonage land and putting it in a con- 
dition for cultivation the next year." 

AN ECONOMICAL MEASURE. 

(1773.) The town voted "to choose a committee to send 
down to Amherst in order for them to proceed in some method 
or other to prevent the unreasonable charges that are likely to 
come against the county on account of Kelly and Thomas break- 
ing gaol." Josoph Bean, Ebenezer Webster, and Edward East- 
man were chosen for that purpose. 

CHOICE OF JURORS. 

On the 1st of September, Ebenezer Webster was chosen 
grand juror from Salisbury, and Andrew Pettengill petit juror. 
It was voted "to give the petit juror twelve shillings lawful 
money for his services." This was the first time the town had 
been called upon to furnish jurors. The clerks of the courts 
directed the sheriff to return to the court a certain number of 
men worth fifty pounds in personal estate, and from them the 
jury were selected, at a town meeting called for that purpose. 
The jurors' pay in the Superior Court was at first six shillings 
and sixpence per day. The grand jury received for each indict- 
ment thirteen shillings; the petit jury received an equal sum 
for each case tried, and each member of the grand jury received 
in addition two shillings for each day's attendance. A law 
passed in 1771 provided, "that the pay for the jurors at the 
Superior Court shall be forty shillings, new tenor, in each action 
they shall try, two thirteenths thereof shall be to and for the 
foreman." Jurors were chosen, not drawn by lot. There was 
a good reason for adopting this plan. It indicated great confi- 
dence in the popular voice, and the custom was a safe one. 
Only sensible, competent and honest men were selected for this 
grave and responsible duty in those days. 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 65 

A NEW COUNTY PROPOSED. 

During this year a meeting was held by parties from several 
towns in the northern sections of Hillsborough and Rockingham 
counties, to devise measures for the organization of a new 
county, but no effective action was recommended. 

OBNOXIOUS MEASURES. 

This year, 1773, was noted in our national history for the 
"Indian Tea Party," which was held in Boston on the evening 
of the 1 6th of December, when three hundred and forty chests 
of tea were thrown into the harbor. 

(1774.) Incensed by the action of the colonists. Parliament 
this year passed the famous Port Bill, closing the port of Bos- 
ton, thereby strengthening the determination of the American 
people to resist oppression. 

HAWKERS AND PEDDLERS RESTRAINED. 

( 1775.) On the 13th of February, a committee consisting of 
Benjamin Sanborn, Leonard Judkins, Capt. P^benezer Webster, 
Joseph Fifield and Sinkler Bean were chosen to arrest hawkers, 
peddlers and petty chapmen, and deal with them according to 
law. This was done by authority of a colonial law which was 
enacted in the year 1771, providing that no hawker, peddler, 
or other trading person going from town to town, shall be per- 
mitted to sell or offer for sale any goods, wares or merchandise, 
under a penalty of twenty pounds. 

THE CONFLICT COMMENCED. 

The first great national event of the year was the attack of 
the British regulars on the minute-men, at Lexington, on the 
19th of April. On the first of May the citizens of Salisbury 
had learned the movements of the British army, and anticipat- 
ing sudden calls to meet the enemy, they voted "to raise fifteen 
pounds, lawful money, in order to purchase ammunition for a 
town stock to be kept in Salisbury." Voted, "To choose a 
Committee of Inspection in s'd town." Capt. Kbcnezer Web- 
5 



66 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

ster, Joseph Bartlett, Joseph Bean, Esq., Capt. Matthew Petten- 
gill and Stephen Call were chosen for said committee. 

In May of this year the town chose Joseph Bean to go to 
Exeter, to consult and act on public affairs, but in June refused 
to send a delegate to Amherst for the same purpose. 

A SINGULAR VOTE. 

(1776.) At the annual meeting, March 12, it was voted "to 
take away Widow Sanders." But why she was to be "taken 
away," no explanation is given. It was customary " to warn 
out of town " any persons who were liable to become " town 
charges." It may be she was one of that class, who refused to 
go ; or it may be she was a legal resident of some other town, 
and was not able to return to her home without aid. But it 
does not appear that she was " taken away." It was only voted 
that she be taken, so far as the record shows. 

The town voted to pay the expenses of those men, who the 
year before "went to Cambridge, on express." It appears that 
several men, on hearing of the determination of the British to 
make an attack, hastened at once to aid the people at Cam- 
bridge, and the town manifested its approbation of the act by 
providing for their payment. 

At the same meeting it was voted " to Destroy all the town 
papers save such as the committee see fit to enter in the Select- 
men's Book." 

The war was progressing with terrible destruction of life and 
treasure, with a dread uncertainty as to its final results. In 
case of failure, the leading men might all die on the gallows. 
Whatever had been said or done against the authority of Eng- 
land would be produced in condemnation of the authors of such 
words and deeds. The records of towns might be searched for 
testimony in behalf of the crown. The residents of Salisbury 
were brave men, and had spoken bold words against their legal 
rulers. They were as prudent as they were daring ; and in the 
exercise of their prudence they decided to destroy all written 
evidence of their disloyalty to the king. 



CHAPTER VII. 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY — CONTINUED. 

"The land lies open and warm in the sun, 
Anvils clamor and mill wheels run ; 
Flocks on the hillside, herds on the plain, 
The wilderness gladdened with fruit and grain." 

TOWN VOTES. 

We record on these pages the important votes of the town 
relative to furnishing men and supplies for the army, but the 
heroic part which the people sustained in the Indian wars, the 
Revolution, the contests for the maintainance of national rights, 
and for the integrity of the Union, will be fully given in chap- 
ters especially devoted to those subjects. 

TOWN OFFICERS IN THE ARMY. 

(1776.) It seems that Salisbury in early times did not limit 
her service in her country's cause to the passing of votes and 
the recording of resolutions, nor to the hiring of substitutes 
and encouraging her young men and humbler citizens to go into 
the ranks of war. l^ut the strong men were ready to go — the 
men of influence and official position — as appears from the 
records. A meeting was held October 17, 1776, called to choose 
a selectman and an assessor, "to serve in the place of those 
that are absent." The selectman was Capt. Ebenezer Webster, 
and the assessor was Moses Garland, who had gone to the war. 

THE ASSOCIATION TEST, 

The Continental Congress passed and sent out the following 
resolution, to all sections of the country, in order to ascertain 



68 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

the respective strength of the friends and enemies of the patriot 
cause : 

In Congress, March i6th, 1776. 

"Resolved, That it is recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions, and 
Councils or Committees of Safety of the United Colonies, imtnediatelv to cause all 
Persons to be Disarmed within their Respective Colonies who are Xotoriously 
disaffected to the cause of America, or who have not associated, and refused to asso- 
ciate to defend by arms the united Colonies against the Hostile Attempts of the 
British Fleets and Armies." 

Extracts from the Minutes. 

CHARLES THOMPSON, Sec'y. 

This was submitted to the Committee of Safety of New Hamp- 
shire, of which Hon. Meshech Weare was the efficient head. 
He forwarded a copy to the chairman of the selectmen in every 
town, and one of the board circulated it for signatures. In 
Salisbury it was entrusted to the hands of Captain Ebenezer 
Webster. 

Colony of New Hampshire, 

In Committee of Safety, 

April 12, 1776. 

In order to carry the underwritten Resolve of the Hon'ble Continental Congress 

into Execution, you are requested to desire all Males above twenty-one years of age, 

( Lunaticks, Idiots, and Negroes excepted) to sign to the Declaration on this Paper; 

and when so done to make Return thereof, together with the name or names of all 

who shall refuse to sign the same, to the General Assembly, or Committee of Safety 

of this Colony. 

M. WEARE, Chairman. 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION. 

In consequence of the above Resolution of the Hon. Continental Congress, and 
to show our determination, in joining our American Brethren in defending our 
Lives, Liberties and Properties of the Inhabitants of the United Colonies : 

We, the Subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage, and promise, that 

WE WILL, TO the UTMOST OF OUR POWER, AND AT THE RiSQUE OF OUR LiVES 

and Fortunes, with arms, oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British 
Fleets and Armies against the United American Colonies. 

SIGNATURES. 

Ebenezer Johnson, Samuel Scribner, John Collins, 

Reuben Greele, [Greeley] William Suton, Benj'a Bean, 

Job Heath, Phineas Bean, John Jemson, . 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 



69 



John Sanborn, 
Moses Elkins, 
Robert Smith, 
Leonard Judkins, 
Shubael Greele, [y] 
David Pettengill, 
William Webster, 
John Fifield, 
Jeremiah Webster, 
Ephraim Heath, 
Nathaniel Meloon, 
Iddo Scribner, 
Benj. Scribner, 
John Scribner, 
John Challis, 
Ephraim Colby, 
Andrew Bohonan, 
Moses Seller, 
Joseph French, 
John Bowen, 
Daniel Scamell, 
Robert Barber, 
Ebenezer Clifford, 
Abel Elkins, 
Daniel \\'arran, 



Jacob True, 
Rev. Jonathan Searle, 
Andrew Pettengill, 
Jonathan Fifield, 
Benj'm Huntoon, 
Joseph Bartlett, 
Jacob Garland, 
William Searle, 
Edward Fifield, 
Ezra Tucker, 
Hezekiah Foster, 
John Bean, 
Edward Scribner, 
Joseph Marston, 
lienjamin Greele, [y] 
John Webster, Jr. 
Annaniah Bohonan, 
Gideon Dow, 
Stephen Call, 
Benj. Sanborn, 
John Webster, 
Nathaniel Marston, 
Reuben Hoyt, 
Abraham Fifield, 
Cutting Stevens, 



John Gale, 
Ebenezer Webster, 
William Calef, 
Edward Eastman, 
Jonathan Cram, 
John Row, 
William Eastman, 
Abel Tandy, 
Moses Garland, 
Eben Tucker, 
Nathaniel Meloon, Jr. 
Obediah Peters Fifield, 
Edward i^cribner, Jr. 
Moses Sawyer, 
John Fellows, 
Daniel Huntoon, 
Andrew Bohonan, Jr. 
Nathan Colby, 
Jacob Bohonan. 
Joseph Basford, 
Israel Webster, 
Matthew Pettengill, 
Joseph Fifield, 
Richard Purmont. 



This may certify to the General Assembly or Committy of Safety of the Colony 
of New Hampshire, That we, the subscribers have offered the within Declaration 
to the Inhabitants of the Town of Salisbury and they sign freely. 
Sinkler Bean, / , , EBENEZER WEBSTER, | Selectmen 

Joseph Bean, ( ^^'^^P^^'^- JONATHAN FIFIELD, \ for Salisbury. 

Nathaniel Meloon, Jr., was the third .selectman. Every male 
adult, then in town, except two, subscribed to the test, and it 
does not appear that those two were unfriendly to the cause of 
the colonies, for they were often trusted with town business, 
and aided in supplying the demands of the army. It is reported 
that one was a Quaker, and the other a Justice of the Peace 
under the royal authority. 

RLSIDEXT TA.XI'AVERS. 

Following are the names of the legal taxpayers in the town, 
as taken the previous year : 



John Ash, 
William Ash, 



Joseph Bartlett, 
Peter Bowen, 



Samuel Eaton, 
Edward Evans, 



70 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



Joseph Bean, 
Sinkler Bean, 
John Bayley, 
William Bayley, 
Daniel Brottlebank, 
George Bayley, 
Robert Barber, 
Andrew Bohonan, 
Jacob Bohonan, 
Benjamin Baker, 
Jeremiah Bowen, 
John Bowen, 
John Bean, 
Beniah Bean, 
Phineas Bean, 
Daniel Gillman, 
Benjamin Greeley, 
Moses Garland, 
Benjamin Greeley, Jr. 
Shubael Greeley, 
Reuben Greeley, 
Jacob Garland, 
David Greeley, 
Nathaniel Greeley, 
Matthew Greely, 
Nehemiah Heath, 
Job Heath, 
David Hall, 
Nathaniel Huntoon, 
Benjamin Huntoon, 
Joshua Snow, 
Benjamin Sanborn, 
Samuel Sanders, 
John Smith, 
Robert Smith, 
Jonathan Searle, 
Benjamin Scribner, 
William Searle, 
Peter Severance, 



Annaniah Bohonan, 
Thomas Challis, 
John Challis, 
Ephraim Colby, 
Nicholas Colby, 
Ebenezer Clifford, 
True worthy Chase, 
John Collins, 
Stephen Cross, 
Jonathan Cram, 
Enoch Chase, 
Simeon Chote, 
William Chase, 
William Calef, 
William Eastman, 
Benjamin Hayward, 
Joseph B. Hoyt, 
Ephraim Heath, 
Reuben Hoyt, 
Leonard Judkins, 
Caleb Judkins, 
Ebenezer Johnson, 
James Johnson, 
John Jemson, 
.Samuel Loverin, 
Joseph Loverin, 
Philip Lufkin, 
Nathaniel Lovel, 
William Kezar, 
Samuel Kezar, 
Cutting .Stevens, 
Moses Sawyer, 
Samuel Rowe, 
Elisha Sanborn, 
Ezra Tucker, 
Ebenezer Tucker, 
Jacob True, 
Abel Tandy, 
John Webster, 



Edward Eastman, 
Benjamin Eastman, 
John Fellows, 
Jonathan Fellows, 
Jonathan Fifield, 
Winthrop Fifield, 
Joseph Fifield, 
Abraham Fifield, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Ezekiel Fellows, 
Isaac Fitts, 
Joseph Fitts, 
Joseph French, 
Moses Fellows, 
John C. Gale, 
Jacob Morrill, 
Joseph Marston, 
Nathaniel Marston, 
Nathaniel Meloon, Jr. 
Matthew Pettengill, 
Andrew Pettengill, 
Benjamin Pettengill, 
Richard Purmont, 
David Pettengill, 
Dudley Palmer, 
Samuel Pillsbury, 
Iddo .Scribner, 
John Sanborn, 
Edward Scribner, 
Daniel Stevens, 
Ebenezer Webster, 
Jeremiah Webster, 
Moses Woodman, 
Joseph Webster, 
John Webster, Jr. 
William Webster, 
Israel Webster. 



FURNISHING SOLDIERS FOR THE ARMY. 

(1777.) March 3i.st, a town warrant was issued for a meet- 
ing of the legal voters, at the meeting house, on four days' 
notice, "to see what encouragement the town will vote to give 
to ten able bodied men to serve in the Continental army as sol- 
diers during the war with Great Britain, or for three years." 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. yi 

The first bridge was this year built over the Blackwater, on 
the centre rangeway. 

It was also voted to choose a committee to see "what each 
man must have that doth go into the Continental service for 
three years in behalf of sd town." Capt. John Webster, Capt. 
Matthew Pettengill and Lieut. Robert Smith were chosen as 
the committee. The selectmen and assessors were authorized 
to "estimate what each man hath done in the service of the 
war." It was voted to give "ten men seventy dollars each who 
should go to the war for three years." 

On the 22d of May, it was voted "to choose five men to reg- 
ulate the prices of sundry articles." Chose Capt. John Web- 
ster, Capt. Ebenezer Webster, Nathaniel Meloon, Jr., Capt. 
Matthew Pettengill, and Jonathan Cram as the committee. 
There is no record of the acts of the committee appointed for 
this purpose ; but it is worthy of notice that during this year 
there was a general demand for a restriction in prices. In 
accordance with public sentiment the General Assembly passed 
an Act regulating values of products, when used as a substitute 
for money, in e.xchange for commodities, or in the payment of 
debts. The prices were as follows : 



F-eans 6 o Pease S 

Butter o lo Potatoes 2 

Corn 3 6 Pork o 



d. 



> 



Cheese 6 Rum, \V 1 6 S 

Coffee I 4 Rum, N E 3 10 

Cotton 3 S Rye 4 6 

Coarse Linen 4 o Salt 10 o 

Farm Labor 3 4 Sole Leather i 6 

Flannel 3 o Sugar o S 

Fla.\ I o Stockings 6 o 

Hides o 3 Tow Cloth 2 3 

Iron 41 o Wheat 7 6 

.Molasses 3 4 Wool 2 o 

( »ats 2 I 

Voted, "That all the men of this town that have done any- 
thing in the war since the 17th of April, Anno Domini 1775, 

shall be allowed therefor according to the discretion of the 
committee chosen for that purpose." 



72 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Voted "Fifteen Dollars to Capt. Ebenezer Webster, and John 
Bowen for money they paid to Reuben Hoitt, on account of the 
town." The town would not allow private persons to pay boun- 
ties which were offered by town authority. 

(1778.) During the year the vote formerly passed, to hire 
ten men for the Continental service, was rescinded. It was 
voted "to make an average in said town," but it does not appear 
what constituted "an average." Very likely it was the design 
of the voters to equalize the expenses of furnishing soldiers for 
the war. 

It was also voted that "each month, what each man hath done 
in the service of war shall be allowed alike;" "that each man 
that hath done service for the town, that are now inhabitants in 
s'd town, shall be allowed 30 Dollars per month." Jonathan 
Fifield and Joseph Bartlett were chosen "to assist with the 
Selectmen as a committee to examine what has been done in 
the service of war." 

It was voted that when men are required for the service, "the 
company be called together, the proposals that the State offers 
be heard, and if men decline enlisting" for those proposals," then 
Benjamin Huntoon and Edward Eastman with the selectmen 
be a committee to assist the officers in procuring the men for 
the town. The citizens of Salisbury, with rare exceptions, were 
ready to furnish men for the service and to provide liberally for 
their pay. 

This year Ebenezer Webster and Matthew Pettengill were 
chosen delegates to a convention at Concord, for forming a State 
Constitution. 

In the September following. Voted, "To re-consider the vote 
that was passed, to give Thirty Dollars per month, upon this 
supposition that the Committee that Shall be Hereafter Chosen, 
with the Selectmen, make an Inventory of each man's Estate & 
Estimate what Each man has done in this Present war, & Esti- 
mate The currency upon the Produce of the Country, that Those 
men that have not Done according to their Interest, be Called 
upon by a tax or Draft till they have Done Equal to Those that 
have already Done Service in the war, according to interest." 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 73 

Capt. Ebenezer Webster and Capt. John Webster were chosen 
to assist the selectmen, as a committee. 

(1779.) i\Iay 24, Voted, "To Choose a Committee in order 
for them to make up of the proposed methods to procure the 
Proprietors' Book of Records of Said Town, for the Use of this 
town ; and for Said Committee to Proceed to accomplish said 
Business, as soon as may be." 

"Chose Jonathan Fifield, P2dward Eastman and Dr. Joseph 
Bartlett." 

Voted, "To recommend the appointment of Joseph Bartlett 
as Justice of the Peace." 

July 12. A meeting was called to proceed upon some proper 
method "to raise four Continental soldiers during the war, or for 
a year or so, yearly, during the war. Likewise two soldiers to 
serve si.\ months at Rhode Island, agreeably to orders from Col. 
Stickney and Capt. Ebenezer Webster." 

"Capt. IMatthew Pettengill and Capt. Ebenezer Webster were 
chosen a committee to assist the Selectmen in procuring the 
above men." 

July 28. The people were called on to give their votes, for 
or against, "the Declaration of Rights and Plan of Government, 
formed by the Convention of Delegates of said State, chosen 
for that purpose, which met at Concord." Each article was 
read, and discussed separately, and the whole were rejected by 
a vote of forty-five to none ! 

Sept. 13. "Capt. John Webster was chosen a delegate to go 
to Concord and meet other delegates to establish prices on 
commodities." 

DEPRECI.VTION IN' THE CURRENCY. 

( 1780.) This year the town appropriated si.x thousand dollars 
for repairing and building highways, and twelve dollars were 
allowed for a day's work ! This was double the sum raised the 
preceding year, and the price of labor was fifty per cent more in 
dollars, but owing to the depreciation in money it was probably 
of about the same real value. 



74 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

It was voted to increase the minister's salary "Ten Double," 
also to build four school houses. 

March 15. The legislature on this day proposed an Act 
assigning upon the people of the State, for public use, two 
millions and one hundred and sixty thousand pounds. The 
proportion of Salisbury was 17,820 pounds, one-third to be paid 
by June ist, one-sixth by August ist, one-third afterwards. 

MORE MEN. 

June 29. A meeting was called to raise five men to join the 
Continental army for six months, the town choosing Capt. 
Ebenezer Webster, Lt. Robert Smith, Lt. William Calef, Ens. 
Joseph Fifield, Capt. Benjamin Pettengill, Dr. Joseph Bartlett, 
and Capt. Matthew Pettengill, as a committee to hire the men. 

July 10. Voted, "To choose six persons as a Committee to 
join the former Committee for the purpose of making an aver- 
age," "of what each man hath done during the last war," and 
chose Capt. Matthew Pettengill, Elder Benjamin Hunton, Ens. 
Joseph Fifield, Lt. Robert Smith, John Collins Gale, and Capt. 
Benjamin Pettengill. 

A COLD WINTER. 

The winter of 1779-80 was remarkable for the severity of the 
weather. Historians say that for "forty days, including the 
whole month of March, there was no perceptible thawing on 
the south side of any house." Snow laid four feet deep upon 
the level, from the middle of November to the middle of the 
following April. 

THE DARK DAY. 

During the year there were many wonderful auroral displays, 
and several large spots were seen upon the sun, while just pre- 
vious to the dark day it is stated that a strong smell of sulphur 
pervaded the atmosphere. On the 19th of May, 1780, occurred 
the Black Friday, or Dark Day, as it is called. On the event- 
ful morning the sun rose clear, but soon became obscured by 
clouds and smoke. By the middle of the day it was so dark 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 75 

that the fowls went to roost, and in the houses candles were 
lighted to see by. During the remainder of the day a sickly, 
melancholy gloom hung over the earth, while the first part of 
the night was equally dark, although the moon was at the full. 
Jonathan Calef's wife related the following incident : She and 
her father (Moses Garland) were out planting corn, when it 
began to grow dark so fast that her father sent her in the house, 
he fearing harm of some description. 

The following lines, by an unknown writer of that date, are 
descriptive of the event : 

" 'T was oil a May day of the far old year, 

Seventeen hundred eighty, that there fell 

C)ver the bloom and the sweet life of Spring, 

Over the fresh earth and the heaven of noon, 

A horror of great darkness, like the night 

In day of which the Norland sages tell, — 

The Twilight of the Gods. The low-hung sky 

Was black with ominous clouds, save where its rim 

Was fringed with a dull glow, like that which climbs 

The crater's sides, from the red hell below. 

Birds ceased to sing, and all the barn-yard fowls 

Roosted; the cattle at the pasture bars 

Lowed and looked homeward ; bats on their leather wings 

Flitted abroad; the sounds of labor died ; 

Men prayed and women wept; all ears grew sharp 

To hear the doom-blast of the trumpet shatter 

The black sky, that the dreadful face of Christ 

Might look from the rent clouds, not as he looked, 

A loving guest at Bethany, but stern 

As Justice and inexorable Law." 

(1781.) Feb. 12, Voted, "To Raise our Proportion of con- 
tinental men for three years or During the War, agreeably to 
orders sent from the General Court of the State." 

Voted, "That our Proportion of men be Raised by a joint 
Charge or Expense of this whole town." 

Voted, "To Raise our Proportion of Heef for the Continental 
army this current year agreeably to orders sent from the Gen- 
eral Court." 

Voted, "To Choose a Town Treasurer, and chose Joseph 
Bean, Esq. to hire Soldiers, and to purchase Beef for said town." 



^6 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Capt. Matthew Pettengill, Capt. Ebenezer Webster, Capt. 
John Webster, Ens. Joseph Fifield, and Lieut. Robert Smith 
were chosen a committee "to Give Instruction from time to 
time to the Town Treasurer, and to call for his accounts when 
they think most proper." 

Voted, "That the above committee act in behalf of the 
town." 

( 1 78 1.) This year the town voted to raise twelve thousand 
dollars, to be "worked out " on the roads at twenty-four dollars 
per day ! It was also voted to raise money to maintain one 
school, the whole year, and that "all ox-sleds be made four feet 
between joints !"* 

The town instructed the selectmen to " look out for a place 
and build a bridge over the Blackwater." 

THE CONSTITUTION-. 

(1782.) Jan. 8, a special town meeting was held to act on 
the proposed Constitution, and it was voted to choose a com- 
mittee to consist of nine persons, to consult upon the Constitu- 
tion and report at an adjournment, consisting of Joseph Bean, 
Esq., Joseph Bartlett, Esq., Jonathan Fifield, Lieut. John Pier- 
son, Jacob Cochran, Dea. John Collins, Capt. Ebenezer Web- 
ster, Lieut. Robert Smith, and Ensign Joseph Fifield. 

Jan. 15. Met on adjournment. Voted, "That there be an 
amendment made to the 7th Article in the Bill of Rights by 
this addition, 'Without a voice of the General Assembly.'" 

Voted, "To reject the manner of electing Senators and Rep- 
resentatives, asserting that every man of lawful age, being 
compos mentis and being friendly to the State and a proper 
Resident thereof, and of the Protestant Religion, has a right 
to elect and to be elected into either branch of the General 
Assembly." 

Voted, " That the Governor when elected ought not to have 
power to Build or Demolish fortifications, without advice of 
Council." 

* A regulation probably made with reference to breaking out roads. 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. "JJ 

Voted, "The Governor may be elected Annually, so long as 
the People shall unite in his Abilities and good Conduct." 

Voted, "To leave it with the Selectmen and Committee to 
state the objections." 

March 12. Voted, " To send a Delegate to Concord, the first 
Tuesday in June." 

The officers of the town for the first time were this year chosen 
by hand vote, but no treasurer was chosen. It is recorded that 
the ministerial tax of a citizen belonging to the Society of 
Friends was remitted, an example of religious toleration seldom 
exhibited in those times. 

THE FIRST GU.N .SHIP. 

The "America," a 74-gun ship, built at Portsmouth by orders 
from Congress, was launched on the 5th of November. This 
was the first line-of-battle ship built in the country, and was 
undoubtedly made staunch with timber reserved for the use of 
"the royal navy." 

PAYING WAR CLAIMS. 

( 1783.) April 7, Voted, "That the Soldiers engaged for three 
years, in 1777, Shall receive Again what the Treasurer Allowed 
to the Town in the year 1783 on their account." For some 
reason, which does not appear by the record, the Treasurer did 
not pay to certain soldiers the amount due them, but left it in 
the treasury, subject to the action of the town; and now, after 
the lapse of six years, in a legal town meeting it was voted to 
pay the arrearage. 

THE CONSTITUTION ONCE MORE. 

Sept. 8. Again the question of accepting the State Consti- 
tution was brought before the town, and it was voted "to alter 
the Eighteenth Article in the confederation agreeably to the 
proposal of Congress." 

Voted, "That the Executive Power in the State of New 
Hampshire Shall be lodged with a President and Council, as 
Proposed by the Convention." 



78 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Voted, "To Give twenty Dollars per Head for old wolves 
and Ten Dollars per head for young Do. — to those Catching 
them, belonging to this town." 

IMPORTANT EVENTS. 

This year several important events occurred. The Treaty of 
Peace between England and America was signed ; the American 
army was disbanded ; the British evacuated New York and 
Charleston, and Washington surrendered his commission and 
bade farewell to his companions in arms. 

A NEW COUNTY AGAIN PROPOSED. 

( 1785.) For a period of fourteen years, from the organization 
of counties, the sessions of the courts for Hillsborough county 
had been held only at Amherst. But the people in the northern 
section began to demand better accommodations for the transac- 
tion of county business. They voted that the courts should be 
held in the centre of the county, or that a portion of them should 
go to the northern section. The people of Salisbury were inter- 
ested, partly on account of their great distance from the shire 
town and partly with the hope of having their own town made 
a half shire. At the annual meeting this year it was voted, 
"To have all the Courts in and for the County of Hillsboro' 
held in the Centre of the County, or otherwise to have a New 
County." 

Petitions to the General Court, to establish a half shire were 
presented by several towns, which resulted in an Act of the 
Legislature, in 1790, removing a portion of the county business 
to Hopkinton. Though not acceptable to the people of all the 
neighboring towns, it was a more favorable location for the 
northern section than Amherst, and there was a general acqui- 
esence in the Act. Hopkinton was now an important and a 
growing town. A court house was at once built for the use of 
the county, and was occupied for the inauguration of Governors 
and the holding of legislative sessions, four times within a period 
of ten years preceding 1808. 



municipal history. 79 

wise's ferry. 

This same year the town voted "to petition the General Court 
for the privilege of a ferry across the Merrimack River." 
"Wise's Ferry" was subsequently established. 

MOKE ABOUT PAPER MONEY. 

( 1786.) Voted, "To allow Joseph Bean for the paper money 
he lost by counterfeit in the year 1780." The paper currency 
of the country had become so much depreciated as to be of 
scarcely more value than an equal amount of white paper. The 
people of the town, as well as of other towns in the State, had 
become thoroughly disgusted with it, and in the autumn of this 
year voted "not to have any paper money on any plan at 
present." 

UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION RATIFIED, 

(1788.) The Legislature, on the 21st of June of this year, 
ratified the Constitution of the United States, making the 
requisite number of States to establish the validity of that 
instrument. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



CIVIL HISTORY, CONCLUDED. 



" For we are the same that our fathers have been, 
We see the same sights that our fathers have seen. 
We drink the same stream, and we view the same sun. 
And we run the same course that our fathers have run. 



THE FRUITS OF PEACE. 

From the time the people of the young colonies threw off 
the British yoke, to 1790, was an eventful era in our nation's 
history, and especially in our own State. The adoption of the 
Federal Constitution, in 1787-1788, and the re-organization of 
the State government, which went into force June 10, 1784, 
brought about a new order of things; and the inhabitants, hav- 
ing been freed from an.xieties and doubts, settled down to the 
quiet and profitable pursuits of peace ; and, from this time on, 
the population of the town rapidly and steadily increased. 
Public confidence grew apace and prosperity began to send 
forth her sun-lit smiles. 

TAXES. 

(1791.) April 12, Voted, "That those ta.xes committed to 
Dea. John Collins, by the title of Continental and State Debt, 
be not collected at all." 

Voted, "That the Present Selectmen be a Committee to take 
back those taxes, and also the Meeting house frame ta.v, in Mr. 
Jonathan Fifield's hand." 

The latter vote shows that at least part of the Congrega- 
tional church building tax had been collected ; but there being 
6 



82 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

SO much disatisfaction relative to the erection of the building, 
it was judged best not to build by a tax upon the town but by 
private contributions. 

THE PARSONAGE LAND. 

(1793.) April 15, Voted "to re-lease the Parsonage land for 
the term of 999 years, and the Selectmen be the persons to 
re-lease the same in behalf of the town." 

The income derived yearly from this lease was to be ex- 
pended for the support of the ministry. 

THE GREAT FROST. 

(1794.) May 17, occurred what is known as the "great 
frost," destroying the grain crop for that season throughout the 
country, except the winter wheat and winter rye. 

MINUTE MEN PAID. 

Nov. 3. "Voted to choose a Committee of seven men to 
consult what encouragement to offer to those men who shall 
Engage as Minute men and report to this meeting." 

"Voted Coll. Ebz'r. Webster, Capt. John C. Gale, Joseph 
Bartlett, Esqr., Lt. Joseph Adams, Benjamin Whittemore, 
Moses Eellows & Lieut. Joseph Fifield shall be s'd Committee." 
After an hour's adjournment the committee reported the fol- 
lowing, and it was — 

"Voted that the town make up the wages of each man to 
Seven Dollars per month from the time they shall march, while 
in actual service, and also to furnish each man with one good 
Blanket Gratis, when called to march, and also to give each 
man one Dollar as a bounty when he enlisteth, and also when 
called to march to pay each man five dollars as advance pay." 
The above stipulations were made for forty men, 

POST GUIDES. 

(1795.) "Voted to pay William Williams 15 shillings for 
painting Post Guides y 

This was the commencement of placing "guide boards" or 
"finger marks" at the corners where two or more roads met. 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 83 

They were put up in accordance with an Act of the Legislature 
requiring their erection. 

This year the income from the parsonage lands was divided 
between the two societies. 

CHURCH MUSIC. 

(1799.) March 4, "Voted to give liberty for the whole of 
the front gallery to be altered & occupied as Singers' Seats." 

In olden times there were no rules for singing. All sang as 
they pleased, and such tunes as were supposed to be familiar 
to most of the congregation. The singing was mostly ''by 
rote." 

The first settlers of Salisbury sang "Psalms"; then came 
hymnology. The singing at church was congregational. The 
minister read the psalm and repeated the first two lines, which 
the chorister took up and sang. A deacon in his seat, directly 
in front of the pulpit, then read a line which the congregation 
joined in singing, then another line was read and sung, and so 
on through the psalm. This was called "deaconing the psalm," 
A reform in the matter of singing seemed to be demanded ; 
singing schools were taught, singing books introduced, and 
the "church choir" became an institution in divine worship. 
Minister and people alike saw the necessity of uniformity and 
a leader in singing, that there must be rules governing the 
rhythm, and regulating the time, and that the people must learn 
"to sing by note instead of by rote." 

To bring about this new order of things a great commotion 
was produced, and not unfrequently disturbances were created ; 
but the ''Singing Master was abroad." Singing books were 
published, and the people soon became satisfied that the new 
way was the best ; and the old custom had to give way to the 
new, or the more modern. During the last decade of the last 
century, hymn-books were introduced, and with them came the 
bass-viol and other instruments. Previous to the introduction 
of the bass-viol, the "pitch pipe" and the "pitch fork" were 
used for "striking the key note" and for "setting the tune." 
Jeremy Webster was the first leader of church music that there 



84 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

is any record or tradition of in the town. Later ones are 
mentioned in the biography. Abial Wardwell taught singing 
schools at this time, and for several years. He and Jeremy 
Webster lived on the South road about a mile from the meet- 
ing house. Enoch Little, of Boscav^^en, an excellent teacher, 
taught singing schools in Salisbury. 

THE MEETING HOUSE BELL. 

(1800.) Stephen Webster was voted seven dollars for ring- 
ing the "meeting house bell" for one year. This is the first 
notice of the church bell. It was probably bought and hung in 
1799, and was noted far and wide for its clearness of sound. It 
has been said that residents of Springfield went to church by the 
ringing of this bell. It is quite certain that people in all the 
surrounding towns went to church, to their work, and returned 
to their meals by this signal. It could be distinctly heard at 
Concord, sixteen miles away. 

(1804.) The General Court established the second Tuesday 
in March as the day for the annual town meeting. 

PARTY CELEBRATIONS. 

( 1805.) Daniel Webster delivered the Fourth of July oration 
to the Federalists, at the "South Road," and Thomas Hale 
Pettengill to the Democrats, then called Republicans, at the 
"Center Road." 

ACTION REGARDING THE MEETING HOUSE, 

(1806.) April 25, "Voted to sell the floor seats on the east 
side of the broad alley of the South Road meeting house." 

"Voted to choose a Committee to erect pews and dispose of 
them at Public Sale." 

"Voted that John Sweat, Andrew Bowers, and Joel Eastman 
be a Committee for the above purpose." 

"Voted that the proceeds of the sale of s'd pews be de- 
livered into the hands of the Selectmen, and they are ordered 
to lay it out in painting the Meeting-house, and such other 
repairs as they shall think proper." Four pews were finished 



MUNICIPAL HISTORV. 85 

and sold at auction, at the house of Josiah Rogers, October i. 
Ten per cent was paid down and the remainder in sixty days 
with interest. 

Pew No. 59, sold to Levi llean, for $74-50 

Pew No. 60, sold to Capt. David Pettengill, for 73--5 

Pew No. 61, sold to Josiah Rogers, for 57 -oo 

Pew No. 62, sold to Archelas Adams, for 56.00 

( 1807.) The Journal of the House of Representatives shows 
that a motion was made that the session of the General Court, 
which by the Constitution is to be held in June next, be holden 
at Salisbury. The motion prevailed by a vote of 83 to 72. 

June 18, the Senate amended the House vote, by striking 
out the word "Salisbury," and inserting "Concord." The House 
refused to concur in the amendment. The bill fell between the 
two houses, and Salisbury thereby failed to be honored'by the 
presence of the Legislature of 1808. 

FOURTH OF JULY ORATION. 

(1808.) An oration was delivered at the Center Road, on 
the Fourth of July, by Ichabod Bartlett, then a Senior in Dart- 
mouth College. 

COLD FRIDAY. 

( 1 8 10.) Friday, the loth of January, was one of the coldest 
days ever known in Salisbury Very little snow had fallen all 
winter, while at this time there was none. Rev. Mr. Runnels, 
in his History of Sanbornton, says: "From the mild tempera- 
ture of forty-three degrees above zero, at sunset the evening 
before, the mercury sank to sixteen degrees below zero in six- 
teen hours." Few people ventured out of doors. To stand in 
the door, throw out water, and see it strike the ground frozen, 
was enough to satisfv the most incredulous. The wind was 
very strong and destructive. Caleb Morse, then an occupant 
of the one-story part of Sylvester Greene's house, where he 
carried on the hatter's trade, aided by his apprentice, "chained 
the roof of the building down to keep it from blowing away." 



86 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

His son Stephen says that his father sent him to the D. J. 
Mann house, after a pail of milk. On the way home the milk 
froze and the wind carried away his heavy cap, which was never 
found. 

CHECK LIST. 

(1813.) The check list was first used at the annual March 
meeting, a law requiring its use having been passed by the 
Legislature the year previous. 

WARNER LINE. 

(1815.) October 9, "Voted to choose a Committee to con- 
fer with the Selectmen in procuring evidence in favor of the 
Town, respecting the Settlement of the line between this town 
and Kearsarge Gore, & lay the same before the County Com- 
mittee at their adjourned meeting." 

(1816.) November 11, "Voted that our Representative be 
instructed to oppose the granting of the Petition of Thaddeus 
Hardy to have his lands in Salisbury annexed to Warner." 

"Voted that the town do not agree to pay the Committee on 
line between Kearsarge Gore and this town." 

THE COLD SEASON. 

(1816.) This was noted as "the cold year," and great anx- 
iety was felt for food to sustain life. At this time means of 
communication were very limited, and if there should occur a 
general failure of the crops a famine was apprehended. Such 
was the apprehension in the summer of 18 16. Rev. Ebenezer 
Price, in his Chronological History of Boscawen, remarks : 

" The whole face of nature appeared shrouded in gloom. The 
lamps of heaven kept their orbits, but their light was cheerless. 
The bosom of the earth, in a mid-summer day, was covered with 
a wintry mantle, and man and beast and bird sickened at the 
prospect. Autumn returns, alas ! not to fill the arm with the 
generous sheaf, but the eye with the tear of disappointment. 
On the 6th of June, the day of general election, snow fell sev- 
eral inches deep, followed by a cold and frosty night, and the 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 8/ 

following day snow fell and frost continued. July 9th, a deep 
and deadly frost killed or palsied most vegetables. The little 
corn which had the appearance of maturity was destitute of its 
natural taste and substance. But the providence of God was 
bountiful in supplying the article of bread from the crops of rye, 
which were uncommonly good." 

A journal of the season, kept by Deacon I-^noch Little, Sr., 
of Boscawen, states: 

"The spring was very cold and backward, hay was very 
scarce, and a great deal of corn was fed to cattle, which made 
bread scarce. May was generally cold ; June very cold. The 
6th, 7th and 8th it snowed ; the ground was covered, and in the 
north part of the State it was a foot deep. June loth, frost 
killed the corn on frosty land. July 9th, frost killed both corn 
and potatoes on pine land. July 17th, hay is very short, per- 
haps half a crop — no corn silked, and little hope of a crop. 
September 27th, frost killed almost all the corn in New Hamp- 
shire and not half of it is fit to roast. October, no corn of con- 
sequence. From four acres I shall not get eight bushels fit to 
eat. November, cattle came to hay early on account of short 
feed. December, generally cold. The prospects arc alarming." 

The crop of winter wheat and winter rye saved a vast amount 
of suffering and perhaps a famine in New I^^ngland. There had 
been no such time of apprehension in Salisbury since its settle- 
ment. Hay, in the month of April, 1817, was $40 a ton ; corn 
or rye, $2 a bushel; oats, $1 ; wheat, $3; cheese, I2>^ cents a 
pound, butter 25 cents, and pork 18 cents a pound, and there 
was literally no money to purchase with, and he who had shared 
with him who had not. There were no western wheat fields, 
and elevators filled with corn and other grain, and if there had 
been an abundance in other parts of the country, there were 
then no railroads to bring the grain to our doors in Salisbury. 
This, too, happened the ne.\t year after the war with Great Brit- 
ain ended, when the whole country was suffering from "war's 
desolation." Oats could not then be utilized as food for man, 
while at the present time they are made to yield a most nutri- 
tious and healthy article of diet. 



05 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

On a blank leaf of school records, in District No. i, is the 
following entry: "1817, May 31, cold & froze half an inch 
thick of ice." 

PRESIDENT Monroe's visit. 

( 1817.) This year, President Monroe made his tour through 
New England, and on July i8th visited Concord — the first 
President who had honored the capital of the State with his 
personal presence. He was received by the citizens with every 
mark of respect due to his exalted personal character, and his 
position as the unanimously chosen head of the nation. This 
was termed "the era of good feeling" in American politics. In 
his journey through New England he was received with the 
most genial hospitality, and every evidence of high personal 
regard was shown him. He was addressed at Concord by Hon. 
Thomas W. Thompson, an ex-Senator of the United States, 
a former resident of Salisbury, and made a feeling response. 

A sumptuous dinner was given in his honor at Barker's tav- 
-ern ; on the 18th, in the evening, he attended a musical concert ; 
on the 19th, he received calls during the day, and in the 
evening attended a private party at Col. Wm. A. Kent's. On 
the 20th, he attended public worship at "The Old North 
Church," and on Monday, the 21st, left Concord for the north, 
stopping at Salisbury South Road, at the residence of Mr. 
Andrew Bowers, whose guest he remained for one day. He 
desired to stop in the town which was honored as the birth 
place of Daniel Webster and Ichabod Bartlett, two members of 
Congress, (who were then already known to fame,) and as the 
former home of Senator Thomas W. Thompson. 

The residence of Andrew Bowers was at the corner of South 
and Mutton roads, and is still standing. At the only hotel in 
the place, numbers of citizens had collected anxious to see the 
President of the United States, but no preparations had been 
made for a reception, as his visit \yas unexpected until the Sun- 
day before his arrival. Samuel Greeley proposed to the assem- 
blage that a committee be appointed to wait upon His Excel- 
lency, at the residence of 'Squire Bowers, and ask him to take 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 89 

the 'Squire's arm and walk down past the residence of Thomas 
R. Little to the academy ; cross over to the home of Moses 
Clement on the north side of the. road, and walk up i)ast the 
meeting house to the tavern, where the citizens could pay their 
respects to him. Mr. Greeley was appointed chairman of that 
committee, and immediately, with his associates, waited upon 
the President at the residence of 'Squire Bowers. The follow- 
ing is the speech of the chairman to the President of the 
United States : 

"President Monroe: Your \isit to our rural town is so 
unexpected that we have had no time to give you such a recep- 
tion as we would like to honor you with, and / Jiope yoii will 
take the will for the deed. Quite a large number of your fellow- 
citizens have assembled at the tavern opposite, who are desirous 
of meeting you and grasping your hand, and the good women of 
our little village zvould like to get a glimpse of you. We have 
been chosen a committee by the citizens to wait upon you, and 
propose to you that, at four o'clock, you take the arm of our 
friend, 'Squire Bowers, and walk down on the south side of the 
common to the academy, and pass up on the other side by the 
meeting house to the tavern, in view of the people of our village. 
On the lawn in front of the tavern our citizens will be happy 
to greet you. If this arrangement will be agreeable to you it 
will be gratifying to us. If you prefer any other way than this, 
take your 02i>ii course, I ask ye T' 

The President replied that such a course would be exceed- 
ingly agreeable to him, and it would afford him much pleasure 
to meet the good men, and get more than a glimpse of ''the 
good xvometiy the mothers and daughters, of the good town of 
Salisbury. 

At four o'clock, the President and 'Squire Bowers, arm-in- 
arm, walked down past the residence of Thomas R. Little to 
the academy, crossed over to the residence of Moses Clement, 
and walked up by the "meeting house" to the "tavern;" and 
there, on the green, grass-covered lawn of the common, the 
chief magistrate of the nation was greeted as warmly and as 



go HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

heartily as in any place in the broad land. There was no pomp 
or parade, no military display, no banners flying, and no 

" Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds," 

but a plain, genial, respectful, hearty greeting, which warmed 
the heart and cheered the spirit of the good President. 

For some years the town maintained its ordinary activity, 
with no events requiring especial notice. 

LAND SLIDE. 

(1819.) In the spring of this year, a mass of earth and 
stones, of several tons' weight, became detached from the south- 
ern declivity of Kearsarge mountain, and was precipitated with 
great violence into the valley below, sweeping a path of forty 
rods in width. 

OPPOSITION TO A NEW ROAD. 

(1824.) Februarv i, the following article was voted upon: 
"To see what method the Town will adopt respecting a contem- 
plated Highway through the westerly part of said town of Salis- 
bury, said highway having been petitioned for to the County 
Court of Sessions by J. Stark, S. Currier, Roger E. Perkins, 
and one hundred and fourteen others." 

"Voted to leave it to the discretion of the Selectmen to ap- 
point an agent to attend the Court of Sessions to try to procure 
a postponement of the petition mentioned." 

December 16, "Voted to remonstrate against the road men- 
tioned in the second article of this warrant." 

"Voted the Selectmen be a committee to confer with the 
Selectmen of Andover, Boscawen and Hopkinton, and use their 
discretion in opposing said road." 

NEW COUNTY PROPOSED. 

At the annual March meeting the voters of Salisbury were 
called upon to vote on the incorporation or formation of a new 
county, from a part of Hillsborough and Rockingham, to be 
called Merrimack. The number of votes in favor of the new 
county was 240; against it, 19. 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 9I 



THE GREAT FRESHET, ETC. 



This year occurred the "Great Freshet," on the nth and 
1 2th of February. It rained all of two nights and part of one 
day, and carried away all the snow. The ground was frozen 
and the water ran into the streams, which rose rapidly, and 
carried away two stone piers and part of the body of Concord 
lower bridge, one wooden pier and about two-thirds of Concord 
upper bridge, all of Canterbury bridge at Boscawen Plain, the 
new Republican bridge between Salisbury and Sanbornton, 
Smith's bridge at New Hampton, four bridges on the Contoo- 
cook river in Henniker, three in Warner, and four in Weare. 
Immense quantities of timber which had been prepared and 
carried to the bank of the Merrimack were swept away by the 
flood, and it was equally destructive in other parts of the State. 
Timber at this time was drawn in winter upon the banks of the 
rivers, and in the spring fastened together in immense "rafts," 
or "shots," and when the water was at a certain height or 
"pitch," these rafts — "shots," — were run by skilled men over 
Eastman's, or Pemigewasset Great Falls, (at PVanklin,) in the 
Pemigewasset River, and Sewall's Falls, in Concord, on the 
Merrimack. There were but few men who had prudence, skill, 
strength and courage to run a raft of logs over Eastman's or 
Pemigewasset Great P'alls, in the river on the eastern boundary 
of the original town of Salisbury. Previous to 1846, sawmills 
were erected at Lowell for the manufacture of lumber, and im- 
mense quantities of timber were cut by Fisk & Norcross, on 
the Pemigewasset and branches, and drawn upon the ice in the 
winter, and in the spring were let loose and "driven" by large 
numbers of river-men over the rocks, sand-bars and falls to the 
city of Lowell. At the completion of the Concord Railroad, 
the Middlesex Canal and the locks on the Merrimack below 
Concord were of no more use, and rafting became at once 
a glory of the past. Very soon the "driving of logs" must 
cease, and the Merrimack will be no h^iger a highway for the 
lumbermen. Its waters will be entirely monopolized by the 
manufacturing capitalist, and its reservoirs will hold the power, 
greater than is possessed by any river in the world. The lakes, 



92 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

the ponds, the brooks and the little rills that swell the current 
of the Merrimack, furnish treasures of greater value than the 
mountains and gulches of California and Nevada, or the coal 
mines of Maryland and Pennsylvania. 

NEW TOWN. 

In the House of Representatives, December 8th, Mr. Bing- 
ham, chairman of the Committee on Towns and Parishes, 
reported that the petition of Ebenezer Eastman and others for 
a new town, including a part of Salisbury, be postponed to the 
first Tuesday of the next session. The report was accepted 
and action postponed. 

THE NEW TOWN AGAIN. 

(1825.) At the March meeting it was "Voted to choose an 
agent to oppose the petition of Ebenezer Eastman and others 
for a new town." 

"Voted that we shall employ council if thought necessary." 

Chose Moses Eastman, Esqr., Agent. 

"Voted the agent shall draw up a remonstrance and put it 
into the hands of the Selectmen to obtain signers." 

At the June session, the remonstrance against the petition 
for a new town was referred to the Committee on Towns and 
Parishes. 

Mr. Healey, as chairman of that committee, reported the fol- 
lowing resolution, which was adopted : 

That the petition of Ebenezer Eastman and others, praying 
for the incorporation of a new town, to be taken from the 
easterly part of Salisbury and Andover, south-westerly part of 
Sanbornton and westerly part of Northfield, be referred to a 
select committee of three, to be appointed by the Speaker of the 
House of Representatives ; and that said committee be author- 
ized to take into consideration the prayer of said petition, and 
at the petitioners' request, they view all the ground for which 
the contemplated new town is to be taken, hear all the parties 
interested, and give due notice to the Selectmen of the hearing, 
and report at the next session of the Legislature. 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 93 

June 17, the Speaker appointed Caleb Keith, WilHani Phim- 
mer and Abel Merrill. 

GENERAL LAFAYETTE. 

During the summer of 1824, upon the invitation of Pre.sident 
Monroe, General Lafayette re-visited the United States. Be- 
tween the time of his leaving this country and his invitation to 
become the guest of the nation, forty years had elapsed. To 
the survivors of the Revolution it was the return of a long-loved 
and long-absent brother, and to the later born generation it was 
"the second advent" of him who had come to save us when we 
feared we were lost. He was to us the instrumentality which 
was all powerful in giving us "a name and a country." In. the 
dark days of our struggle for existence he came to our assist- 
ance, lavished his fortune, and spilt his blood for our indepen- 
dence. In his character as a friend he seemed to combine all 
the titles to love, admiration, gratitude and enthusiasm, which 
could operate upon the heart and imagination of the young and 
ardent. Modest, generous, good and brave, he had little idea 
of the glow of expectation that was awaiting his arrival upon 
our shores, or of the enthusiastic reception with which he was 
to be greeted. As he approached New York harbor he inquired 
of an acquaintance if he could find a hack to carry him to some 
hotel! The roaring cannon, as they thundered forth his wel- 
come, soon told him that his approach to our shores had been her- 
alded and that the arms of the nation were open to receive him. 
As he passed from city to city and from State to State — doubled 
in number since his departure — he received a constant series 
of ovations. He was made the guest of all the States and of 
the principal towns and cities, and as he passed on his journey 
from one end of the Union to the other, the whole population 
came out to meet and to welcome him. 

On the 22d of June, General Lafayette honored Concord with 
his presence, and was received by the Legislature, then in ses- 
sion, and by an immense concourse of citizens from all parts of 
the State. Great preparations were made for his reception, 
and Concord has never seen another such occasion of universal 



94 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

enthusiasm. Six hundred citizens, inchiding the Governor and 
his council, the members of the Legislature, and more than two 
hundred revolutionary officers and soldiers, sat down to a public 
dinner in the state house yard, with General Lafayette. Two 
hundred and ten revolutionary soldiers, several from Salisbury, 
were introduced to Lafayette by General Pierce, the father of 
President Pierce. Toasts were drank, and original songs com- 
posed for the occasion were sung. A great many people from 
Salisbury, of all ages and of both sexes, were present to testify 
their affection and gratitude to the nation's defender. He was 
met at the town line between Concord and Pembroke, and was 
addressed by Hon. William A. Kent, chairman of the committee 
of arrangements. He was then handed into a carriage, to which 
were harnessed eight beautiful white horses — six of them from 
Salisbury — driven by the accomplished and skillful reinsman, 
Lyman Hawley, of the firm of Hawley & Gilman, who kept the 
tavern at the South Road. He was driven by Mr. Hawley, with 
this splendidly caparisoned team, through the entire length of 
Main street and returned to the gate of the state house yard, 
where he was received by the Governor and the Legislature, 
amid the enthusiastic and prolonged cheering of an immense 
concourse of people. He returned to Concord on the 27th of 
June, on his way to Windsor, Vermont, when he took his final 
leave of Concord and of the State. 

CELEBRATION. 

Fourth of July this year came on Sunday. On the fifth the 
people of Salisbury celebrated the day at the South Road. An 
address was delivered in the meeting house, by George W. 
Nesmith, and a public dinner was partaken of at the "Stage 
Hotel," with toasts and post-prandial speeches. 

THE NEW TOWN AND ROAD MATTERS. 

(1826.) At the March meeting, "Voted that the Selectmen 
be instructed to take all necessary measures to oppose the 
acceptance of the Report of the Committee on Said road, (viz., 
the road from Andover to Hopkinton,) and shall remonstrate 
against it," 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 95 

"Voted that it be left to the drscretion of the Selectmen to 
employ such council as they shall think necessary to oppose the 
new town (Franklin) at the publick hearing at the next session 
of the General Court." 

June i6, the Committee of the House of Representatives, 
appointed at the previous session, consisting of Messrs. Keith, 
Plummer and Merrill, reported the following resolution, which 
was adopted, yeas 122, nays 86: 

Resolved, That the whole subject in regard to the new town 
of Franklin be indefinitely postponed. 

THE AUGUST FRESHET. 

On the 28th of August of this year the most terrific and 
destructive rain storm visited New Hampshire that had been 
known since the settlement of the State. The windows of heaven 
were literally opened, "the rain descended and the floods came," 
and the torrents came tumbling from the hills. Roads were ^ 

completely destroyed, bridges were swept away, and "the hills 
'themselves descended into the valleys." 

During the night of the 28th, a whole family in the Crawford 
Notch of the White Mountains were buried beneath a land-slide. 
A violent tempest raged about the Notch during the night, and 
a vast amount of rocks and soil on the W'illey mountain was 
precipitated into the valley below, burying Mr. Willey, his wife, 
five children, and two hired men. Mr. Willey feared a slide 
and started, as is supposed, with his family for a place of safety, 
but all were overtaken soon after leaving the house. A large 
stone in the rear of the dwelling saved that from destruction, 
and had they remained there they would have been safe. Many 
of the road-beds in Salisbury were completely destroyed and 
most of the bridges were carried away. 

GRASSHOPPER YEAR. 

The summer was very hot and dry, and with the drowth 
came a vast army of grasshoppers, which destroyed nearly 
every green thing. This year was referred to for a long time 
after as "the time of the great drowth," "the year of the great 
freshet," and "the grasshopper year." 



9^ HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

REPAIR OF HIGHWAYS. 

October 20, "Voted to raise $i,ooo to defray the expense of 
. repairing the highways and bridges that were destroyed by the 
late freshets." "Voted to raise $300 for the repairs of high- 
ways." 

These extraordinary sums were raised independently of the 
annual appropriations to rebuild the bridges and repair the 
highways injured and destroyed by the storm. 

DEATH OF TWO EX-PRESIDENTS. 

On the 4th of July of this year, just half a century from the 
birth of American independence, John Adams and Thomas 
Jefferson, two of its "bold and fearless advocates," who had 
long been the "aged and venerable objects of a nation's admir- 
ation and regard, terminated their illustrious liv^es and finished 
their career of earthly renown." Daniel Webster won an im- 
mortality of fame from his oration upon the lives and services of 
these distinguished authors of the Declaration of Independence. 

PRODUCTIVE SEASON. 

(1827.) This year was marked as one of abundant fruitful- 
ness, when the earth gave forth her increase and made glad the 
heart of the husbandman. 

THE PARSONAGE FUND. 

At the March meeting it was "Voted to divide the parsonage 
interest money among the several religious societies in said 
town, according to their polls and ratable estate, to be ascer- 
tained by the Selectmen taking the minds of the inhabitants." 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 

(1828.) March 12, agreeably to an Act of the Legislature, 
passed July 6, 1827, the voters of the town elected the following 
school committee, one in each school district, for one year: 

South Road District, No. i John White. 

South Road District, No. 2 Isaac Sawyer. 

South Road District, No. 3 John Couch, Jr. 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 97 

Center Road District, No. i Thomas 1 1. Pettengill. 

Center Road District, No. 2 Thomas Chase. 

Blackwater Mills, Stephen I'ingree. 

Blackwater Center District David I'ettengill, 2d. 

Blackwater Center Road District, David Stevens. 

River Road, ( now Franklin,) Isaac Hale. 

Village District, ( now Franklin,) John Cavender. 

North Road District, No. i Samuel Ouimby. 

North Road District, No. 2 Joshua Fifield. 

Westerly District, ( Kearsarge dore,) Daniel Watson. 

Raccoon Hill District, dreenleaf Cilley. 

.\CTION ON THE NEW TOWN. 

November 3, "Voted that the Representatives be Instructed 
to oppose the petition of Dea. Sanborn, Caleb Merrill and others 
for a new town." (Franklin.) 

"Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to take the sense 
of the Town by going to each individual and get his opinion for 
or against the aforesaid petition, and that the Selectmen notify 
Caleb Merrill, Esq., of the time they appoint to take the opinion 
of the individuals aforesaid." 

The Act incorporating Franklin, passed at the fall session, 
on the 1 2th of December, 1828. The line between Salisbury 
and Franklin is as follows : 

Beginning on the Merrimack River, where the line between Salisbury and 
Boscawen commences, thence South about 70 Degrees west, following the line 
between said Towns to the .Southwest corner of lot No. 10 in the tirst range of lots 
in Salisbury, thence North si.x degrees East following the westerly line of said lot 
to a stone monument at the Northwest corner of said lot, thence North four rods 
across the first range way in Salisbury, thence South about 73 Degrees west to a 
stone marked C. B. at the Southwest corner of Lot No. 1 1 in the second range of 
lots in Salisbury, thence North si.x Degrees West on the Westerly line of said lot 
to the Northwest corner of said lot on the South side of the Centre Road so called, 
thence South about 73" West 63^ rods, thence North four rods across the road, 
thence South about 73 Deg. West 63^ rods to a stone marked C. B. at the South- 
west corner of lot No. 61 in the third range of lots in Salisbury, thence North 14 
Deg. East on the Westerly line of said lot, 474 rods to a stone marked C. B. at the 
South side of the road, thence North about 73 Deg. East following the course of 
the Range way to the Southwest corner of lot No. 52 in the 4th range of lots in said 
Salisbury, thence North following the Westerly line of said lot to a Stake and 
Stone on the line between Salisbury and Andover. 

Parker Noyes, John Simonds, Dearborn Sanborn and Edward Leighton or any 
three were appointed to call first meeting. Aproved Dec. 24, 1S2S. 

7 



98 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

(1829.) March 16, "Voted that the literary fund be added 
to the school fund, and the interest of said fund and that only 
be used for the benefit of the District Schools until the town 
shall otherwise direct." 

DEATH OF EZEKIEL WEBSTER. 

On Friday afternoon, April loth, 1829, at about half-past 
three o'clock, Ezekiel Webster, at the age of forty-nine,, in the 
fullness of apparent health, at the zenith of his intellectual 
power and the height of his usefulness, when his prospects for 
fame seemed to be ripening, while addressing a jury in the 
court house at Concord, receiv^ed his silent summons and passed 
in an instant from the court of earth to the court of heaven. 
While standing before the jury, with the judges, lawyers, and a 
large audience all listening intently to his words, with his form 
erect and his arms hanging gracefully by his side, he closed a 
branch of his argument and instantly closed his eyes in death. 
The eloquent, "silver-tongued" George Sullivan was to follow 
him upon the other side of the case, and great interest was felt 
in the arguments by the friends of both. 

Neither tongue nor pen can describe the consternation of the 
court, the jurors, and the crowded audience, whose eyes were 
riveted upon the speaker, at the moment when the messenger 
of death so suddenly summoned him away. 

In the opinion of many, Ezekiel Webster was, next to his 
brother Daniel, the most eminent man that Salisbury has pro- 
duced. Perhaps fame will divide its honors between him and 
Ichabod Bartlett. 

His funeral took place on Sunday, at the meeting house on 
Boscawen Plain, and a large concourse of people, including 
many from his native town, were present to testify their respect 
for the head of the Merrimack bar. 

Saturday morning, Hon. Charles H. Atherton announced to 
the court the deep feeling which pervaded the bar by this mel- 
ancholy bereavement, and suitable resolutions were adopted. 
George Sullivan, in addressing the court and bar, exclaimed, 
"In the midst of life we are in death ;" "What shadows we are 
and what shadows we pursue!" 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 99 

The New Hampshire Journal, in referring to his death, said : 
"Mr. Webster was one of the ablest lawyers in the State — a 
distinguished legislator — and left a rich inheritance in fame for 
his orphan children. He stood at the head of the Merrimack 
bar, by every member of which he was honored and esteemed, 
for his courtesy, talents and integrity. The void created by his 
premature death will not soon be filled." 

RETRENCHMENT AND REFORM. 

(1831.) March 8, Capt. Benjamin Pettengill introduced the 
following resolution: "Resolved, That the Representative of 
the Town of Salisbury in the Gen'l Court be instructed to use 
his utmost efforts to reduce the Salary of the Governor, Secre- 
tary of State, State treasurer, adjutant General and the pay of 
the Legislature." 

"Voted that an attested copy of these resolutions and vote 
of the Town be sent by the Town Clerk to each of the printing 
presses in Concord, for insertion in the several newspapers." 

SNOWING STARS. 

( 1833.) On the 13th day of November of this year occurred 
the most remarkable phenomenon ever witnes.sed by the inhab- 
itants of Salisbury. It was said that "it snowed stars." In 
the morning, long before daylight began to dawn, meteors 
began to fall thick and fast, like snow-fiakes. There was no 
wind, and the night was clear and cool; no moon was shining, 
and the air was thick with the falling meteors. The shower 
lasted for a considerable time, and was seen by every one who 
happened to be awake and out of doors at the time. It caused 
great commotion and, in many cases, among the timid and 
superstitious, no little alarm. Edwin Booth, in writing an auto- 
biographical sketch many years ago, spoke of this meteoric 
shower as happening in Baltimore, Maryland. The phenomenon 
has since had several satisfactory e.xplanations. 

Prof. John Brocklesby, of Trinity College, Hartford, remarks 
that the wonderful display of meteors, in 1833, drew the atten- 
tion of philosophers to the subject of shooting stars, and from 



lOO HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

the results of subsequent researches and observations, there is 
now reason to believe that certain epochs exist when these 
luminous bodies appear in greater numbers than usual, and that 
sometimes, at the return of these periods, they literally descend 
to the earth in showers. He describes the meteoric shower of 
the 13th of November, 1833, as "by far the most magnificent 
display of the kind that has ever occurred. It extended from 
the northern lakes to the south of Jamaica, and from 61° west 
longitude, in the Atlantic, to about 150° west longitude, on the 
Pacific. For the space of seven hours, from 9 P. M. to 4 A. M., 
the heavens blazed with an incessant discharge of fiery meteors 
from the cloudless sky. At times they appeared as thick as 
snow-flakes falling through air, and as brilliant as the stars 
themselves." 

PRESIDENT Jackson's visit. 

On the 28th of June of this year, Andrew Jackson, President 
of the United States, honored New Hampshire with a visit. 
He was the third President who had favored the State with his 
presence. The Legislature was in session, and his only stop was 
at Concord, from whence he returned after his visit direct to 
Washington. This interesting occasion called forth an immense 
concourse of people, to do honor to the chief magistrate of the 
nation, the "hero of New Orleans." Large numbers from Salis- 
bury went to Concord to pay their respects to the most popular 
man who had occupied the presidential chair since Washington. 
He was received at Bow line by eight brilliantly uniformed 
independent military companies, and left his barouche and 
mounted an elegant snow-white horse. Though sixty-six years 
of age, no person ever saw a more exhilarating and inspiring 
sight than the gallant old hero of three wars, as he rode through 
the streets of Concord on his beautiful snow-white charger, 
bowing gracefully right and left in response to the continual 
shouts and the deafening "hurrahs" of more than ten thousand 
people. 

the " COLD WEDNESDAY." 

( 1835.) On the i6th day of December of this year occurred 
what has been known as the cold Wednesday. The wind was 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 10 I 

high and boisterous, and the average state of the thermometer, 
from 7^ o'clock in the morning till sunset, was 1 1° below zero. 
It was 6° below zero at noon. It was the coldest day for more 
than forty years, or since the notable "cold Friday." On the 
same day occurred a most destructive fire in New York city. 
The hose attached to the fire-engines froze up, and the fire was 
eventually stopped by blowing up buildings. This was the 
most destructive fire that ever occurred in that city. The 
intense cold prevailed throughout the United States and the 
Canadas. 

A COLD SEASON. 

( 1836.) The winter was remarkably cold, and on the 26th of 
April of this year, Rice Corser went "on runners" from Corser 
Hill, in Boscawen, to Concord, and found it good sleighing. 
Fast day there were snow-drifts ten feet deep, on Corser Hill 
and vicinity, and many places in Salisbury. 

ANOTHER FRESHET. 

During this winter occurred another great rain, which carried 
off a large body of snow and broke up the rivers, causing great 
destruction of bridges. The Canterbury bridge, Boscawen 
bridge, and four bridges in Concord were swept away. 

THE FINANCIAL CRASH. 

(1837.) Several of the preceding years had been cold, and 
the crops had been short ; little corn or wheat was raised. The 
people of Salisbury began to feel the pinch of short crops. In 
this year came the great financial crash ; it was "black Friday" 
throughout the whole of the year, and the blackness did not 
end with the year. There was little money, except "wild-cat 
money," but a plenty of that. Banks suspended and issued frac- 
tional bills, to take the place of specie to make change, and few 
persons dared to take "a bank bill," for fear the bank which 
issued it had failed the day before or would fail the next day. 
The countrv stood still, or worse, "advanced backward." The 



I02 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

causes of this financial distress were many. The great com- 
plaint was that the United States government had failed in its 
duty to provide a currency — a circulating medium — for the 
country. Volumes could be written upon the subject. Previ- 
ous to 1837, surplus money from duties on imports had accum- 
ulated in the United States treasury, and had been distributed 
among the several States ; and this, among other things, caused 
the duties on imported goods to be reduced; so that, in 1840, 
manufactures were languishing or at a stand-still, all public 
improvements had been abandoned, and the United States 
treasury was empty. The country has hardly ever seen such a 
period of financial gloom as culminated in 1837. The hard 
times continued, and food became scarce as well as money. 
Rye was imported from Italy and Russia and brought to Salis- 
bury and sold in considerable quantities at the store of Samuel 
Greenleaf & Co., at the South Road. There were times during 
the cold seasons, from 1836 to 1839, when corn was worth $2.50 
a bushel, and many farmers raised only the small, Canada corn. 
About this time India wheat, somewhat resembling buckwheat, 
was extensively raised, as food for hogs and poultry. It was 
also used to make bread, which when eaten hot was light and 
palatable. As a food for man it soon went out of use, as it was 
evidently not a kind of bread upon which man could live alone. 
( 1839.) In the month of February occurred another destruc- 
tive freshet, which carried off many bridges. The rivers were 
broken up, and immense bodies of ice jammed up against the 
bridges, forcing them from their foundations. The ground was 
frozen very deep, and the snow was all melted. In this freshet 
Republican bridge was again swept away. 

SURPLUS REVENUE. 

March 14, "Voted that the proportion of the surplus revenue 
now in the hands of the State Treasurer at Concord, belonging 
to the Town of Salisbury, remain in the treasury to be put at 
interest for the benefit of the Town. Chose Nathaniel Bean as 
agent for the town to receive the interest on said money as it 
becomes due said Town." 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. IO3 

There is no record in the Treasurer's office at Concord, to 
show when this surplus money was paid to the town, or that 
it had ever been paid. The State Treasurer of that time, it is 
said, claimed that he was a special trustee to hold this fund for 
the benefit of the town, and hence no account of it is kept in the 
Treasurer's books. The interest this year amounted to $i 17.50. 
In 1840 it was voted, "That the Selectmen be agents to apply 
for and receive the surplus money," and on the treasurer's book 
we find they received the principal, amounting to $3357.57, and 
interest on the same amounting to $193.27. Although there is 
no town record to show what became of it, we are assured that 
it was used towards building the town house and for other town 
expenses. 



HARD CIDER CAMPAIGN. 

( 1840.) This year was the most noted of any since the foun- 
dation of the government, for the exciting political canvass for 
President and Vice President, between the Democratic and 
Whig parties, the Liberty party not having then been formed. 
It was a square contest. Martin Van Buren, then in office, was 
re-nominated by the Democrats, and General William Henry 
Harrison, "a war-worn soldier," was nominated by the Whigs. 
The Whigs charged the Democrats with being responsible for 
the commercial distress and the financial gloom which pervaded 
the country. They raised the cry of reform. The Democrats 
had been enjoying a long lease of power. Some indiscreet 
editor of some one of the many democratic newspajiers in the 
country said that General Harrison was born in a "log-cabin." 
Some one ridiculed him as having been cradled by his mother 
in a sap-trough. Some even alleged that he was rocked in a 
hog-trough, and dressed in coon-skins, and was brought up on 
hard cider. These unwise and senseless allegations called forth 
no rebuke from the Democratic papers; and the Whigs, seeing 
their advantage, caught at them at once, and he was paraded in 
the papers, in pictures, in handbills, and everywhere, as the 



I04 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

"log-cabin," "hard cider," "coon-skin" candidate for President. 
What was intended as a reproach was immediately seized upon 
as merit. "Let him," said Mr. Webster, "be the log-cabin 
candidate. What you say in scorn we will shout with all our 
lungs, and we will see whether he who has dwelt in one of the 
rude abodes of the West may not become the best house in the 
country." The Whigs accepted the name of "coons," and 
gloried in it, while they called the Democrats "locofocos." 

In April, 1834, John Mack, of Park Row, New York city, 
obtained a patent for a self-lighting cigar, on one end of which 
was a composition that would ignite by rubbing. These were 
called " Locofoco cigars." 

In 1835 a division occurred in the New York Democracy. 
At a meeting held at Tammany Hall a brawl and tumult was 
raised. One party turned off the gas-lights, but some of the 
other wing, having some "locofoco matches," immediately re- 
lighted the hall. The Courier and Enquirer newspaper, in a 
notice of the meeting, called that wing of the party "Loco- 
focos," and the country accepted the name. The Whigs there- 
upon called their opponents by that term, while the Whigs were 
nicknamed Coons. 

The Democrats had been a long time in power, and for three 
years all public enterprise had been languishing. They could 
charge nothing, but could only labor to throw off the responsi- 
bility of the financial ruin that had overtaken a majority of the 
business men of the country. So the Coons charged continu- 
ally, and it was said "took nothing back." The Locofocos had 
to stand on the defensive. On the 4th of July, in 1840, in a 
town not far distant from Salisbury, a gentleman stated before 
a public audience that it could be proved that Isaac Hill, while 
Governor, stole four pairs of cartwheels from the State of New 
Hampshire and took them to Portsmouth and sold them ; and 
he asked with an air of triumph, "If he didn't steal the wheels, 
where are they ? Let him produce them !" 

In this campaign three eminent speakers, natives of Salis- 
bury, took a very active part, and their influence in the campaign 
was very marked. They were Daniel Webster, Ichabod Bart- 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. IO5 

lett, and Joel Eastman. Daniel Webster was at the zenith of 
his greatness and power. No man probably ever had manner, 
form and features, eyes, voice and action — all the attributes of 
a stump speaker — as Webster, in the "Hard Cider" campaign 
of 1840. Ichabod Bartlett was several years younger, and a 
brilliant speaker, while Joel Eastman had a commanding figure 
and a voice that could be heard at almost any distance, and yet 
it was like music. 

At a hard cider, log-cabin, coon-skin, bear-trap, Tippecanoe 
and Tyler too \\ hig mass-meeting, in Salisbury, October 26, 
two of these distinguished men were present, Bartlett and East- 
man, and made addresses. Upon the election of Harrison, 
Daniel Webster was made Secretary of State, Joel Eastman 
United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire, 
and Israel W. Kelley, the brother-in-law of Mr. Webster, United 
States Marshal — three important offices for one little rural 
town in the Granite State. 

MR. WEP.STER AT SARATOGA. 

On the 19th of August, 1840, Mr. Webster was at Saratoga, 
to attend a session of the Court of Appeals. He was invited 
to address the people on the issues of the campaign. It is well 
authenticated that this famous speech, in the beginning of the 
campaign, he intended to deliver at a mass-meeting to be held 
at Salisbury early in the summer. The meeting did not come 
off in the early jjart of the season, so it was delivered at Sara- 
toga. It was, no doubt, his best effort on the stump. It was 
in this speech that he spoke with such tenderness and regard 
of his father, his brothers and sisters, and his rude home in 
Salisbury. It does great credit to his head and to his heart, 
and it is most appropriate that it should find a place here : 

"Gentlemen: It did not happen to me to be born in a log- 
cabin, but my elder brothers and sisters were born in a log-cabin, 
raised amidst the snow-drifts of New Hampshire, at a period so 
early that when the smoke first rose from the rude chimney 
and curled over the frozen hills, there was no similar evidence 



I06 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

of a white man's habitation between it and the settlements on 
the rivers of Canada. Its remains still exist ; I make to it an 
annual visit ; I carry my children to it, to teach them the hard- 
ships endured by the generations which have gone before them. 
I love to dwell on the tender recollections, the kindred ties, the 
early affections, and the touching narratives and incidents which 
mingle with all I know of this primitive family abode. I weep 
to think that none of those who inhabited it are now among the 
living, and if ever I am ashamed of it, or if I ever fail in affec- 
tionate veneration for him who reared it and defended it against 
savage violence and destruction, cherished all the domestic vir- 
tues under its roof, and, through the fire and blood of a seven 
years' revolutionary war, shrunk from no danger, no toil, no 
sacrifice, to serve his country, and to raise his children to con- 
ditions better than his own, may my name and the name of my 
posterity be blotted from the memory of mankind." 

JUNE SNOW. 

(1841.) On Saturday, June nth, more or less snow fell 
throughout the State. 

END OF THE WORLD. 

(1S43.) Great excitement existed in regard to the final des- 
truction of the world, in accordance with the prediction of one 
Miller, who had followers in Salisbury and throughout the coun- 
try. So confident were some people of the fulfilment of certain 
prophecies, as explained by the preachers of this doctrine, that 
their property was sold at merely nominal prices, their shops 
were closed, and their farm crops remained unharvested. The 
appearance of a remarkable comet about this time, while it was 
hailed by the believers as a supernatural "sign," contributed to 
increase the excitement and consternation of the ignorant and 
superstitious. 

A COUNTY FARM. 

(1847.) May 7th, the town voted on the question, "Is it 
expedient to purchase a farm for the support of the poor of said 
County.?" Yeas, 52; nays, 54. Subsequently the countyde- 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. IO7 

cided the question in the affirmative, and the result of their 
action was the establishment of a county house and farm, in the 
north part of the town of Boscawen, about 1864. 

GREAT HAIL STORM. 

(185 1.) Wednesday, August 13th, occurred a notable hail- 
storm. This was preceded on the 9th, (Saturday) between the 
hours of three and four o'clock in the afternoon, by a terrific 
shower. During some minutes darkness prevailed to such an 
extent that print could not be read. This was followed by a 
perfectly clear and cool day, but on Monday the sky became 
overcast and towards evening the weather was as sultry as on 
the preceding Saturday. On Tuesday evening another power- 
ful rain fell, likewise accompanied with much vivid lightning. 
Wednesday was hot and sultry before the storm, which rose to 
a tornado, with lightning and hail. As first seen by our citizens 
it appeared approaching from Ragged mountain. The first 
damage in town was at the O. B. Stevens house. Centre Road 
Village escaped serious damage. Continuing over the hill, it 
struck William H. Moulton's house and barn, breaking all the 
glass, taking out the sash and shattering clapboards. The house 
of Frank B. Calef was struck by the full force of the storm, 
most of the glass shattered, and clapboards and shingles torn 
from their fastenings. Some of the hail-stones weighed two 
ounces, many measured five inches in circumference and at least 
one seven inches. The indentations made by them are to be 
seen at the present day. The course of the tornado through 
Salisbury was very irregular and at no point over a mile in width. 
All crops in its track were destroyed. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS. 

(1852.) March 13th, on the proposed amendments to the 
Constitution, submitted to the town, the vote was in the affirm- 
ative, 189 to 44. 

TEMPERANCE MOVEMENTS. 

(1852.) For several years there had been an increasing 
interest in the temperance cause, and the question of passing a 



I08 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

prohibitory law, similar to one already in operation in the State 
of Maine, was widely discussed. Towns instructed their repre- 
sentatives in the Legislature in regard to their action on this 
question. Salisbury was a temperance town, and was willing 
to give a positive expression of her position. At the annual 
meeting this year, John B. Smith introdued the accompanying 
resolution, which was accepted : 

Resolved, " That we disapprove of the use of alcoholic liquor as a beverage, and 

request our representative, in his capacity, to vote for a law to prevent the sale of 

'it in the State , and we hereby instruct our selectmen, in their capacity, to take all 

prudent, lawful measures to stop the sale of it in the town, except for medicinal 

and mechanical purposes." 

AN INACTIVE PERIOD. 

For several years the town moved on in a quiet way. There 
was but little enterprise manifested ; a few shops and mills were 
operated, for the manufacture of lumber or light implements. 
Schools were maintained, and churches were regularly opened 
on the Sabbath. The population gradually diminished, and 
real estate depreciated. 

THE REBELLION. 

(1862.) But when war was declared in 1861, many of the 
young men, anxious for a change in their condition, and inspired 
by a love of the Union, volunteered. By official action, the town 
encouraged her citizens to enlist, as will be seen in the chapter 
on the Civil War. August 2d, of this year, a town meeting 
was held, to take action regarding enlistments. Cyrus Gookin 
was chosen moderator. 

Voted, "To pay to soldiers who will volunteer to fill our quota 
of the first three hundred thousand men, called for by the Pres- 
ident of the United States, the sum of one hundred and fifty 
dollars, [each] to be paid when they are mustered into the 
service of the United States." 

Voted, "To pay all those who have enlisted since the war 
commenced, (except three months men,) who are now in the 
service of the United States, the sum of fifty dollars [each] 



MUNICIPAL HISTORY. IO9 

also the widows of said enlisted men who have been killed or 
died while in service of the United States." 

On the 20th of October of the same year it was "Voted to 
instruct the selectmen to borrow five thousand dollars, on the 
credit of the town, to pay volunteers that have enlisted to fill 
the quota called for by the President of the United States, and 
who may enlist hereafter for that purpose, and also to pay State 
aid to soldiers' families." 

The Legislature authorized towns to pay a given sum monthly 
to the families of soldiers who were in the service. 

( 1863.) On the first day of October, Voted, "That the sum 
of three hundred dollars be appropriated for each and every 
drafted or conscripted man from this town, who has been drafted, 
and has been, or shall be accepted as a conscript or soldier, or 
their substitutes, agreeably to the law in such case made and 
provided." 

Voted, "That the selectmen are hereby authorized and in- 
structed to hire on the credit of the town a sum of money suffi- 
cient to pay the sum of three hundred dollars to each and every 
man who has been drafted and accepted, or may be accepted, 
as a conscript from the town, or their substitutes, and give the 
town notes therefor." 

1S69. July 7th, by an Act of the Legislature, certain terri- 
tory was severed from the town of Franklin and anne.xed to the 
town of Salisbury, 

The civil history of the town for the years immediately ensu- 
ing is mostly embraced in the history of the Rebellion, as set 
forth in a subsequent chapter of these annals. 

(1872.) In 1871 the Legislature passed an Act, providing 
for the partial reimbursement of towns for money paid during 
the war to meet the demands of the army. Bonds were issued, 
and the amount assigned to Salisbury was $7,975. CK). These 
bonds the town sold and appropriated the funds towards paying 
the town debt. 

ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA. 

(1881.) September 6th was characterized as the "Yellow 
Day," and will be remembered as exhibiting some of the most 



no HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

beautiful phenomena ever witnessed. The day was warm, even 
sultry, and the rays of the sun were obstructed by a curtain of 
haze or smoke. The green of the grass and foliage of the trees 
and shrubbery was converted into blue, while the prevailing 
tint upon other objects was yellow. At times the cloud was so 
thick as to cause a deep gloom, making gas or other light nec- 
essary for the transaction of business. The gas-jets burned 
white; nothing appeared to the eye in its natural hues, and the 
effect was like a magical transformation by invisible artists be- 
hind the scenes, with the world for a stage. Travelers in Eng- 
land, it is said, have witnessed similar effects from the sun dimly 
shining through a "London fog." The cause is undoubtedly 
to be attributed to the presence of smoke, which by a peculiar 
condition of the atmosphere was held suspended like a screen 
between the earth and the sun. As extensive forest fires had 
been raging in Canada and in northern New York and Vermont 
no other explanation seems to be necessary. The phenomena 
extended beyond the limits of New England. 



CHAPTER IX. 



OUR CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 

" I-uild me straight, O, worthy master, 
Staunch and strong, a goodly vessel. 

That shall laugh at all disaster. 

And with wave and whirlwind wrestle." 



A STATE GOVERNMENT FORMED. 

That we may show the work which Salisbury performed in 
the organization of a State government, and in the original 
adoption and subsequent amendments of the Constitution, it 
becomes necessary to depart from the ordinary course of town 
histories, and give brief notes relative to the different conven- 
tions which were held to institute and perfect the Constitution 
of the State. 

Governor John Wentworth, in September, 1775, issued his 
last official, but unexpected order, dated at the Isles of Shoals, 
and immediately returned to Boston. 

On his departure the royal government was dissolved. There 
was no executive head, and the State of New Hampshire was 
practically "without form and void," so far as rules were con- 
cerned. The political necessities of the time brought order 
out of this chaos. 

On the 14th of November, 1775, in accordance with a recom- 
mendation of the Continental Congress, the Fourth Provincial 
Congress of New Hampshire adopted a plan of representation, 
upon which an election of delegates was held. [ Prov. Pap. 
Vol. 6, pp. 657-8-9.] In this plan Boscawen and Salisbury 
were entitled to one delegate, and the whole number constitu- 
ting the convention was 89. 



112 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

This body, when assembled, was "Impowered to resolve 
themselves into a House, and remain such for one year." 

These delegates when elected met at Exeter, "on the 2ist 
day of December, 1775, and continued a Congress until the 5th 
of January, 1776" ; (Fifth Provincial Congress,) "and then, by 
leave of the Continental Congress, resolved themselves into a 
House of Representatives or an Assembly for the Colony of 
New Hampshire." [State Pap. Vol. 8, p. i.] This body, after 
this, and while engaged in forming and adopting a new plan of 
government, was virtually the First Constitutional Convention 
of New Hampshire. It adopted the Report and Plan of the 
Committee, consisting of Matthew Thornton and others, with 
slight modification, and this became the first form of govern- 
ment of the Colony, by the people for the people. A copy of 
this Constitution is published in Page 2, Vol. 8, State Papers. 
A fac-simile of the original printed issue is contained in the 
nth Vol. of Town Papers, p. 739. 

On the 5th of January, 1775, the P'ifth Provincial Congress 
ceased to exist. 

Having adopted the above Plan of Government, and having 
elected a Committee, it immediately became the "Council and 
Assembly of the Colon}^ of New Hampshire." 

This form of government "was not made permanent, but to 
continue during the present unhappy and unnatural contest 
with Great Britain." 

Henry Gerrish, Esq., was delegate from Boscawen and Salis- 
bury in this assemblage. He was sent March 12, 1776, as a 
messenger to Orford, entrusted with letters to Colonels Morey 
and Bedel, and with other confidential matters. 

This Constitution is believed to be the first adopted by any 
Colony or State in the Union. It continued in force from 
January 5th, 1776, to the first Wednesday in June, 1784, a little 
more than eight years and five months. 

FIRST CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 

A Convention was called, to be held in Concord, June loth, 
1778, "For the sole purpose of forming or laying a permanent 
Plan of Government." 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. II3 

April 2 1 St, 1778, Salisbury chose Capt. Ebenezer Webster 
and Capt. Matthew Pettengill, delegates to attend this Conven- 
tion, and they met the delegates chosen by the other towns and 
parishes for the abovesaid purpose, in Concord, on the day 
designated, June loth, 1778. [State Pap. Vol. 8, pp. 757-8, 

774-5-] 

Rev. Mr. Bouton, in Vol. 9 of his Town Papers, p. 834, 

remarks : "It is much to be regretted that the journal of that 
Convention cannot be found. Search was made in vain by the 
late John Farmer, Esqr., and Mr. G. Parker Lyon, as also by 
the editor of this volume. Mr. Lyon was at great pains, how- 
ever, in collecting the names of the delegates to that Conven- 
tion from the town records throughout the State." 

On the same page (834) and the three following pages, is a 
list of the names of the delegates thus collected, which list is 
doubtless imperfect, as George Jackman is put down as the 
delegate from the classed towns of Boscawen and Salisbury, 
when the fact is there were two delegates from Salisbury, Capt. 
Ebenezer Webster and Capt. Matthew Pettengill, as the records 
of the town show. 

The adjourned meeting of this Convention was held in Con- 
cord, June 5th, 1779, at which time a Constitution was agreed 
upon, and copies sent to each town for ratification. [Town 
Pap. Vol. 9, p. 837 ; Coll. of N. H. Hist. Soc. Vol. 4, pp. 156, 
157 ; Town Pap. Vol. 11, p. 741.] 

This Constitution, which had been sent out to the people for 
ratification, was rejected, but the state of the vote upon it no 
one has been able to find. 

SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 

On the 25th of March, 1781, the House of Representatives 
voted to call another Convention, known as the " Second Con- 
stitutional Convention," and which was to meet at Concord, on 
the second Tuesday of June, 1781. Capt. Plbenezer Webster 
was chosen as delegate. 

The Constitution formed was submitted to the people and 
by them rejected. 
8 



114 HISTORY OF SALISBURY, 

In June, 1783, the same Convention met and agreed upon 
another form for a Constitution; Jonathan Cram, in 1782, hav- 
ing been chosen a delegate. This Constitution was submitted 
to the people, and the Convention adjourned to October 31st, 
1783, to await the decision of the people upon this the third 
Constitution. It was ratified and adopted. 

Upon the assembling of the Convention it made a declara- 
tion of the adoption by the people, and that it was established 
as "the Civil Constitution for the State of New Hampshire, to 
take effect on the first Wednesday of June, 1784." 

The time from the assembling of the Convention, June 5th, 
1 78 1, to the declaration of the adoption of the Constitution, 
October 31st, 1783, was two years and nearly three months. 

FEDERAL CONSTITUTION, ETC. 

New Hampshire was the ninth State to adopt the Federal 
Constitution. The first session of the Convention to consider 
the subject met at Exeter on the thirteenth day of February, 
1788. The most distinguished statesmen and civilians of the 
State were among its members, and General John Sullivan was 
its president. 

Salisbury sent, as delegate, Colonel Ebenezer Webster. It 
is a noticeable fact, that, to all these Conventions where wise 
judgment and careful deliberation were to be exercised, Mr. 
Webster should be chosen. At this time Mr. Webster was a 
State Senator, holding the office in 1785-1789 and 1790-1791, 
and was Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Hillsborough 
County, from 1791 to the time of his death in 1806. 

The action of Judge Webster, and of the town, in this Con- 
vention, is best told by Hon. George W. Nesmith, who is con- 
versant with the subject. 

In 1788, January 16, Col. Webster was elected a delegate to 
the Convention at Exeter, for the purpose of considering the 
United States Constitution. A committee was also chosen by 
the town to examine said Constitution and advise with said 
delegate. This committee was composed of Joseph Bean, Esq., 
Jonathan Fifield, Esq., Jonathan Cram, Capt. Luke Wilder, 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. II5 

Deacon John Collins, I-^dward Eastman, John C. Gale, Capt, 
Robert Smith, Leonard Judkins, Deacon Jacob True, Lt. Bean, 
Lt. Severance and John Smith. At the first meeting of the 
Convention, in Feburary, Col. Webster opposed the Constitution 
under instructions from his town. 

A majority of the Convention were found to be opposed to 
the adoption of the Constitution. The Convention adjourned 
to Concord to meet in the succeeding month of June. In the 
meantime Col. Webster conferred with his constituents, advised 
with the committee on the subject, asked the privilege of sup- 
porting the Constitution', and he was instructed to vote as he 
might think proper. His speech made on this occasion has 
been printed. It did great credit to the head and heart of the 
author. 

SPEECH OF COL. EBENEZER WEBSTER. 

"Mr. President: I have listened to the arguments for and 
against the Constitution. I am convinced such a government 
as that Constitution will establish, if adopted — a government 
acting directly on the people of the States — is necessary for 
the common defence and the general welfare. It is the only 
government which will enable us to pay off the national debt, 
the debt which we owe for the Revolution, and which we are 
bound in honor fully and fairly to discharge. Besides, I have 
followed the lead of Washington through seven years of war, 
and I never have been misled. His name is subscribed to this 
Constitution. He will not mislead us now. I shall vote for 
its adoption." 

A session of four days was sufficient to complete the work. 
The final vote stood fifty-seven in favor of the Constitution and 
forty-six against it. 

FIRST REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION. 

A Convention to revise the Constitution convened at Concord, 
September 7, 1791, and is known as the Third Constitutional 
Convention. Salisbury selected as a delegate the first settled 
minister of the town, the Rev. Jonathan Searle. He was a 



Il6 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

graduate of Harvard University. [ Prov. & State Pap. Vol. lo, 

P- 36, (41)-] 

Rev. Mr. Bouton, in said volume, says : "The journal of the 
New Hampshire Convention in 1 791-2, which revised the 
State Constitution of 1784, furnishes the names of the distin- 
guished men who composed that Convention and mark an era 
in our history of which the State may be justly proud." 

This Convention, having ably finished the work given it to 
.do, adjourned to meet again on the 5th of September, 1792. 
The amended Constitution having been submitted to the people, 
it was ascertained, on the re-assembling of the Convention, that 
it had been ratified by a vote of 2122 for and 978 against it — 
and it remained in force till 185 1, nearly sixty years. 

SECOND REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION. 

The people of the State, at the annual meeting in March, 
1850, voted to call a Convention to revise the Constitution. 
On the 8th of October of that year, each town chose one or 
more delegates, to meet in Convention for the above purpose, 
at Concord, on the 6th of November, 1850. 

Salisbury selected as delegate, Abraham H. Robinson, a 
practicing physician in the town, and a graduate of Yale 
College. 

The Convention met at the time designated and continued 
in session till the 2d of January, 185 i. Fifteen different amend- 
ments were agreed upon and submitted to the people for their 
rejection or adoption at the annual March meeting, in 185 1, 
and all of them were rejected. 

On the 1 6th of April following, the Convention re-assembled 
and agreed upon three amendments, i. To abolish the pro- 
perty qualification for office. 2. To abolish the religious test. 
3. To empower the Legislature to originate future amendments 
of the Constitution. 

The amendment abolishing the property qualification for 
office was then adopted, and the other two were rejected. 

This was the P'ourth Constitutional Convention. 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 11/ 

THIRD REVISION OF THK CONSTITUTION. 

In 1876, at the annual meeting in March, the people voted 
to call a Convention to revise the Constitution, and delegates 
were chosen at the Presidental election in November,, 1876. 
There were thirteen amendments agreed upon by the Conven- 
tion and all but two were adopted by the people at the annual 
election in March, 1877. 

This was the Fifth Constitutional Convention. 

The delegate from Salisbury to this Convention was Nathaniel 
Bean. 

Under the "Plan" of government in New Hampshire, from 
1784 to the adoption of the Constitution, September 5th, 1792, 
the chief magistrate of the State held the title of "President," 
instead of Governor, although elected in the same manner as 
the present Governor. 

In the lists given below the successful candidate is indicated 
by an asterisk (*.) 

VOTE FOR STATE PRESIDENT, I784 TO I79I, INCLUSIVE. 



1784. 


Meshech Weare, 


2S* 


17S8. 


John Langdon, 


33* 


1785. 


Col. Josiah Bartlett, 


30 




John Sullivan, 


•5 




John Langdon, 


0* 




Jo.siah Bartlett, 


5 


1786. 


John Langdon, 


29 


1789. 


John Sullivan, 


,3* 




George Atkinson, 


2 




John Pickering, 


15 




John Sullivan, 


0* 


1790. 


John Pickering, 


62 


I7S7. 


John Langdon, 


27 




Josiah Bartlett, 


0* 




John Sullivan, 


24* 


1791. 


Josiah Bartlett, 


78* 




VOTE FOR GOVERNOR, 


1792 TO 1885, INCLUSIVE. 




1792. 


Josiah Bartlett, 


86* 


1800. 


John T. Oilman, 


134* 


1793- 


Josiah Hartlett, 
Timothy Walker, 


100* 

I 




Timothy Walker, 
Philip Carrigan, 


40 

I 


1794. 


John T. (lilman, 


106* 


1801. 


John T. Oilman, 


.03* 


1795- 


John T. Oilman, 


86* 




Timothy Walker, 


50 


1796. 


John T. fiilman. 


103* 




Scattering, 


5 




Abiel Foster, 


I 


1S02. 


John 'P. Oilman, 


U3* 


1797- 


John T. (lilman. 


no* 




John Langdon, 


44 


1798. 


John T. (lilman. 


82* 


1S03. 


John T. Oilman, 


'57* 




Oliver Peabody, 


22 




John I^angdon, 


66 


1799. 


John T. Oilman, 


72* 


1S04. 


John T. Oilman, 


'35* 




Oliver Peabody, 


6 




John Langdon, 


79 



ii8 


HISTORY 


OF SALISBURY. 




1805. 


John T. Oilman, 


144 


1824. 


David L. Morrill, 


135* 




John Langdon, 


127* 




Levi Woodbury, 


38 


1S06. 


John Langdon, 


122* 




Scattering, 


75 




John T. Oilman, 


72, 


1825. 


David L. Morrill, 


273* 




Scattering, 


58 




Scattering, 


4 


1807. 


John Langdon 


III* 


1S26. 


Benjamin Pierce, 


153 




Timothy Farrar, 


31, 




David L. Morrill, 


63* 




Scattering, 


18 




Scattering, 


4 


1 80S. 


John Langdon, 


66* 


1S27. 


Benjamin Pierce 


2 I 2*" 




Thomas W. Thompson, 


22 




Scattering, 


16 


1809. 


Jeremiah Smith, 


168* 


1828. 


Benjamin Pierce, 


193 




John Langdon, 


121 




John Bell, 


167* 


1810. 


Jeremiah Smith, 


158 




Scattering, 


I 




John Langdon, 


144* 


1S29. 


Benjamin Pierce, 


159* 


iSii. 


John Langdon, 


166* 




John Bell, 


78 




Jeremiah Smith, 


154 


1S30. 


Matthew Harvey, 


150* 


1812. 


John T. Oilman, 


162 




Timothy Upham, 


68 




William Plummer, 


145* 


1831. 


Samuel Dinsmore, 


157* 




Scattering, 


2 




Ichabod Bartlett, 


81 


1813. 


William Plummer, 


176 




Scattering, 


I 




John T. Oilman, 


173* 


1832. 


Samuel Dinsmore, 


134* 


1814. 


John T. Oilman, 


207* 




Ichabod Bartlett, 


60 




William Plummer, 


149 


1833- 


Samuel Dinsmore, 


164* 




Scattering, 


2 




Arthur Livermore, 


29 


1815. 


John T. Oilman, 


183* 




Scattering, 


I 




William Plummer, 


145 


1834- 


William Badger, 


236* 




Scattering, 


I 




Scattering, 


6 


1S16. 


James Sheafe, 


176 


'835- 


William Badger, 


138* 




William Plummer, 


172* 




Joseph Healey, 


61 




Scattering, 


3 


1836. 


Isaac Hill, 


•35* 


1817. 


William Plummer, 


170* 




William Itadger, 


5 




James Sheafe, 


147 




Scattering, 


4 




Scattering, 


4 


1837- 


Isaac Hill, 


156* 


1818. 


William Plummer, 


173* 


1838. 


Isaac Hill, 


154* 




Jeremiah Mason, 


145 




James Wilson, 


94 


1819. 


Samuel Bell, 


161* 


1839. 


John Page, 


158* 




William Hale, 


135 




James Wilson, 


102 




Scattering, 


2 




Scattering, 


I 


1820. 


Samuel Bell, 


295* 


1840. 


John Page, 


159* 




Scattering, 


8 




Enos Stevens, 


77 


1821. 


Samuel Bell, 


215* 


1841. 


John Page, 


160* 




Jeremiah Mason, 


3 




Enos Stevens, 


94 


1822. 


Samuel Bell, 


209* 




Scattering, 


I 




Jeremiah Mason, 


I 


1842. 


Henry Hubbard, 


192* 


♦1823. 


Samuel Dinsmore, 


148 




Enos Stevens, 


59 




Levi Woodbury, 


13s* 




Scattering, 


4 




Scattering, 


2 









CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 



119 



1843. 


Anthony Colby, 


39 


1859. 


Asa P. Cate, 


152 




Henry Hubbard, 


H3* 




Ichabod Goodwin, 


118* 




Scattering, 


9 


i860. 


Asa P. Cate, 


159 


1844. 


John H. Steele, 


128* 




Ichabod Goodwin, 


127* 




Anthony Colby, 


7- 


1S61. 


George Stark, 


152 




Scattering, 


J4 




Nathaniel S. Berry, 


94* 


1845. 


John H. Steele, 


128* 


1862. 


George Stark, 


'38 




Anthony Colby, 


69 




Nathaniel S. Berry, 


95* 




Scattering, 


•3 




Paul J. Wheeler, 


13 


1846. 


Jared W. Williams, 


141 


1863. 


Ira A. Eastman, 


147 




Anthony Colby, 


79* 




Joseph A. Gilmore, 


52* 




Nathaniel S. Berry, 


20 




Walter Harriman, 


31 


1847. 


Jared W. William's, 


173* 


1864. 


Edward W. Harrington, 


152 




Anthony Colby, 


87 




Joseph A. Gilmore, 


108* 




Nathaniel S. Berry, 


16 


1865. 


Edward W. Harrington, 


146 


184S. 


Jared W. Williams, 


180* 




Frederick Smyth, 


108* 




Nathaniel S. Berry, 


77 


1 866. 


John G. Sinclair, 


156 




Anthony Colby, 


I 




Frederick Smyth, 


102* 


1849- 


Samuel Dinsmore, 


163* 


1S67. 


John G. Sinclair, 


139 




Levi Chamberlin, 


56 




Walter Harriman, 


99* 




Nathaniel S. Berry, 


17 


1868. 


John G. Sinclair, 


153 


1850. 


Samuel Dinsmore, 


165* 




Walter Harriman, 


94* 




Levi Chamberlin, 


62 


1869. 


John Bedel, 


122 




Nathaniel S. Berry, 


17 




Onslow Stearns, 


87* 


I85I. 


Samuel Dinsmore, 


159* 




Scattering, 


I 




Thomas E. Sawyer, 


54 


1870. 


John Bedel, 


83 




John Atwood, 


iS 




Onslow Stearns, 


82* 


1852. 


Noah Martin, 


163* 




Samuel Flint, 


38 




Thomas E. Sawyer, 


64 




Lorenzo D. Barrows, 


II 




Scattering, 


i6 


1871. 


James A. Weston, 


127* 


1853- 


Xoah Martin, 


147* 




James Pike, 


94 




James Bell, 


51 




Scattering, 


7 




John H. White, 


'7 


1872. 


James A. Weston, 


115 


1854. 


Nathaniel B. Baker, 


153* 




Ezekiel A. Straw, 


"5* 




James Bell, 


5' 




Lemuel P. Cooper, 


7 




Jared Perkins, 


13 


1873- 


James A. Weston, 


"3 


IS55. 


Nathaniel B. Baker, 


144 




Ezekiel A. Straw, 


107* 




Ralph Metcalf, 


13'* 




Scattering, 


9 




Scattering, 


2 


1874. 


James A. Weston, 


123* 


1856. 


John S. Wells, 


150 




Luther McCutchins, 


75 




Ralph Metcalf, 


I 26* 




Scattering, 


I 




Ichabod Goodwin, 


4 


1875- 


Hiram R. Roberts, 


129 


1857. 


John S. Wells, 


'49 




Person C. Cheney, 


89* 




William llaile, 


•35* 




Scattering, 


I 


1858. 


Asa P. Cate, 


'54 


1876. 


Daniel Marcy, 


^V 




William Haile, 


120* 




Person C. Cheney, 


8o» 



I20 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



1877. Daniel Marcy, 


118 


1880-81. Frank Jones, 


128 


Benjamin F. Prescott, 


go* 


Charles H. Bell, 


no* 


1878. Frank McKean, 


124 


1882-83. Martin V. B. Edgerly, 


"3 


Benjamin F. Prescott, 


80* 


Samuel W. Hale, 


103* 


Scattering, 


5 


1884-S5. Moody Currier, 


III* 


1879-81. Frank McKean, 


108 


John M. Hill. 


103 


Natt Head, 


75* 






Warren G. Brown, 


16 







REPRESENTATIVES. 

The names upon the town records were often differently 
spelled, accordingly as the town clerk understood their pro- 
nunciation. Titles were prefixed to proper names, or not, just 
as the recorder supposed to be correct. 

The early annual election for officers was held on the last 
Tuesday in March, until 1795, when the day was changed to 
the second Tuesday in March. In 1878 the State, county offi- 
cers, supervisors, and representatives were for the first time 
elected biennially in November. 

1775, Salisbury and Boscawen sent, as classed towns, Henry 
Gerrish, of the latter town ; 1779, Henry Gerrish ; 1780. 

In 1784, under the new Constitution, Salisbury sent Capt. 
Matthew Pettengill. 



1780. Capt. Ebenezer Webster, 

1781. Capt. Ebenezer Webster, 

1782. Jonathan Cram, 

1783. Capt. Matthew Pettengill, 

1784. Capt. Matthew Pettengill. 
1785-6. Lt. Robert Smith. 
1787-8-9. Voted not to send. 
1790-1. Col. Ebenezer Webster. 
1792-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-1800. John C. Gale. 
1801-2-3-4. Andrew Bowers. 

1805. Col. John C. Gale. 

1806. Andrew Bowers. 
1807-S. Thomas W. Thompson. 
1809. Andrew Bowers. 
1810-11-12-13. Maj. Jabaz Smith. 
1814-15. Lt. Benjamin Pettengill. 
1816-17-18. Maj. Jabez Smith. 
1819. Israel W. Kelly. 
1820-21. Maj. Jabez Smith. 
1822. Samuel C. Bartlett. 



1823-24. Maj. Jabez Smith. 

1825. Voted not to send. 

1826. John Townsend. 

1827. Samuel C. Bartlett. 

1828. John Townsend. 
1829-30-31. Matthew P. Webster. 
1832. Moses Greeley. 

1833-34. Voted not to send. 
1835-36-37. Benj. Pettengill, 2d. 
1838-39. Nathaniel Bean. 
1840-41. True George. 
1842-43. Cyrus Gookin. 
1844-45. Richard Fellows. 
1846-47. Stephen Pingry. 
1848-49. David C. Gookin. 
1850-51. Peter Whittemore. 
1852-53. Currier Quimby. 
1854-55. James Fellows. 
1856-57. Dr. A. H. Robinson. 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 



121 



1858-59. Gilbert Eastman. 
1860-61. John C. .Smith. 
1S62-63. Porter H. Watson. 
1S64-65. Daniel J. Calef. 
1866. John M. Hayes. 
1867-68. Moses P. Thompson. 

1869. Charles C. Rogers. 

1870. Benjamin F. Scribner. 

187 1. Charles C. Rogers. 



1872-73. Caleb E. !"(mith. 
1S74-75, Joseph N. Greeley. 
1876-77. Isaac Sanborn. 

1878. Jonathan Arey. 

1879. Daniel C. Stevens. 

1880. Pliny A. Fellows. 
1882. John Shaw. 

1884. Warren C. Webster. 



TOWN OFFICERS. 



The following list embraces the names of moderators, (M.), 
town clerks, (C), and selectmen, (S.), chosen at the annual 
March meeting, from April 7th, 1768, to 1884, inclusive: 



1768. Capt. John Webster, M. I774- 
Sinkler Bean, C. 

Stephen Call, S. 
Joseph Bean, 
Thomas Chase. 

1769. Ebenezer Webster, M. 1775' 
.Sinkler Bean, C. 

John Collins, S. 
Robert Smith, 
Ebenezer Webster. 

1770. Capt. John Webster, M. 1776. 
Sinkler Bean, C. 

Eliphalet Gale, S. 
Andrew Pettengill, 
Ebenezer Webster. 

1771. Capt. (John) Webster, M. 1777. 
Ebenezer Webster, C. 

Sinkler Bean, .S. 
Joseph Fifield, 
John Collins. 

1772. Benjamin Sanborn, M. 1778. 
Ebenezer Webster, C. 

Capt. Matthew Pettengill, S. 
Benjamin Sanborn, 
Ebenezer Webster. 

1773. Capt. John Webster, M. 1779- 
Ebenezer Webster, C. 

Capt. John Webster, S. 
Moses Garland, 
John Fifield. 



Joseph Bean, M. 

Dr. (Joseph) Bartlett, C. 

Shubael Greeley, S. 

Jonathan Cram, 

Ebenezer Webster. 

Capt. Ebenezer Webster, M. 

Dr. Joseph Bartlett, C. 

Leonard Judkins, S. 

Ens. John Webster, 

Deacon John Collins. 

Capt. Ebenezer Webster, M. 

Jonathan Cram, C. 

Capt. Ebenezer Webster, S. 

Jonathan Fifield, 

Nathaniel Meloon, jr. 

Deacon John Collins, M. 

Jonathan Cram, C. 

David Pettengill, S. 

Dr. Joseph Bartlett, 

Benjamin Iluntoon. 

Capt. Ebenezer W«bster, M. 

Jonathan Cram, C. 

Jacob Cochran, S. 

David Brottlebank, 

Deacon John Collins. 

Capt. John Webster, M. 

Jonathan Cram, C. 

Lt. Robert Smith, S. 

John Hoit, 

Dr. Joseph Bartlett. 



122 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



1780. Capt. Ebenezer Webster, M. 1789. 
Deacon John Collins, C. 

Capt. Ebenezer Webster, S. 
Joseph Bartlett, Esq., 
Edward Eastman. 

1781. Capt. John Webster,]M. 1790. 
Deacon John Collins, C. 

Jonathan Fifield, S. 
Willet Peterson, 
Joseph Bartlett, Esq. 

1782. Capt. John Webster, M. 1791. 
John Collins, C. 

Joseph Bartlett, Esq., S. 
Phineas ISean, 
John Collins. 

1783. Capt. John Webster, M. 1792. 
John Collins, C. 

Elder Benj. Huntoon, S. 
Capt. Benj. Pettengill, 
John Collins Gale. 

1784. Capt. Ebenezer Webster, M. I793- 
John Collins, C. 

John Sweatt, S. 
Daniel Brottlebank, 
Jacob True. 

1785. Capt. Ebenezer Webster, M. i794- 
John Collins, C. 

John Smith, S. 

Capt. Ebenezer Webster, 

Benjamin Greeley, jr. 

1786. Col. Ebenezer Webster, M. 1795. 
John Collins, C. 

David Pettengill, S. 
Col. Ebenezer Webster, 
Joseph Bartlett, Esq. 

1787. Col. Ebenezer Webster, M. 1796. 
John Collins, C. 

Capt. David Pettengill, S. 
Capt. Robert Smith, 
Capt. Luke Wilder. 

1788. Col. Ebenezer Webster, M. 1797. 
John Collins, C. 

Edward Fifield, S. 
Lt. Samuel Pillsbury, 
Col. Ebez'r Webster. 



Jonathan Fifield, M. 

John Collins, C. 

Lieut. Joseph Severance, S. 

Capt. David Pettengill, 

Jonathan Cram. 

Col. Ebenezer Webster, M. 

John Collins, C. 

Aquila Pingry, S. 

Lt. Joseph Fifield, ■ 

Lt. Phineas Bean. 

Col. Ebenezer Webster, M. 

John Collins, C. 

Lt. John C. Gale, S. 

Joel Eastman, 

Nathaniel Meloon. 

Elder Benj. Huntoon, M. 

John Collins, C. 

Joel Eastman, S. 

Andrew Bowers, 

Amos Pettengill. 

Edward Eastman, M. 

John Collins, C. 

Andrew Bowers, S. 

Joel Eastman, 

Amos Pettengill. 

Lt. John C. Gale, M. 

John Collins, C. 

Andrew Bowers, S. 

Reuben True, 

Moses Fellows. 

Capt. Luke Wilder, M. 

Joel Eastman, C. 

Moses Fellows, S. 

Joel Eastman, 

Richard Greeley. 

Benjamin Whittemore, M. 

Joel Eastman, C. 

Moses Fellows, 8. 

Reuben True, 

Luke Wilder. 

Judge Ebez'r Webster, M. 

Joel Eastman, C. 

Joel Eastman, S. 

Reuben True, 

Moses Fellows. 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY 



123 



1798. Hon. Judge Webster, M. 1808. 
Joel Eastman, C. 

Joel Eastman, S. 
Reuben True, 
Moses Fellows. 

1799. Andrew Bowers, M. 1S09. 
Joel Eastman, C. 

Joel Eastman, S. 
John Smith, 
Isaac Blaisdell. 

1800. Andrew Bowers, M. 1810. 
Joel Eastman, C. 

Joel Eastman, S. 
Capt. Aquila Pingry, 
Benj. Pettengill. 

1801. Benjamin Whittemore, M. iSii. 
Joel Eastman, C. 

Benjamin Pettengill, S. 

Jabez Smith, 

Reuben True. 
180^. Ebenezer Webster, M. 181 2. 

Joel Eastman, C 

Joel Eastman, S. 

Benjamin Pettengill, 

Reuben True. 
1S03. Judge Webster, M. 1813. 

Joel Eastman, C. 

Joel Eastman, S. 

Benjamin Pettengill, 

Joshua Fifield. 

1804. John Sweatt, M. 1814. 
Joel Eastman, C. 

Joel Eastman, S. 
Benjamin Pettengill, jr., 
Joshua Fifield. 

1805. Thomas W. Thompson, M. 181 5. 
Joel Eastman, C. 

Reuben True, S. 
Joshua Fifield, 
Nathaniel Xoyes. 

1806. Edward Blodgett, M. 1S16. 
Joel Eastman, C. 

Reuben True, S. 
Joshua Fifield, 
Nathaniel Noyes. 

1807. John Sweatt, M. 1817. 
Joel Eastman, (.'. 

Samuel Orccnlcaf, S. 

John Smith, 

Lieut. Benj. Pettengill. 



Andrew Bowers, M. 
Joel Eastman, C. 
Lt. Benj. I'ettengill, S. 
Joshua Fifield, 
John Smith. 
John Sweatt, M. 
Joel Eastman, C. 
Joshua Fifield, S. 
Lt. Benj. Pettengill, 
Dea. Amos Pettengill. 
Edward Blodgett, Esq., M. 
Joel Eastman, C. 
Benj. Pettengill, jr., S. 
Levi Morrill, 
Capt. Wm. Pingry. 
Samuel Greenleaf, M. 
Joel Eastman, C. 
Benj. Pettengill, jr., .S. 
Joshua Fifield, 
Capt. Benj. Pettengill. 
Samuel Greenleaf, M. 
John Townsend, C. 
Benj. Pettengill, jr., S. 
Joshua Fifield, 
Enoch Osgood. 
Samuel Greenleaf, M. 
John Townsend. C. 
Capt. Benj. Pettengill, S. 
Lt. John Couch, 
Moses Greeley. 
Israel W. Kelly, M. 
John White, C. 
Capt. Benj. Pettengill, S. 
Joshua Fifield, 
John Smith. 
Israel W. Kelly, M. 
John White, C. 
Joshua Fifield, S. 
Israel W. Kelly, 
Samuel Greenleaf. 
Israel W. Kelly, M. 
John White, C' 
Joshua Fifield, S. 
Benj. Pettengill, jun'r., 
Capt Joel Eastman. 
Israel W. Kcllv, M. 
John Townsend, C. 
Capt. William I'ingry, .S. 
Lieut. Benj. Pettengill, 
Capt. Joel Eastman. 



124 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



i8i8. Israel W. Kelly, M. 1827. 

John Townsend, C. 
William Pingry, S. 
Jabez Smith, 
John Townsend. 

1819. Israel W. Kelly, M. 1828, 
Samuel C. Bartlett, C. 

William Pingry, S. 
John Townsend, 
Moses Greeley. 

1820. Maj. Jabez Smith, M. 1829. 
John Townsend, C. 

William Pingry, S. 

Moses Greley, 

Capt. Matthew P. Webster. 

1821. Israel W. Kelly, M. 1830. 
Samuel C. Bartlett, C. 

Lt. Benj. Pettengill, S. 
Matthew P. Webster, 
Joshua Fifield. 

1822. Israel W. Kelly, M. 1831. 
Samuel C. Bartlett, C. 

Matthew P. Webster, S. 
Lt. Benj. Pettengill, 
Joshua Fifield. 

1823. Israel W. Kelly, M. 1832. 
Samuel C. Bartlett, C. 

Lt. Benj. Pettengill, S. 

Joshua Fifield, 

Capt. Matthew P. Webster. 

1824. Israel W. Kelly, M. 1833. 
Samuel C. Bartlett, C. 

Lt. Benjamin Pettengill, S. 
Matthew P. Webster, 
Nathaniel Webster. 

1825. Thomas Pettengill, M. 1834. 
Samuel C. Bartlett, C. 

Nathaniel Webster, S. 
Matthew P. Webster, 
Capt. Joseph Morrill. 
1S26. Israel W. Kelly, M. 1835. 

Samuel C. Bartlett, C. 
Jabez Smith, S. 
Nathaniel Webster, 
Thomas Chase. 



Jabez Smith, M. 
Samuel C. Bartlett, C. 
Jabez Smith, S. 
Nathaniel Webster, 
Thomas Chase. 
Israel W. Kelly, M. 
John Townsend, C. 
Matthew P. Webster, S. 
Moses Greeley, 
Stephen Sanborn. 
Moses Greeley, M. 
John Townsend, C. 
William Pingry, S. 
Thomas Chase, 
Nathaniel Bean. 
William M. Pingry, M. 
John Townsend, C. 
William Pingry, S. 
Thomas Chase, 
Nathaniel Bean. 
Capt. True George, M. 
John Townsend, C. 
Nathaniel Bean, S. 
Joshua T. Greene, 
Daniel Fitts. 
Capt. True George, M. 
Joseph Couch, C. 
True George, S. 
Joshua T. Greene, ^ 
Daniel Fitts. 
True George, M. 
Joseph Couch, C. 
Benjamin Pettengill, S. 
Nathaniel Bean, 
True George. 
Israel W. Kelly, M. 
John Townsend, C. 
Nathaniel Bean, S. 
Matthew P. Webster, 
Samuel Allen. 
Israel W. Kelly, M. 
John Townsend, C. 
Nathaniel P«ean, S. 
John C. Gale, 
John L. Eaton. 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 



125 



1S36. True CJeorge, M. 

John Tovvnsend, C. 

Nathaniel Hean, S. 

Matthew P. Wehster, 

Moses Greeley. 
1837. True George, M. 

John Townsend, C. 

Nathaniel Hean, S. 

Matthew P. Webster, 

Cyrus Gookin. 
1S3S. True George, M. 

John Calef, 2d, C. 

Cyrus Gookin, S. 

Moses (Jreeley, 

Nathaniel D. Iluntoon. 

1539. True George, M. 
John Calef, 2d, C. 
Cyrus Gookin, S. 
Nathaniel D. Huntoon, 
Hezekiah F. Stevens. 

1540. True George, M. 
John Calef, 2d, C. 
Nathaniel Bean, S. 
II. F. Stevens, 
Peter Whittemore. 

1 84 1. True George, M. 

John Calef, 2d, C. 

Nathaniel Bean, S. 

Richard Fellows, 

Stephen I'ingry. 
1S42. True George, M. 

John Calef, 2d, C. 

Nathaniel Bean, S. 

Richard Fellows, 

Stephen Pingry. 

1843. Nathaniel Bean, M. 

( Rev.) John Burden, C. 
Richard Fellows, S. 
Stephen Pingry, 
Ebenczer Johnson. 

1844. Nathaniel Bean, .M. 
John Burden, C. 
Matthew P. Webster, S. 
Henry .Morrill, 

John Calef, 2d. 



1845. Nathaniel Bean, M. 
John Burden, C. 

D. C. Gookin, S. 
Moses Fellows, jr., 
Henry Morrill. 

1846. Nathaniel Bean, M. 
Moses P. Thompson, C. 
David C. Gookin, S. 
Moses Fellows, 
Currier Quimby. 

1S47. True George, M. 

Moses P. Thompson, C. 
David C. Gookin, S. 
Currier (^)uimby, 
Nathaniel Bean. 

1848. True George, M. 
Moses P. Thompson, C. 
Nathaniel Bean, S. 
Currier Quimby, 
Henry Morrill. 

1849. True George, M. 

Dr. A. H. Robinson, C. 
— i^urrier Quimby, S. 
Stevens Fellows, 
Benjamin F. Gale. 

1850. True George, M. 

Dr. A. H. Robinson, C. 
Cyrus Gookin, S. 
James Fellows, 
Benjamin F. Gale. 

1851. Cyrus Gookin, .M. 

Dr. A. H. Robinson, C. 

Cyrus Gookin, S. 

James Fellows, 

Nathaniel Sawyer. 
1S52. True George, M. 

Dr. A. H. Robinson, C. 

James Fellows, S. 

Gilman Moores, 

Nathaniel .Sawyer. 
'853- Cyrus Gookin, M. 

Dr. A. H. Robinson, C. 

James Fellows, S. 

Gilman .Moores, 

Nathan Tucker, jr. 



126 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



1854. Cyrus Gookin, M. 

Dr. A. H. Robinson, C. 

Oilman Moores, S. 

Nathan Tucker, jr., 

Moses C. Webster. 
1S55. Cyrus Gookin, M. 

Dr. A. H. Robinson, C. 

Cyrus Gookin, S. 

Moses C. Webster, 

Ebenezer Johnson. 

1856. Cyrus Gookin, M. 
Moses P. Thompson, C. 
Gilbert Eastman, S. 
David R. McAllister, 
John R. Brown. 

1857. Cyrus Gookin, M. 
Moses P. Thompson, C. 
Gilbert Eastman, S. 
David R. McAllister, 
John R. Brown. 

1858. Cyrus Gookin, M. 
Hiram F. French, C. 
John C. Smith, S. 
Moses P. Thompson, 
Porter B. Watson. 

1859. Cyrus Gookin, M. 
Hiram F. French, C. 
John C. Smith, S. 
Moses P. Thompson, 
Porter B. Watson. 

1560. Cyrus Gookin, M. 
Everett W. Guilford, C. 
Moses P. Thompson, S. 
Porter B. Watson, 
Daniel J. Calef. 

1561. Cyrus Gookin, M. 
William Dunlap, C. 
Nathaniel Bean, S. 
Daniel J. Calef, 
Sylvester P. Scribner. 

1862. Cyrus Gookin, M. 
William Dunlap, C. 
Daniel J. Calef, S. 
Sylvester P. Scribner, 
Isaac Sanborn. 



1863. Cyrus Gookin, M. 
William Dunlap, C. 
Daniel J. Calef, S. 
Sylvester P. Scribner, 
Isaac Sanborn. 

1864. Cyrus Gookin, M. 
William Dunlap, C. 
Isaac Sanborn, S. 
John R. Brown, 
Ira H. Couch. 

1S65. Cyrus Gookin, M. 
John M. Hayes, C. 
John R. Brown, S. 
Ira H. Couch, 
William H. Moulton. 

1866. Nathaniel Bean, M. 
John M. Hayes, C. 
Sylvester P. Scribner, S. 
William H. Moulton, 
Charles C. Rogers. 

1867. John C. Smith, M. 
John M. Hayes, C. 
Sylvester P. Scribner, S. 
Charles C. Rogers, 
Henry C. W. Moores. 

1868. John C. Smith, M. 
Thomas H. Whitaker, C. 
Charles C. Rogers, S. 
Henry C. W. Moores, 
Francis Stevens. 

1869. John C. Smith, M. 
Thomas H. Whitaker, C. 
Henry C. W. Moores, S. 
Francis Stevens, 
George E. Fellows. 

187c. Cyrus Gookin, M. 

Thomas H. Whitaker, C. 

Daniel J. Calef, S. 

Thomas D. Little, 

George E. Fellows. 
187 1. Daniel J. Calef, M. 

Thomas H. Whitaker, C. 

Thomas D. Little, S. 

Nathan Killburn, 

Moses C. Webster. 



CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY. 



127 



1872. Albert H. Martin, M. 1879. 
Thomas H. Whitaker, C. 

Charles C. Rogers, S. 
Moses C. Webster, 
Daniel C. Stevens. 

1873. D. R. Everett, M. 18S0. 
Elbridge Smith, C. 

Charles C. Rogers, S. 
Daniel C. Stevens, 
Jonathan Arey. 

1874. Charles C. Rogers, M. 1881. 
Elbridge Smith, C. 

Charles C. Rogers, S. 
Jonathan Arey, 
Thomas H. Whitaker. 

1875. Charles C. Rogers, M. 1882. 
Elbridge Smith, C. 

Charles C. Rogers, S. 
Jonathan Arey, 
Thomas D. Little. 

1876. Charles C. Rogers, M. 1883. 
Elbridge Smith, C. 

Jonathan Arey, S. 

Thomas M. Whitaker, 

John Shaw. 
1S77. Charles C. Rogers, M. 1884. 

Elbridge Smith, C. 

Jonathan Arey, S. 

Thomas H. Whitaker, 

John .Shaw. 
1878. James L. Foot, M. 

George H. Scribner, C. 

John Shaw, S. 

Elbridge Smith, 

Dana J. Mann. 



Charles C. Rogers, M. 

George H. Scribner, C. 

Thomas H. Whitaker, S. 

Caleb E. Smith, 

John W. Fifield. 

Charles C. Rogers, M. 

Warren C. Webster, C. 

Thomas H. Whitaker, S. 

Caleb E. Smith, 

John W. Fifield. 

Charles C. Rogers, M. 

Warren C. Webster, C. 

Thos. H. Whitaker, .S., (resigned.) 

Caleb E. Smith, 

Michael Lorden. 

Charles C. Rogers, M. 

Warren C. Webster, C. 

John Shaw, S. 

Michael Lorden, 

Pliny A. Fellows. 

Silas P. Thompson, M. 

Warren C. Webster, C. 

Michael Lorden, S. 

Pliny A. Fellows, 

Thomas R. Little. 

John Shaw, M. 

Benjamin F. Severance, C. 

Pliny A. Fellows, S. 

Thomas R. Little, 

Charles H. Prince. 



TOWN TREASURERS. 

The first treasurer of the town was Joseph Bean, Esq., chosen 
February 12, 1780. In 181 2, Andrew Bowers was chosen to fill 
the office, but for the greater part of the time the chairman 
of the board of selectmen has acted as treasurer. Subsequent 
town treasurers were as follows : 



1877. Jonathan Arey. 
1878-79. John Shaw. 
1880. David S. Prince. 



iSSi-82. Charles C. Rogers. 
1 88 3-84. Andrew E. (^uimby. 



128 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

SUPERVISORS. 

This board, consisting of three members, was instituted in 
1878. They are elected in November, biennially, and have the 
entire control in making up the checklist : 

1878-79. Jonathan Arey, 1882-83. David S. Prince, 
Thomas Whitaker, Merril Perry, 

Amos Chapman. Thomas R. Little. 

1880-81. Isaac Sanborn, 18S4-5. David S. Prince, 

Elbridge Smith, Lewis D. Hawlvins, 

Dana J. Mann. George H. Pressey. 



CHAPTER X. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 

" In the Church of the Wilderness Edwards wrought, 

Shaping his creed at the forge of Thought, 

And with Thor's own hammer wielded and bent 

The iron links of his argument, 

Which strove to grasp, in its mighty span, 

The purpose of God and the will of man." 

FIRST MEETING-HOUSE IN THE STATE. 

The first church, or meeting-house as it was called in old times, 
erected in the State was located at Dover Point. It was sita- 
ated so as to command every access, and was surrounded by for- 
tifications, with flankers extending up and down the bay. This 
house was built in 1633 or 1634. One or two others were con- 
structed at very nearly the same time. The church at Hamp- 
ton, which has often been regarded as the oldest, was built in 
1635, at least one year later than that at Dover. The minister 
at Hampton was the Rev. Stephen Bachiler, a remote ancestor 
of Daniel Webster. Mr. Bachiler came from Norfolk County, 
England, as did also many of- the original settlers of Hampton. 

THE CHURCH IN EXETER. 

When the Rev. John Wheelwright declared his belief in cer- 
tain doctrines, enunciated by his sister, Mrs. Anne Hutchinson, 
he was accused of sedition and was ordered by the Court to 
leave Boston. On taking his departure, eight of the members 
of his church accompanied him. Settling at Exeter, in 1638, 
they organized a church. They were Calvinists ; but, like their 
religious guide, had embraced certain doctrines in conflict with 
the Puritan creed, and sought a location where they might 
9 



130 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

exercise a broader religious freedom. Neither Baptists, nor 
Quakers, nor Antinomians could be harbored in the Province 
of Massschusetts. 

SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY. 

The Masonian Proprietors, in imitation of the English gov- 
ernment, exercised great discretion, when, in giving grants of 
land, they provided that the ordinances of religion should be 
maintained. One of the essential duties of the grantees was to 
provide "a place of public worship," and maintain a learned and 
"orthodox minister." 

In the charters obtained from executive or legislative author- 
ity, the same provisions were expressed. The most important 
votes at the annual town meetings related to "ministers" and 
"meeting-houses," and the raising of money to support them. 
The "standing order" was the congregational denomination or 
"the orthodox." To this denomination the appropriations made 
by the town for the support of the gospel were assigned, prior 
to the year 18 19, when the "Toleration Act " was passed. After 
that the rights of all denominations were recognized, and every 
taxpayer had liberty to designate the religious society in town to 
which his proportion of the "minister's tax" should be paid. 

In the grant to Stevenstown, 1749, as in grants of other 
townships, a right of land equal in amount to each of the other 
shares was assigned to the minister, which he was not only at 
liberty to use while he continued to preach the gospel to the 
people,, but on his settlement the share became his property. 
Another right or share was "set apart for the support of the 
gospel ministry forever." These lots were to be laid out as 
"near the location of the meeting-house as convenient." Ten 
acres of land were to be laid out "in some convenient place, as 
the major part of said grantees shall determine, for a meeting- 
house, a school house, a muster field, a burying place and other 
public uses." 

LOCATION OF THE MEETING-HOUSE. 

From a very early map of the Merrimack valley, there appears 
to have been located a meeting-house not far from the west 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. I3I 

bank of the river, in the vicinity of the fort, on the "Webster 
farm," near the Orphans' Home. 

In 1765, when the people of Stevenstown petitioned for aid 
in settling the town, they represented that they had built a fort 
and were about to "build a meeting-house." It may be they 
had constructed one of logs previous to this date. There is 
some reason to believe that they had so done, but there is no 
accessible record to indicate it. 

At a meeting of the Proprietors, held in Kingston, in 1764, 
Deacon Elisha Svvett and Jonathan Woodman were constituted 
a committee to designate where the meeting-house should be 
located. This committee selected ten acres on the north side 
of what was afterwards called Searle's Hill, or, as Mr. Webster 
was accustomed to call it, "Mount Pisgah," about midway 
between the north and south lines of the township, but much 
nearer the eastern than the western border. 

THE FIRST CEMETERV. 

Here, soon after, the church was erected ; a school house 
once stood near it, and just east of the meeting-house was the 
burying ground. In this cemetery sleep the early dead of 
Salisbury. Here the infant brothers and sisters, and the self- 
sacrificing mother of Daniel Webster were buried. Here was 
laid, near one hundred years ago, the wife of the first minister 
of the town, and others beside her, old and young, 

"Who by the wayside fell and perished, 
Weary with the march of life." 

This land, including the cemetery, afterwards came into the 
possession of Stephen Perrin. It was subsequently owned by 
David Pettengill, who sold it to Samuel Guilford. Guilford, 
having no respect for the dead, with sacriligious hands removed 
the grave-stones and plowed up the land, and the burial place 
disappeared. The land is now owned by John C. Smith, and is 
used as a pasture. 

nUILDING THE MKETING-HOUSE. 

After the selection of a lot of land, the earliest recorded 
action in relation to the erection of a meeting-house was in 



132 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

1767, when the grantees voted "to build a meeting-house the 
same bigness as that in the second parish in Kingston," now 
East Kingston, and that "the pulpit be of the same size as the 
one at Hawke," now Danville. Capttain John Webster, Col. 
Ebenezer Stevens, Joseph Bean, Joshua Woodman, Dea. Elisha 
Swett and Joseph Woodman were chosen a committee "to see 
to the building of the meeting-house." 

Voted, that "a tax of three and a half dollars be assessed on 
each taxable poll towards building the house." 

As the sum raised was insufficient to meet the expense of 
the house, it was voted a few years later to raise an additional 
"tax of two and one-half dollars, to pay outstanding bills." 

In the spring of 1768 the frame was erected, boarded and 
shingled, and the lower floor was laid. It was then voted "to 
sell the privilege for pews in the meeting-house to the highest 
bidder and lay out the money towards finishing s'd house." 

SALE OF PEWS. 

The sale appears to have been advertised, the conditions 
determined, and the pews to be sold designated. It took place 
at Kingston, April 7, 1768. The purchaser was required "to 
pay down the money or give security to the assessors." No. 3 
was "struck off" to David Tilton, for £>t„ 13s. ; the second pew 
on the left hand of the west door, to John Calef, for ^3, 2s. ; 
No. 4, on the floor, to Samuel French, for £,t„ 15s. ; the second 
pew on the right hand of the east door, to Jonathan Ladd, for 
jQT), 4s., 6p. The sale was then adjourned to the 25th of May, 
to be held in Salisbury, at the house of Benjamin Sanborn. 

The purchasers at the first sale were non-residents, though 
proprietors of shares. There were other non-residents who 
purchased pews, among them Hon. Josiah Bartlett, Governor 
of the State in 1790. He was accustomed to occupy his own 
pew when he visited his nephew, Dr. Joseph Bartlett, At the 
adjourned sale parties purchased as follows: 

£ s. 

No. I, by Capt. John Webster, Jr., 6 3 

2, " Ens. Jacob dale, 4 16 

5, " William Calef, 4 5 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. I 33 

No. 6, by Andrew Hohonon, 4 4 

7, " Capt. John Webster, 4 5 

8, " Thomas Webster, 4 5 

9, " Andrew I'ettengill, 4 i 

12, " Elienezer Webster 3 14 

13, " John Collins, 2 17 

14, " Jacob Gale, 3 5 

1 5, " Jacol) Gale, 2 18 

1 6, " Shubael Greeley, 2 13 

FURTHER MEETING-HOUSE VOTES. 

The records this year show that the bill of Joseph Bean was 
presented and paid: "To laying a plan and finding a place to 
build the meeting-house, and one day at Kingston, jQi, 13s." 

The building of this house was let in lots to different parties, 
the work to be done "by the job," the contractor to find all the 
material and do all the work pertaining to his contract. Among 
those to whom awards were made were Matthew and David 
Pettengill, David Tilton, William and Jonathan Webster, An- 
drew Bohonon, Jacob Cjale and Thomas Welch. The town 
records of 1773 inform us that "Capt. John Webster did some 
work clapboarding," and "put in four windows." Ebenezer 
Webster, Joseph Bean and Capt. John Calef were a committee 
to see that the desk was built "in a workmanlike manner." 
Benjamin Huntoon, Ebenezer Stevens and Robert Smith were 
a committee to settle with those who purchased pews. 

The timber for the church was procured near by, as the hill 
was covered with a heavy growth of oak and pine. The shingles 
were manufactured at the homes of the citizens — split and 
shaved after the manner of the times. The clapboards were 
also split out of clear pine and shaved by hand. They were 
bevelled at each end and lapped when laid. The boards were 
sawed at the J^benezer Webster sawmill, on "Punch Brook." 

At the first annual town meeting, in 1768, it was voted to 
appropriate "seven pounds, four shillings, 1. m. to be paid for 
preaching, and Ebenezer Webster was chosen a committee to go 
after a minister." Although there is no record to indicate that 
he secured a preacher, it was very evident that he did, as it was 
voted "that the meetings be held at the house of Andrew 



134 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Pettengill," which was located where Deacon T. D. Little now 
resides. At the next annual meeting it was voted, "to raise 
twelve dollars towards supporting the gospel for the year ensu- 
ing." In 1770 six pounds were raised, and Lt. Matthew Pet- 
tengill, Andrew Pettengill and Sinkler Bean were chosen a 
committee to provide preaching. In October of the same year 
it was voted "that the parsonage lot should not be strewed with 
grain this year." 

It is probable that the wood and timber had been cut on some 
part of the lot and the ground put in a state preparatory to a 
crop of winter grain, but for reasons that do not concern us the 
vote was passed as recorded. It may be presumed the people 
were disappointed in settling a minister that year, as they had 
arranged to do. 

A PARSONAGE BUILT. 

The parsonage was nearly ready to be occupied. It was 
located northwest of the meeting-house, on the ten acres re- 
served for public uses. The house was large, two stories high, 
the lower story extending back, and the roof of the main house 
covering the extension. It was what in those days was styled 
a "comb-case roof." 

EARLY MINISTERS. 

There is mention on the town records of several clergymen 
who preached a few times in the town. The Rev. Mr. Elliot 
was the first to whom "a call" was given. He accepted the 
invitation, the day was named for the ordination, and arrange- 
ments were made for the occasion in conformity with the cus- 
tom of the times. But, as the day approached, he evidently 
anticipated the many hardships that were before him in a new 
country, and seasonably asked to be released from all obliga- 
tions, as appears from a letter given in a future chapter. 

The Rev. Mr. Searle, who had previously occupied the pulpit 
very acceptably, was then asked to become pastor of the church 
and people, and was the first settled minister in the town. He 
came in 1773, occupied the parsonage house, and resided there 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 135 

until his death in 1819. A biographical sketch of Mr. Searle 
is given in a succeeding chapter. 

After Mr. Searle's death the house was occupied by his son, 
Amos Searle, until his death in 183 1. His widow, Hannah 
(Hoit) Searle, then occupied it, with her son, Daniel Franklin 
Searle, for some years. It was eventually sold and taken down, 
and the timber used in the construction of other buildings. 

MATERIAL PROGRESS. 

Not only ecclesiastical history has been made since the incor- 
poration of the town, up to this date, but municipal history as 
well. Building of houses and clearing of lands have been in 
progress. Mechanics have found work to be done. A settle- 
ment, commenced on the bank of the river, in the east part of 
the town, has been prospering ; another, at what is known as 
"Smith's Corner," has been thriving and extending up the river 
to the "Mills." At "the Crank," or South Road, a little vil- 
lage has been springing up, and between Searle's Hill and the 
Blackwater many new buildings have been in process of con- 
struction, and new clearings in all directions appearing. The 
town has been making progress. 

THE MEETING-HOUSE CONTROVERSY. 

At this time, about the beginning of the year 1773, some 
restless spirits proposed the removal of the meeting-house. At 
a town meeting, April 9th, it was voted that "the meeting-house 
stand where it now is." No money was raised that year to 
sustain preaching. For several years the question of removing 
the church from the hill was seriously considered. It was dis- 
cussed throughout the town. Every man had formed an opin- 
ion and was ready to defend it. There was much excitement 
in regard to the matter, and no little bitterness of feeling was 
engendered. The population near the centre of the town had 
increased rapidly, and a rivalry existed between that village and 
the other at the South Road. The Fast Village barely held its 
own. New roads were opened, which gave advantage to the 
westerly section of the town, and the word went out, "The 



136 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

church must be moved." The people in the northwest section 
united with those at the Centre Road and Garland's Hill, with 
a view to secure the location at the latter place. "The Crank" 
saw the advantage which the church would give that locality. 
Both parties were determined. As a result, local differences 
occurred, families were estranged, and the villages were nearly- 
ready to go to war with each other. 

This condition of affairs continued for several years. At 
length, at a town meeting held January 19, 1784, it was voted 
"to set the meeting-house on Capt. John Webster's land, oppo- 
site to Capt. Matthew Pettengill's northwest corner bound of 
his home lot." This was near the site of the present Congre- 
gational church, on the South Road. 

Capt. John Webster offered to donate the land for that pur- 
pose, and on the 25th of April of that year a town meeting was 
called "to see if the town will accept the land and erect a church 
there." Fifty-six voted in the affirmative and twenty-eight in 
the negative. 

December 13th, 1785, it was voted "that all former votes 
concerning the meeting-house be null and void." It was then 
voted to set the meeting-house on Capt. John Webster's land, 
on the north side of "the Crank," so-called, in the place before 
mentioned. 

At an adjourned meeting, December 27th, it was voted "not 
to ratify the vote for setting the meeting-house near ' the Crank ' 
so-called," but it was unanimously "agreed that two places be 
nominated for to set s'd house, the one on Garland Hill, so- 
called, on the Centre Road, the other on the South Road, near 
where the school house lately stood, near Ensign John Web- 
ster's ; and that two men, with two papers, the one for those to 
sign that would have the house on Garland Hill, the other for 
those that would have s'd house on the South Road, near where 
the school house lately stood, each person to sign for the place 
he pleases, and the place that has the most signers for it to be 
considered as the place for the meeting-house." 

"Esquire Matthew Pettengill and Ensign Joseph Fifield were 
chosen to go to the inhabitants with said papers." 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 137 

At an adjourned meeting, January lO, 1786, voted "to accept 
Joseph Bean, Jr., for carrying the papers about town, as Ensign 
Fifield declined." The record says, "said Bean went in his 
stead;" "when, upon counting the signers, it appeared that 
there were 81 signers for the meeting-house to set near the 
South Road, where the school house lately stood, and 46 signers 
for it to set on Garland Hill, so-called, on the Centre Road." 
John Swett, Lt. Robert Smith and Col. Ebenezer Webster were 
chosen a committee "to draw a plan of a house." They reported 
as follows: "That the house be 60 feet long, 44 feet wide, and 
26 foot posts, or thereabout." 

Voted, "to put up the frame of the meeting-house, by way of 
a ta.\ on s'd town." The committee, "to see to the building of 
said frame," consisted of Edward Eastman, Ensign John Web- 
ster, Esq. Joseph Bean, Phinehas Bean, and John C. Gale. It 
was "to be put up as soon as may be convenient, in a work- 
manlike manner." 

August 15th, the town voted "not to sell any pews in the 
meeting-house," and "not to take any method to procure land 
of Capt. Webster to set a meeting-house on." Voted "to hold 
church at private houses instead of on Searle's Hill, 50 votes-in 
the affirmative and 49 against it." A vote was passed to build 
a new house, and a committee was appointed to buy the lumber. 
But September 4th, it was voted "to reconsider and annul all 
former votes relative to setting and building a meeting-house." 

At a meeting held March 31, 1788, voted unanimously "to 
make use of the meeting-house timber as it was provided." 

Voted, "To choose a committee to appoint a place for s'd 
meeting-house." The vote was not carried into effect, no com- 
mittee having been chosen, but at a subsequent meeting, on the 
7th of April, it was voted, "50 for setting the meeting-house on 
Garland Hill and 49 to set it at 'the Crank,' so-called." This 
was the first vote in favor of the Garland Hill people, but they 
were not sufficiently united to build the house. At a meeting 
held October 22d, the town refused "to hold divine service at 
private houses as heretofore." 

No further effort seems to have been made to locate and build 



138 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

on Garland Hill, but it was voted, the people of that section 
favoring, that "the whole of the glass be taken out of the meet- 
ing-house after we have met in it four Sabbaths from this time." 
It was also voted "to have the meetings on Sabbath day, after 
the fourth Sabbath from this, removed for the winter season, 
two-fifths of the time on Centre Road, two-fifths on the east 
and north grant, and one-fifth on the South Road, near where 
they were held last winter." 

July 13th, 1790, it was voted in town meeting "to choose a 
committee to agree what each pew owner shall be allowed for 
his privilege in the old meeting-house." At the same meeting 
the town voted "to sell the old meeting-house at a public ven- 
due and that the interest of what said house shall fetch shall be 
converted to the use of schooling, after the pew-owners have 
been paid what should be allowed to them by s'd committee." 

THE OLD MEETING-HOUSE. 

Diligent inquiry among old residents, and repeated search of 
the records of the town and the church, fail to give any infor- 
mation regarding the sale of the house. It is traditional that 
it was bought by leading citizens on the South Road, taken 
down, and, new timbers being supplied, re-erected a few rods 
southwest of its present location, some time between July 13, 
1790, and the ne.xt ensuing April. From what follows it seems 
this may have been true, and that the purchasers formed a 
society for religious worship, for it is recorded that, "at a town 
meeting held at the meeting-house erected by the society, in 
said town, September i, 1791, it was voted "that the inhabi- 
tants of this town above Blackwater river shall have the liberty 
of what money they pay towards the support of the gospel 
preached out amongst them, at such place as they shall agree 
on, and also be exempted from any cost in the settlement or 
parsonage house." 

ANOTHER MEETING-HOUSE. 

The following is from the records, apparently of the orig- 
inal society: "After hearing the offer of the Society which 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORV. 



139 



built the meeting-house, which was as follows: 'Salisbury, 
August 31, 1791, at a meeting of the Meeting-house Society, 
held at the meeting-house, on Tuesday, the 30th day of August, 
instant. Voted to offer sd house to the town of Salisbury, for 
the town's use, on the following conditions, viz : that all and 
every part of sd house, which is sold and considered as individ- 
ual property, shall remain and continue the property of the 
purchasers, as individual persons or their assigns, and that any 
part of sd house which is appropriated by said Society, shall 
remain and continue for the use for which the same is appro- 
priated by sd Society, and that the undertakers for finishing sd 
house be held bound to finish said house according to their 
obligations to the Committee, and that sd house shall be con- 
sidered and improved, as a place of public worship, for the 
standing congregational order of worshipping christians and for 
the denomination of antipedobaptists, in proportion of time for 
each denomination as follows, viz: four days for antipedobap- 
tists to forty-eight days for the 'standing order,' which is agree- 
able to the original principles and intent of building sd house.' " 
" Sd Society then voted to accept the sd meeting-house for 
the town's use, with the reserves before mentioned to those 
that built the said house, by a majority of 135 for accepting 
and 39 against it." The negative votes are recorded as follows : 



Daniel Brockleli.ink, 
Wm. Kastman, 
Dan. Parker, 
Joseph ]>ean, jr., 
Ananiah Bolionoii, 
Bailey Chase, 
Joseph Severance, 
Henj. P'razier, 
Winthrop Sanborn, 
Abel Elkins, 
Samuel Xorris, 
Nathaniel Bean, 



Moses Ciarland, 
.Samuel Hean, 
Sherburn Filield, 
Abraham Fifield, 
David Pettingill, 
Levi George, 
Knos Challis, 

l?enj. Pettingill, jr. 
Peter Sweatt, 
Joseph Bean, 
Peter I'.a.-itman, 



Wm. Silleway. 
Elijah Wadleigh, 
Edward Fitield, 
Jeremiah Bean, 
Joseph Fifield, jr., 
Abraham .Sanborn, 
Joseph March, 
Ezekiel Ciove, 
Increase I'arnham, 
Reuben True, 
Joseph Fifield, 
Moses Morse. 



The record says 39 negative votes were given, but only 35 
names are registered. Benjamin Woodman and Sinkler Bean 
did not express an opinion, and are so recorded. All these, and 



I40 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



in addition, Samuel Lovering, voted against extending a call to 
the Rev. Thomas Worcester, "to settle in the work of the 
ministry." 

MINISTERIAL TAX-LIST. 

The following list embraces the names of those constituting 
the ministerial tax-list in 1791, with the amounts assessed: 





s. 


d. 




s. 


fl'. 


Thos. Redington, 


2 


4 


Robert Wise, 


I 


4 


Job Heath, 


6 


I 


Stephen Perrin, 


I 


4 


Justice Heneman, 


I 





David Perrin, 


I 





Richard Fellows, 


I 


ID 


Col. Eben'r Webster, 


II 


5 


Moses Fellows, 


4 


10 


Thos. Perrin, 


I 





John Fellows, jr.. 


2 


I 


Benj. Sanborn, 


8 


8 


Charles Collins, 


I 


II 


Abel .Morrii, 


2 


5 


Caleb Cushing, 


I 


8 


Abel Morril, jr.. 


I 





Nehemiah Heath, 


3 


6 


Amos Gilman, 


2 





Shubel Grele, 


9 


I 


Archelas Adams, 


I 


3 


Jeremiah Webster, 


4 


T 


James Osgood, 


I 





John Fellows, 


3 


9 


Moses Page, 


I 





Daniel Fellows, 


'> 


4 


David Webster, 


2 


I 


Joel Eastman, 


5 


9 


Richard Kimbel, 


I 





Dea. John Collins, 


6 


9 


John Bohonon, 


I 


6 


John Collins, jr., 


I 


5 


Azra George, 


I 


4 


Esq. John Webster, 


12 


II 


Benja. Batihler, [Batchelder] 


I 


8 


Stephen Webster, 


9 


6 


Jonathan Fifield, 


12 


8 


Capt. Luke Wilder, 


5 


3 


Thos. Chase, 


I 


3 


Andrew Bowers, 


4 


9 


Baley Chase, 


I 





Jona. C. Pettingill, 


S 


I 


Levi George, 


I 





Leonard Judkins, 


9 


4 


Abel Elkins, 


S 


6 


Benja. Baker, 


6 


3 


Daniel Parker, 


I 


3 


Joseph Bean, jr., 


7 


6 


John Muzzy, 


I 


3 


Adj. John .Sweat, 


4 





Capt. Benja. Pettengill, 


10 


II 


Esq. Joseph Bean, 


17 


II 


.•\mos Pettengill, 


5 


7 


Ens. Andrew Bohonon, 


5 


4 


Ruben True, 


3 


5 


Jeremiah Bean, 


3 


-» 
J 


Benja. Pettengill, jr., 


7 


5 


Willet Petterson, 


3 


3 


Samuel Bean, 


6 


6 


Phinehas Eastman, 


I 





Benja. Wadleigh, 


I 


2 


Edward Eastman, 


12 


4 


Elijah Wadleigh, 


3 


3 


Nath'l Noyes, 


I 


10 


Ens. Abraham Fifield, 


4 


8 


Sam'l Grendlif, [Greenleaf] 


2 


I 


Lt. Annaniah Bohonon, 


3 


10 


Stephen Grendliff, ["] 


6 


2 


John Walker, 


I 





Wd. Sarah Smith, 


'5 


2 


Wm. Siliway, 


I 


2 


Jacob True, 


8 


2 


Wm. Eastman, 


6 


6 


Stephen Cross, 


I 


5 


Enos Challis, 


2 


2 


John Bowers, 


5 





Jeremiah Roberts, 


2 


8 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



141 



David Hall, 
Humphrey Webster, 
Benja. Woodman, 
Sherhurn Fifield, 
Moses Moss, 
Daniel Currer, 
Joseph Marsh, 
Lt. William Calf, 
Esq. Joseph Bartlett, 
Israel Webster, 
Ens. Joshua Talor, 
Eben'r Johnson, 
Robert Barber, 
Peter Barber, 
Thos. Chalice, 
George Halley, 
Sam'l Allen, 
Edward Evans. 
Josiah Evans, 
Daniel Brocklebank, 
Edward Fifield, 
Ens. .Moses Garland, 
Edward West, 
Ephraim Colby, 
Joseph Sweat, 
J'eter Sweat, 
Lt. Joseph Adams, 
Lt. Joseph Fifield, 
Joseph Fifield, jr., 
Capt. David Pettingill, 
Cuting Stevens, 
Joseph Calf, 
Enoch Colby, 
William Severance, 
-Aciuila I'ingry, 
Joseph Lowel, 
Peter Whittemore, 
Joseph Fifield, 
Winthrop Sanborn, 
Wd. Hannah Huntoon, 
James Clay, 
John Page, 
Jal>e/ Morril, 
Mj. Baley Bartlet, 
Lt. Joseph .Severance, 
Moses Silly, 



s. 


d. 




s. 


d. 


I 


10 


Koljert P'owler, 


2 


2 


S 


2 


William Orsbonn, 


I 





4 





Daniel Lowel, 


7 





2 


6 


Daniel Huntoon, jr., 


7 


5 


2 


II 


I'hinehas Huntoon, 


I 


II 


'J 


4 


Nehemiah Lowel, 


I 


5 


I 





Jonathan Huntoon, 


3 


5 


II 


4 


.Sam'l Richardson, 


I 


3 


3 


2 


William Kezer, 


5 


4 


4 


2 


James Lowel, 


6 


2 


2 


4 


Lt. Calel) Judkins, 


2 


7 


3 


2 


I'hilip Blasdel, 


I 


3 


2 





Jacob Garland, 


4 


4 


2 


II 


Wm. Calf, jr., 


4 


7 


2 


7 


Joseph Garland, 


I 


I 


2 


10 


Lt. Samuel Pilsbury, 


4 


10 


2 


4 


William Webster, 


4 


5 


4 


2 


Henj. Eastman, 


2 


2 


I 


3 


Josiah Danforth, 


I 





5 


4 


l'>ben'r Ouimby, 


4 


6 


6 


3 


Abijah Watson, 


2 


I 


5 


7 


Caleb Watson, 


I 


3 


I 


7 


Eben'r Tucker, 


2 


II 


6 


I 


Matthew Greele, 


2 





3 


6 


Nathaniel Meloon, 


6 


7 


3 


2 


Joseph Meloon, 


9 


3 


6 


4 


Jona. Foster, 


2 


3 


7 





John Smith, 


3 


S 


I 





Lt. Phinhas Bean, 


5 


7 


14 


7 


Lt. Sinclear Hean, 


4 


5 


5 


7 


Benaiah Bean, 


3 


9 


6 


4 


Joseph Lufkin, 


I 





I 


5 


Jacob Tucker, 


5 


7 


I 


II 


Richard Green'o, 


2 


5 


3 


5 


Daniel Stevens, 


s 


6 


I 


6 


Isaac Stevens, 


2 


5 


5 


4 


John Hoit, 


s 


8 


3 


-» 


Sam'l Eaton, 


7 


I 


3 


6 


Moses Sawyer, 


6 


2 





7 


Ezra Flanders, 


2 


II 


I 





John F'landers, 


I 





I 





John Chalice, 


2 


7 





7 


Benj. Greele, 


S 


5 






John Gilman, 


4 




7 


10 


Benj. Scribner, 


4 


ID 


6 


6 


Peter Severance, 


5 


2 



142 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 





J-. 


d. 




s. 


d. 


Benj. Howard, 


3 


3 


Lt. James Gale, 


2 


5 


Jabez True, 


1 


5 


.Samuel Norris, 


I 


5 


Peter Eastman, 


I 


4 


John Farnam, 


4 


5 


Nath'l Bean, 


2 


5 


Richard Foster, 


2 


I 


Samuel Elkins, 


3 


6 


Hezekiah Foster, 


4 


2 


Daniel Huntoon, 


2 


3 


John Xorris, 


I 


5 


Ens. Benj. Huntoon, 


9 


5 


Lemuel Norris, 


I 





Lt. John C. Gale, 


IS 


2 


Henj. Danforth, 


I 


2 


Onesiphoras Page, 


2 


I 


Obediah P. Fifield, 


2 


7 


Hubarcl Stevens, 


I 


I 


Joseph Mason, 


2 


9 


Daniel Oilman, 


I 


3 


John Mason, 


I 


8 


Lt. Joseph French, 


•5 


1 1 


Benj. Fifield, 


I 


6 


Benj. Orsgood, 


8 


4 


Levi Eaton, 


2 


I 


James Clay, 


4 


lO 


Jesse Stevens, 


I 


8 


Samuel Scribner, 


6 


8 


Iddo Scribner, 


5 


7 


John Fifield, 


9 


5 


Edward Scribner, jr.. 


4 


2 


Winthrop Fifield, 


I 


4 


Benj. Thomson, 


2 


4 


Richard Greele, 


3 


II 


Richard Cliford, 


3 


I 


Lt. Samuel Judkins, 


6 


4 


Benj. Cliford, 


I 


6 


Samuel Judkins, 


I 


o 


Edward Cliford, 


I 


9 


Andrew Judkins, 


I 


I 


Edward Scribner, 





7 


Jacob Bohonon, 


2 


9 


Lt. Isaac Blasdel, 


2 


6 


Wm. Clay, 


I 


o 


Ens. John Clement, 


6 


I 


Stephen Sawyer, 


6 


I 


Capt. Enoch Chase, 


3 


7 


Edward Sawyer, 


I 


6 


Wm. Chase, 


2 


7 


jNIoses Jemson, 


I 


3 


Samuel Loverin, 


4 


5 


Abel Tendy, 


2 


lO 


Moses Clement, 


I 


ID 


Samuel Tendy, 


I 


4 


Benj. Frasuer, 


I 


3 


Thos. Rundlet, 


2 


4 


John Couch, 


•7 


5 


Dea. John Sanborn, 


^ 


lO 


Benj. Pettingill, ye 3d, 


9 


2 



RECONSTRUCTION OF THE HOUSE. 



There was an unwilling acquiescence in the acts of the major- 
ity. The meeting-house became the property of the town, but 
before it could be occupied it required extensive modifications 
and repairs. Messrs. Wilder and Bowers were employed to 
execute the work, receiving as compensation the right to sell 
pews. The church was 60 by 44 feet, with 26-foot posts, accord- 
ing to a plan previously presented to the town. Its location 
was not many feet southwest of its present site. The church 
was lighted by two tiers of windows. A porch was built at 
each end of the house, and a high tower or steeple above the 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 1 43 

porch on the west end, with a belfry, in which was afterwards 
placed an excellent bell, noted for the remarkable clearness of 
its sound. In favorable weather it could be heard in Concord, 
and in places equally distant to the north. It was cast ex- 
pressly for this church, and contained twenty silver dollars, 
contributed by the Rev. Mr. Worcester, for the purpose of 
improving the quality of its tone. It was proudly claimed by 
the people of the town that this bell "had the right ring to 
it." In each of the porches was a flight of stairs leading to the 
gallery, which extended around on three sides. Entrances to 
the church were by a single door at each end, and a double one 
on the south side. From this main entrance a broad aisle 
extended directly to the pulpit on the north side. A narrow 
aisle, extending east and west from the end doors, intersected 
the main aisle at the centre of the building. There was also 
an aisle passing round between the wall pews and those on the 
center floor. The pulpit was elevated upon a platform ten or 
twelve feet high, being enclosed by panel-work sheathing, and 
was reached by stairs on the west side. When the minister 
passed in and closed the door he was shut out from the sight of 
the people below, until he arose and began the services of the 
day. Above the pulpit, fastened by an iron rod attached to the 
frame timber, was suspended the old-time "sounding board." 
No meeting-house was complete in its furnishings without this 
accompaniment to the pulpit. It was made of wood, somewhat 
bell-shaped, and at the base was eight feet by six, while it was 
about six feet in depth or height. The identical "board," with 
a portion of the old pulpit, is now in the possession of Deacon 
Thomas D. Little. The object of the sounding board was 
to give, as was supposed, intensity to the voice, an erroneous 
supposition which science and experience have united in cor- 
recting. It served however to attract the attention of children, 
who, perched upon high benches and unable to rest their feet 
upon the floor, were unable to comprehend any other part of 
the service. 

In front of the pulpit and near the ascent to it were the 
"deacons' seats," elevated like the wall pews. Mere, in earlier 



144 HISTORY OF SALISBURY, 

times, usually sat the venerable deacons. In the rear, and a 
foot higher, was a square pew which was occupied by the ruling 
elders, when such officers existed in the church. 

All the pews on the floor and in the galleries were square in 
form, sheathed up to a given height on the sides, and continued 
a foot higher by a series of turned ballusters. Each pew was 
furnished with a swinging door. In the days of the fathers, it 
was a mark of reverence for the congregation to rise during 
prayer. To facilitate the act the seats were hung by hinges 
and readily turned back as the people rose, but the slamming 
and confusion which existed at the close of the "long prayer" 
was suggestive of the rattling fire of musketry at a military 
muster. 

LATER MODIFICATIONS. 

The church remained in the condition described until 1835, 
when Stillman Fellows, of Hopkinton, took the contract to 
make changes which have been mainly acceptable to the present 
day. It was moved back from the street, northerly, and turned 
partly round. The posts were cut down, one tier of windows 
removed and larger ones supplied. The pulpit and pews gave 
place to those of modern style, the old sounding board and gal- 
leries were removed, the entrance changed and various other 
modifications made. No expenditures have been made on the 
church, beyond shingling and occasional painting, for nearly a 
half century. It is somewhat antiquated, but serves well for a 
country church. The people would be happy to occupy a better 
edifice, and if the town was as prosperous as it was years ago 
a new church would be one of the very first improvements to 
be made. 




INTERIOR VIEW OF OLD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 



lO 



CHAPTER XI. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, CONTINUED. 

"There, where a few torn shrubs the place disclose, 

The village preacher's modest mansion rose. 

A man he was to all the country dear 

And passing rich, with forty pounds a year ; 

Remote from towns he ran his godly race, 

Nor e'er had changed nor wished to change his place ; 

Unpracticed he to fawn, or seek for power 

By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour: 

Far other aims his heart had learned to prize, 

More bent to raise the wretched than to rise. 

He tried each art, reproved each dull delay. 

Allured to brighter worlds and led the way." 

THE REVEREND JOHN ELLIOT, 

Of this minister very little is known. He was invited to 
settle in the town, January 14, 1771, on certain conditions pro- 
posed by himself, as follows: His "salary to begin at forty 
pounds a year L. M., the first year, and to rise five pounds a year 
till it shall amount to fifty pounds and remain until the expira- 
tion of three years, and then rise five pounds ; to give him 
twenty-five cords of wood yearly and make the parsonage as 
good as it was voted at the last meeting." The town had 
voted at said meeting to finish some portions of the house. 
It was also stipulated that the town should "keep two cows and 
one horse for the use of the minister, until there should be pas- 
turing on the parsonage land." 

April 9, 1771, it was voted "to raise thirteen pounds L. M. 
to lay out on the parsonage this year," and kieut. Pettengill, 
Ebenezer Webster and Moses Garland were chosen a committee 
to see that this sum was expended. 

It was also voted "that the ordination of Mr. Elliot be on 
the third Wednesday of September next," 1771. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. I47 

"Voted to raise five pounds, L. M., to defray ordination 
charges." 

"Voted that the Selectmen make Provision for s'd Ordin- 
ation." 

Preparations were made to ordain Mr. Elliot, and expecta- 
tions were confidently entertained that Salisbury was to have a 
regularly ordained religious teacher ; but between the time of 
his acceptance and the day fixed for his ordination a change 
came over him. Previous to July 4, 1771, Mr. Elliot sent to 
the selectmen the following communication : 

"To the Selectmen of Salisbury : 

You are Desired to put in the following article, viz : to see whether the town 
of Salisbury will give Wt. for Mr. Elliot's Dismission from them, upon his Request 
preferred for that Purpose, and from the Reasons that may be offered by him as the 
cause of sd Request. 

JOHN ELLIOT." 

The following is a copy of Mr. Elliot's request to the town 
for dismission : 

"The reasons in Brief for the request preferred by me for a Dismission from 
Salisbury, viz: 

1st, My present want of Health of Itody in order to carry on my Studies. 2d, 
because of the entire change in my Mind in Respect to my Call to preach or labor 
in sd place among them as their Minister, and because I cannot stay without I am 
forced utterly against my Present Mind, and am not a Volunteer in the Place, and 
as I am Convinced that there is another Place that the Great Governor of the world 
has appointed for my labors. 

Attest, JOHN ELLIOT. 

Salisbury, 8th July, 1771." 

At a legal meeting, holden at the meeting-house in said town, 
July 8, 1 77 1, "Voted Mr. John Elliot's Dismission from the work 
of the Ministry in this Place upon the Request & for the Rea- 
sons there Given in at sd Meeting." 

Mr. Elliot was doubtless an acceptable man, and a good 
preacher, but the wilderness had no smiles for him. He shrank 
from the trials and privations incident to a pioneer life, and as 
the day of his ordination and installation drew near, he began to 
relent and finally became "convinced that it was not the place 
that the Great Governor of the world had appointed for his 



148 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

labor." On the 8th day of July, 1771, the very day of the date 
of his letter, the Great Governer of the world, Mr. Elliot, and 
the people of Salisbury were in perfect accord, and his dismiss- 
ion was granted at once. A settlement was made with him, 
receipts given and recorded, and a release of all rights obtained 
from him as the prospective first settled minister of the town. 

THE REVEREND JONATHAN SEARLE. 

The minister who followed him was a man of different stamp. 
In the summer of 1768 Mr. Jonathan Searle preached in Salis- 
bury, and on the 22d day of that year the town "voted that the 
Committee discourse with Mr, Searle before they apply to any 
other candidate." But he was then teaching in Rowley, Mass., 
his native town, and could not leave. He continued to teach 
in Rowley, and to preach in Salisbury, Chester, N. H., Rowley 
and Ipswich, Mass., and in other places, till 1773, when he gave 
himself unreservedly to the work of the ministry. 

Mr. Searle was born in Rowley, Mass., November 16, 1746, 
and graduated at Harvard College in 1765, being then only 
nineteen years of age. He was a fine scholar and had acquired 
a liberal education at the most eminent university in the land, 
taught several years, and was fitted for the ministry at twenty- 
one years of age. He preached in Salisbury as early as the 
summer of 1768. After a protracted trial he was invited or 
"called" to settle, and a committee consisting of Benjamin 
Sanborn, Ebenezer Webster and Robert Smith was chosen to 
receive Mr. Searle's answer. The following is the beautiful, 
tender and eloquent answer of Mr. Searle, to the call of the 
people of Salisbury to come and settle amongst them : 

Salisbury, October nth, 1773. 

To the Committee : 

Messuers Benjamin Sanborn, Ebenezer Webster & Robert Smith. To be 
Communicated to the Town. 

My fathers & Brethren : I have had a time to consider the solemn & important 
Call you have given me to Spread my Labors in this part of the Gospel Vineyard, 
& have abundant reason to be thankful to Jesus Christ for putting me into His 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, I49 

Honorable Service — & all things considered, I cannot in Duty do otherwise than 
to Accept your Call; though most unworthy & in need of Much Divine Strength to 
answer its Design. By your continued prayers for me, may I obtain Grace of God 
to be faithful & mercy to be successful in winning Souls Savingly unto Christ. May 
we live together as Heirs of Eternal Life here & share in the immortal Glories of 
the Heavenly world which Jesus shall give to all that wait for his appearing. And 
I am obliged to you that in addition to you Calling me to Ministerial Services in 
this Place, you have made Provision for my Comfortable temporal Support, in an 
Honorable way & proportioned by that rule given in the Scriptures for Gathering 
Collections for the Saints. As it is Greatly Self Denying to me to be at such a 
Distance from Relations, since I am but a man of like passions with you, you will 
not be unwilling that I take Opportunity to visit them. Accordingly I make a 
reserve of two Sabbaths Yearly for that purpose, looking upon Myself to be at my 
option on those Days. I take it to be a Charter Grant that I am made an Original 
Proprietor in the Land of this town, by virtue of my Settlement among you in the 
Gospel Ministry, as you have indeed implyed in a vote for Exchanging uf Land 
with me. 

Wishing temporal & Eternal Blessings may be given you & your Children I am 
Your Real friend & Servant in Gospel Bonds, 

JONATHAN SEARLE. 

At a town meeting held October ii, 177 , it was voted "to 
accept Mr. Searle's letter," and Ebenezer Webster, John Col- 
lins and Capt. Matthew Pettengill were chosen a committee to 
call a council. It was voted "to give Mr. Searle fifty pounds L, 
M. for two years, and then rise four pounds L. M. a year till it 
comes to si.xty pounds, and there stand during his labor in the 
work of the ministry in said town ; also twenty-five cords of 
wood at his house yearly." 

It was voted that the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Searle be 
the third Wednesday of November, (the 17th) 1773. 

Voted that "a Committee consisting of Sinkler Bean, Benja- 
min Huntoon and Joseph Fifield see that Mr. Ebenezer Johnson 
make suitable support for the ordination." 

Voted "to raise twenty dollars to defray the ordination ex- 
penses." 

An invitation was extended to the churches and other parties 
in Concord, Sanbornton and Ilopkinton, in N. H., and Rowley 
and Ipswich, Mass., "to form a Council, examine Mr. Searle, 
and if found worthy to ordain him." 

On the morning of the i6th of November, 1773, all the pas- 
tors and delegates of the churches above named convened at 



150 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

the house of Mr. Andrew Pettengill, at the South Road, and 
resolved themselves into an Ecclesiastical Council, and chose 
the Rev. Mr. Walker, of Concord, Moderator. 

Voted " to accept Mr. Jonathan Searle's Declaration and 
Confession of faith as Satisfactory to the Council." 

In order to proceed to the ordination, voted "that the mem- 
bers, who signed the covenant presented, be acknowledged as a 
sister church and treated as such." 

Voted, that Rev. Mr. Chandler give the Solemn Charge. 
" " Rev. Mr. Woodman make the First Prayer. 

" " Rev. Mr. Dana give the Right Hand of Fellowship. 

" " Rev. Mr. Fletcher make the Last Prayer. 

" " Rev. Mr. Jewett preach the Sermon. 

The members who signed the covenant, and were by the 
council constituted a church, are as follows : 

Jonathan Searle, Ebenezer Johnson, John Collins, 

Sinkler Bean, Abel Tandy, Jeremiah Webster, 

Robert Barber, John Sanborn, Benjamin Sanborn. 

Benjamin Huntoon, John Fifield, 

This business having been transacted, in the presence of a 
large assembly of divines and scholars,* the council adjourned 
to the meeting-house on the 17th. The hospitality of the good 
people of the town, during the intervening social hours, was 
greatly enjoyed by the visiting guests, many of whom came 
from Kingston, Sandown and Rowley, Mass., and Warner, 
Hillsborough, JJopkinton, Canterbury, Sanbornton and Con- 
cord, to witness the ceremonies of the occasion and participate 
in the pleasure of ordaining a minister so near the then limits 
of civilization. This was the most northern church in the Prov- 
ince of New Hampshire, on the west side of the Merrimack 
river. The Rev. Joseph Woodman was ordained at Sanbornton, 
November 13th, 1771, but did not preach in the new meeting- 
house till November 21, 1775. These two churches remained 
for several years the most northern in the Province. 

An ordination in those days was an important event, as 
shown by the fact that people attended this at Salisbury, trav- 

*The scholars are supposed to have been candidates studying for the ministry. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. I5I 

elling on horseback from Rowley and Ipswich, Mass., a distance 
of eighty-five miles, fording streams and following paths marked 
by notched (spotted or blazed) trees. Mr. Searle could with 
much truth say, " I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. 
Make straight the way of the Lord." 

The ordination sermon, by the Rev. Mr. Jewett, of Rowley, 
was preached in the meeting-house, as we have seen that it had 
been completed the year before. Besides, no private house 
could hold the assembled multitude. The subject of the 
discourse was, "How the Ministers of the Gospel are to be 
accounted of." The text was from ist Corinthians, Chap. 4, 
verse i, "Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of 
Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." This sermon, 
in accordance with the wishes of the people, was printed, and 
a copy has been preserved in the rooms of the New Hampshire 
Historical Society, at Concord. It was an able discourse, full 
of deep thoughts and telling passages, and carried conviction 
with its utterances. Mr. Searle was commended as the right 
man in the right place, although barely twenty-seven years of 
age, having been ordained the day after he reached that age. 
He was a man of large ability, of fine manners, finished educa- 
tion, with a dignified bearing, and full of strength, energy and 
fortitude. He dared the wilderness to preach the gospel to all 
people. Mr. Walker was then the settled minister in Concord, 
Mr. F"letcher in Hopkinton. Daniel Webster, not then born, 
married the daughter of the latter. Mr. Woodman had been 
settled but a few years in the adjoining town of Sanbornton. 
Mr. Jewett was the settled minister in Rowley, and had been 
the religious instructor of Mr. Searle from his boyhood. Mr. 
Searle was si.x feet tall, of fine proportion, wore a powdered 
wig, deer-skin breeches, long silk stockings, ornamented with 
brilliant silver knee and shoe buckles, with ample surplice 
and gown, a fitting figure for so solemn and imposing an occa- 
sion. 

THK MEETING-HOUSE QUESTION. 

The meeting-house was located on the northerly slope of 
nearly the highest hill in Salisbury, about the centre of the 



152 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

town, and the approaches to it in all directions were steep and 
difficult. As soon as the forests were cleared away, the deep 
drifting snows came on and made the roads almost impassable ; 
and in the course of ten or twelve years a feeling grew up that 
the location of the place of worship should be changed. Searle's 
Hill, unlike the "Hill of Sion," did not yield "a thousand sacred 
sweets" ; and during the latter years of Mr. Searle's ministry 
contention and difficulty arose relative to moving the meet- 
ing-house, as has been seen. The question was earnestly dis- 
cussed, passions were allowed to usurp the place of reason, and 
jealousies grew and multiplied. It was no wonder that, under 
such circumstances, a man of Mr. Searle's ardent temperament 
\ should become disheartened, as he saw the pillars of his church, 
to whom he had held up the merits of the dying Saviour and 
to whom he had broken the bread of life for many years, leav- 
ing him, and the members of his beloved flock, who had so often 
communed together in spirit and in truth, now passing each 
other without a bow or sign of recognition. 

MR. SEARLE A GOOD HUSBANDMAN. 

He was a most excellent husbandman, and made the wilder- 
ness about him blossom as the rose. He procured an orchard 
to be set out in Rowley, grafted with choice fruit, and after a 
few years transplanted it to his home in Salisbury. It grew 
and became the finest orchard within the limits of the town. 
The Rev. Samuel Wood procured scions from Parson Searle's 
orchard, about 1785, with which he grafted one of the most 
valued orchards in Boscawen. There is a picture of two Bell 
pears, painted by Mr. Searle's daughter, Margaret, as they hung 
from the bough in front of her chamber window. This picture 
is now in the possession of her son, Henry P. Rolfe, in Con- 
cord, as is also the bull's-eye watch purchased by his great- 
grandfather, Capt. Jethro Sanborn, of Sandown, in 1765, in 
London, for which he paid fifty Spanish milled dollars. 

DISMISSION DESIRED. 

After a pastorate of nearly twenty years, May 31, 1790, a 
church meeting was called by the pastor to act on the question 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 153 

of his dismission. It was proposed to call a council, and Mr. 
Searle consented to remain until his people could secure a suc- 
cessor, provided it should be done within one year from their 
annual meeting. In his letter asking for dismission he giv^es 
the following reasons: "Want of bodily health sufficient to 
continue a charge requiring so many and varied cares and so 
much labor." Col. Ebenezer Webster, Elder Benjamin Hun- 
toon and Deacon John Collins were chosen a committee for 
this year. 

Mr. Searle wished to be dismissed from his pastorate, first, 
upon gospel principles of love and mutual friendship ; second, 
to continue in the work of the ministry until his successor 
should be employed ; third, that the congregation be freed from 
taxes, that they might be legally called upon to make up to 
him on account of the depreciation in the currency; fourth, the 
parsonage right to be improved by him long enough to remun- 
erate him for clearing up the land, and circumstantial costs. 

The church committee last named, with Benjamin Pettengill, 
Edward Eastman, David Pettengill, Samuel Pillsbury, William 
Webster and Dr. Joseph Bartlett were chosen a committee to 
settle with Mr. Searle. 

The most Important articles in the settlement were, that Mr. 
Searle should quietly and peaceably enjoy the minister's right, 
reserved in the charter by the grantees of said town, for the 
first settled minister and his heirs forever; the parsonage land 
to be improved by the minister, his heirs and assigns, until the 
close of the year 1791, he to be free from ministerial work, 
August 15, 1790. 

A council was held November 8, 1791, and Mr. Searle's dis- 
mission granted. 

Voted "unanimously to recommend the Rev. Mr. Searle to 
the fellowship of all the churches, and also to the work of the 
gospel ministry, should he incline, wherever God in his provi- 
dence may call him." 

HIS LATER LIFE AND DEATH. 

He continued to live on the parsonage and finally owned it 
at the time of his death. In consideration of his services as a 



154 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



minister of the gospel there was sold to him a lot of land, near 
what is now Franklin village, to be free from taxes to him and 
his heirs for nine hundred and ninety-nine years. This lot of 
land came by inheritance to his daughter Margaret, Mrs. Ben- 
jamin Rolfe. It was not taxed till 1835, when it was ascer- 
tained that as a matter of law no land could be granted free 
from taxes. 

The following members united with the church under Mr. 
Searle's pastorate : 



Moses Silley, 
Ebenezer Webster, 
Simeon Wadleigh, Sr., 
Hannah Rogers, 
Nathaniel Meloon, 
Delia Wadleigh, 
IMirriam Greeley, 
Elisabeth Pillsbury, 
Anna Fifield, 
Benja. Haywood. 
Richard Foster, 



Ruth 

Hannah Greeley, 
Elisabeth Sanborn, 
Jonathan Huntoon, 
Mirriam Collins, 
Susannah Webster, 
Sarah Collins, 
Sarah Smith, 
Anna Webster, 
Anna Stevens, 
Abigail Sillaway, 



Sarah Huntoon, 
Molly Eastman, 
Anna Eastman, 
Mary Huntoon, 
Rachel Tandy, 
Elisabeth Whittemore, 
Abigail Webster, 
Mary Fellows, 
Elisabeth Silley, 
Rachel Greeley, 
Ruth Webster. 



After his dismissal, Mr. Searle preached occasionally, but 
devoted himself mainly to the improvement of his farm and the 
support of his large family. His church, wherein he had been 
ordained with so much solemn and imposing ceremony nearly 
a score of years before, had been taken down and converted 
into a new one at the South Road. The sacred desk was no 
longer supplied by him, his mind gradually became unsettled, 
and he finally began to show unmistakable signs of insanity. 
He wandered about among his former church members and 
parishioners, with his habitual dignified bearing, being perfectly 
harmless. It is recorded of him that "he lost his christian 
standing through intemperance," but he did not indulge in 
stimulants till long after his mind became seriously impaired. 
He continued to fade away until December 2, 18 18, when his 
weary spirit took its departure from its worn-out tenement, and 
the manly form of the christian minister was laid away in the 
silent home at Shaw's Corner, there to sleep till the bright 
morning of the resurrection. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 155 

A PLEASANT REMINISCENCE. 

The following is from the pen of the late Gen. Walter Harri- 
man, who gave much examination to the early history of the 
town of Salisbury, and no little research into the character of 
its inhabitants, he having been a native and a long time resident 
of the adjoining town of Warner. 

A DAY WITH THE WEBSTERS.* 

One bright morning in .August, 1875, we ( Mrs. H. and myself) took a suitable 
team at Concord, with one day's rations, and, in, light marching order, set off for 
Elms Karm, Shaw's Corner and Searle Hill. We desired more light on a few points 
in reference to the early life of Daniel Webster. .'\t ISoscawen Plains, that ancient 
village, with its broad street, shaded houses and "magnificent distances," we made 
our first halt. A venerable lady of intelligence and culture gave us the information 
we there sought. She /v/c^i' Daniel Webster and hi.s brother Ezekiel. She related 
interesting anecdotes concerning their life in Boscawen, and pointed out, the exact 
spot where, in 1805, Daniel Webster opened his first law olilice, and commenced 
(as he used to e.xpress it) "making writs." He occupied this office but two years, 
when he gave it up to Ezekiel, and went to Portsmouth. This office, at the Plains, 
was a small building attached to a dwelling house, just above the ancient cemetery, 
and on the same side of the street, but it was removed from this place many years 
ago, and the ground on which it stood is now a shaded lawn. 

Some of the readers of this periodical will remember how the country was 
shocked by the sudden termination of the life of Kzekiel Webster. On the loth 
day of April, 1829, while arguing a case in the Court-IFouse at Concord, he fell life- 
less to the floor. 

Having visited the ancient cemetery at Boscawen, and particularly noticed the 
incriptions on the tombstones of Ezekiel Webster and his first wife, we proceeded 
on our journey. We soon passed the county buildings (and the magnificent farm 
connected therewith) which overlook the charming valley of the Merrimack, and 
came to Stirrup-Iron l^rook, which comes down from Salisbury, passes under the 
Northern Railroad and falls into the river. This brook takes its name from the 
circumstances, that, sometime after the independence of the colonies was acknowl- 
edged, Gen. Dearborn, of Revolutionary fame, while going, on horseback, to visit a 
sister at Andover, in fording this stream, which was then at a high stage of water, 
lost one of his stirrup-irons. 

We cross the railroad and are soon looking both to the right and left upon the 
broad, smooth acres of the Elms Farm (now the Orphans' Home). To this place 
Daniel Webster was brought, with the family, when he was about one year of age, 
and around this sacred spot clustered all his early recollections. I le owned this farm, 
after his father's decease, and made annual pilgrimages to it till the year he died. 
Here was the theatre of his early sports and jovs, as well as trials and disappoint- 
ments. Here his school days began: from here he went to Philijis .\cadcmy at 

•Granite Monlhly. Mjy, 1880. 



156 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Exeter for a term of six months, when fourteen years of age ; from here he went to 
Boscawen Plains, under the instruction of Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D., to prepare for 
college, in the spring of 1797; from here he went to Dartmouth, and when he 
graduated, with distinction, in 1801, it was right here where he entered the law 
ofifice of Thomas W. Thompson, as a student of Blackstone. 

This Thompson first opened an office at Salisbuary South Road, but after 
remaining there a year he came down to the river road, where his office was nearly 
opposite the Webster House. This office was removed many years ago and made 
the ell of a house standing on the hill towards Shaw's Corner. Thompson finally 
went to Concord, and after a life of industry and success, having filled the chair of 
Speaker of our House of Representatives in June, 1S13, and served as Senator in 
the Congress of the United States from June, 1S14, to March, 1S17 (to fill a 
vacancy), he died and was buried in Concord. 

With reverent step we entered the Webster cemetery at the Elms Farm; saw 
where Captain Ebenezer Webster and his wife, Abigail, (the parents of Daniel) as 
well as many others of his kindred, were laid to rest, and we felt that this was the 
proper place for the dust of the great expounder to sleep instead of being secreted 
off in that lonely pasture at Marshfield. We felt, too, that Webster made a mis- 
take in cultivating the barren slopes of Green Harbor and making a home there, 
when the Elms Farm presented opportunities so much better. We visited the 
celebrated oak tree on which fas tradition has it) Daniel hung his scythe after fail- 
mg to make it suit him, hung in any other way. But the tree was then dead on the 
mow-field. Time had laid it low, as it had him who had often basked in its shade. 

Writing of this place toward the close of his life, in a letter to a friend, Webster 
says : " Looking out at the east windows, with a beautiful sun just breaking out, 
my eye sweeps along a level field of 100 acres. At the end of it, a third of a mile 
off, I see plain marble gravestones, designating the places where repose my father 
and mother, and brothers, and sisters, Mahitable, Abigail and Sarah — good scrip- 
ture names, inherited from their Puritan ancestors. This fair field is before me. I 
• could see a lamb on my part of it. I have ploughed it, raked it, but I never mowed 
it ; somehotv I could never learn to hang a scythe. My brother Joseph used to say 
that my father sent me to college in order to make me equal to the rest of the 
children." 

We crossed the mouth of Punch Brook, just above the Elms Farm, and, turning 
immediately to the left, proceeded on up the old road running to Shaw's Corner. 
About half way up, and near where the road crosses the brook, we find the founda- 
tions of a saw-mill which Capt. Webster owned when Daniel was a lad. From 
letters of the latter we learn, that, while at work with his father in this mill, while 
listening to the roar of the water-fall and gazing on the mountains and forests in 
their grandeur, Daniel Webster had his first visions of future eminence, or of the 
possibility of it. Here, to this youth, there were "sermons in stones, tongues in 
trees, and books in the running brooks." 

A half a mile or more to the northward of Shaw's Corner, on a road leading to 
East Andover, and on the charmed banks of Punch ]irook, where the birds sing 
sweetly in May, is the birthplace oi Daniel Webster. Here Judge Webster, coming 
up from Kingston, .selected his farm in the wilderness. It was average land for 
tillage and pasture, and was quite valuable on account of its pine timber, but by 
years of neglect and waste the farm has become very ordinary. The old log cabin 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. I 57 

was demolished before D'aniel's birth, but the spot where it stood is still visible, 
as well as the foundations of the grist-mill which Capt. Webster erected on Punch 
Brook. The well and the historic elm are there, and a part of the little frame house 
in which Daniel Webster was born is there, constituting the ell of the present two- 
story house standing on the premises. The room in which Daniel was born is there, 
precisely as it was Jan. i8, 1782, excepting that now there are two windows in 
front, whereas, at the former period, there was but one. Of all these facts we satis- 
fied ourselves after patient and thorough investigation. 

We now began our toilsome ascent. The sun having passed an hour beyond its 
high meridian, and our experiences for the day having been not totally unlike those 
of him of the olden time, who, " in weariness, in watchings often, in hunger and 
thirst, in fastings," jjursued his high calling, we halted and went into bivouac. On 
the eastern slope of .Searle Mountain, under the shade of a large mck-maple which 
stood by the side of a sparkling rivulet, we supplied our wants. A fire was kindled, 
— the coffee-pot and frying-pan were taken from the carriage, and "salt-hoss and 
hard-tack" (the soldier's fare) made the foundation of our meal. Old " Ximrod," 
the faithful animal who had been ridden in the army, was not forgotten, but was 
led "into green pastures," and had set before him his coveted "gallon of shoe pegs" 
which had been brought along for the occasion. 

The summit of Searle Hill (more commonly known, perhaps, as Meeting-house 
Hill ) was now our objective point. It is a mile west of Shaw's Corner, on an old 
road leading to Salisbury Centre. The ascent of this hill, especially from the east, 
is attended with much labor. The hill is both long and steep — very steep, even for 
the mountainous regions of New Hampshire. The road is rough, and is now 
entirely abandoned as a public highway. Giving the horse his head, we toiled up 
this mountain as pedestrians. Half way up from Shaw's Corner, on the right hand 
side of the road, is seen an old cellar and all the foundations of extensive farm, 
buildings. But the voices which rang on that mountain side are hushed. It was 
William Webster, a brother to Capt. Ebenezer, who settled on this spot. Here, in 
his early manhood, he came and selected his home. Here he raised his large family, 
lived a life of usefulness and died. But this deserted place is further made 
memorable by the fact that Daniel Webster, after leaving Exeter .\cademy in the 
spring of 1797, and before commencing with Rev. Mr. Wood at Boscawen Plains, 
taught a private school for a few weeks, on this side-hill, occupying for his school- 
house a room here in his Uncle William's dwelling-house. Daniel had a fine class 
of girls and boys, and his brief charge here, it is said, was pleasant and bewitching. 
This was 

" In life's morning m.irch, when his bosom w.is yojng." 

On the top of Searle Hill, on the left hand side of the road as we are travelling, 
stood the first church edifice erected in Salisbury. // could not be hid. It was a 
large two-story building, without a steeple, with but little inside finish, and with a 
pulpit at a dizzy height. Think of bleak December, — the cold blasts sweeping 
down these old mountains, the roads blocked full in every direction, — no fire in the 
church, but two long sermons, reaching up to sixteenlhly, every Sunday. It's 
enough to make a saint shudder! 

Jonathan .Searle, the first occupant of this pulpit, commenced his labors here 
before the Revolution, viz., in 1773, and closed them, after iS years of faithful 



158 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

service, in 1791. He was a graduate of Harvard, — a man of large ability and of lofty 
and dignified bearing. He was also a man of fine personal appearance. He wore a 
tri-cornered cocked hat, powdered wig, ornamented knee and shoe buckles, with the 
most ample surplice and gown. All the Websters worshipped in his congregation. 
Young Daniel was baptised here, by the Rev. Mr. Searle, in the summer of 1782. 
The day was pleasant and warm, but on that mountain top there was a strong 
breeze. After the ceremony of baptism, as the Webster family were leaving the 
church, a Mrs. Clay, who no doubt was an excellent lady though a little intrusive, 
made herself quite conspicuous. She had on a new bonnet, and a large one, — it 
was large for the fashion, and fashion at that time justified one simply immense. 
This bonnet was liberally decked with flowers, feathers and ribbons, and taking it 
all in all was well calculated to make a sensation on Searle Hill. This good 
woman pushed her way into the aisle, congratulated the minister on the felicity of 
his performance, congratulated Captain Webster and his wife on the auspicious 
event, patted little Daniel lovingly on the cheek, and chiefly cut off the view of the 
rest of the congregation. Just as she was leaving the vestibule of the church, a 
sudden flaw of wind struck her ponderous bonnet, snapped the slender thread that 
fastened it under her chin, and like riches that noted bonnet " took to itself wings." 
This woman called lustily on the dignified Searle, who was nearest to it, to seize 
the fugitive article of head-adornment ; and Searle was willing, but it would be un- 
ministerial for him to run. She called again — "Do, Reverend sir, catch my bon- 
net; it will be ruined!" He quickened his pace a little, but still preserved a 
measured and dignified tread. The distance between pursued and pursuer began 
rapidly to widen, when good Mrs. Clay, becoming frantic and unguarded, sang out, 
" Searle, yoic devil you, why don't you run !" The reverend gentleman did then 
accelerate his motion, and overtaking that indispensable article of head-gear, bore 
it in triumph to its distracted owner. 

A grandson of this reverend ambassador for Christ is one of the prominent and 
solid lawyers of Concord, and it is said that in personal appearance and in many 
characteristics of mind he bears a striking resemblance to his worthy ancestor. 

The venerable sanctuary, which the winds and rains of heaven beat upon in the 
last century, has been gone a great many years, and on the old mountain, which was 
once the abode of numerous and thrify families, silence now reigns undisturbed. 
Still the distant view from the summit is as varied and grand as in the days of 
Daniel Webster's infancy ; still the eye takes a broad reach over mountain, mead 
and vale, embracing no insignificant fraction of 

" This universal frame — thus wondrous fair." 

Coming on down to the South Road, where stands the chief village of Salisbury, 
we were fortunate in finding a Mrs. Eastman, a native of that town, and a very 
intelligent old lady, who was pleased to favor us with items of much interest, and 
who pointed out the very house J now in a good state of preservation) in which 
''Daniel Webster, Esq., of Portsmouth, and Miss Grace Fletcher, of Salisbury," 
were married, in June, 1808. 

Night approaching, and the object of our short trip having been more than 
realized, we struck a bee-line for Concord. 



ECCLESIASTICAI. HISTORY. I59 

THE REV. THOMAS WORCESTER. 

This eminent divine was a son of Noah and Lydia (Taylor) 
Worcester, and was born November 22, 1768. He had four 
brothers, three of whom were ministers, viz : the Rev. Noah 
Worcester, D. D., of ]kii;hton, Mass. ; the Rev. Leonard Wor- 
cester, M. A., of Peacham, Vt., and the Rev. Samuel Worcester, 
D. D., of Salem, Mass. They were all distinguished as orators 
and writers for the religious press. The other brother, Jesse, 
was the father of Joseph K. Worcester, author of Worcester's 
Dictionary and other valuable works. Mr. Thomas Worcester 
was a self-educated man, and had studied for the ministry with 
the Rev. Daniel Emerson, at Hollis. In April, 1791, he was 
employed three months upon trial, and in the following Sep- 
tember was invited to settle in Salisbury. Col. Ebenezer Web- 
ster, Dea. John Collins, Elder B. Huntoon, Edward Eastman 
and John Sweatt were chosen a committee to hire Mr. Worcester 
and make suitable arrangements for his ordination. A town 
meeting was held Septemder i, 1791, when it was voted "to 
give him one hundred and twenty pounds as a settlement, one 
half to be paid in nine months and the residue in eighteen 
months. Also eighty pounds yearly as long as he should con- 
tinue." This was quite a salary at that time for a young man 
only twenty-three years of age. His letter of acceptance bears 
date October 16, 1791, and is as follows: 

Brethren and Frirnds: 

I call myself under obligations of gratitude to you as a church and people, for 
the respectful treatment I have received from you, since God in his providence 
called me to preach in this place; more particularly for the respect you have shown 
me in calling me to settle in the work of the Gospel ministry among you. Since I 
have been among you, I think I have endeavored carefully to attend to the various 
occurrences of divine I'rovidence that I might learn my duty: and since I received 
your invitation to continue with you, and take the charge of you as your Pastor, I 
think I have carefully and prayerfully attended to the matter that I might be led to 
a wise determination ; and after repairing to the Throne of CIrace, and looking to 
the Great Head of the Church, for directive and deliberate consideration of the 
matter, I have been led to conclude that it is my duty to comply with your request. 
I therefore now accept your invitation and consent to stay among you according to 
your proposals. But my friends you will remember that I am young, that I am but 
a man, and that the work which I have undertaken is great and attended with many 



l60 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

difficulties. My youth and the disadvantages under which I labor respecting my 
acquirements of human Cuning loudly call for your candour and your prayers. I 
trust you will make all reasonable allowances for me; that you will cover my fail- 
ings with a mantle of love, so far as it is consistent with the rules of the Gospel ; 
and that you will afford your endeavors to strengthen my hands and keep me under 
advantages to be wholly devoted to the arduous work into which I am called so 
long as God shall continue me among you; and may God for Christ's .Sake grant 
that the present apparent union of this Church and Congregration, may be 
strengthened and continued, — may He cause the Gospel to be understandingly and 
faithfully preached, and to become a Savior of life into life to the Souls of many. 
May He build up his Church and Kingdom in this place, and may He give us all a 
spirit of wisdom, of meekness, of watchfulness, of faithfulness and of brotherly love, 
that we may be truly a religious people, zealous of good works: — that this may be 
a city set on a hill, the light of which shall shine all round; — that we may glorify 
God and dwell together like brethren in unity. 

N. B. I desire liberty to leave you destitute as to my supplying you with 
preaching two Sabbaths in a year, when occasion shall call for it. 

THOMAS WORCESTER. 
Salisbury, October i6, 1791. 

He was ordained November 9th, by the same council which 
had dismissed Mr. Searle on the day previous. On this day the 
council had assembled preparatory to the ordination, when some 
hesitation arose among the ministers of the council, on account 
of Mr. Worcester's youthful appearance, and limited opportuni- 
ties for an education, or because he had not received a collegiate 
education. The people without became impatient at the delay 
and demanded that the ordination should proceed. As Judge 
Webster was chairman of the committee who hired Mr. Wor- 
cester, he was requested to wait upon the council and inquire 
into the cause of the delay. He appeared before them, heard 
their statements, and arose and addressed them in an earnest, 
direct and impressive manner. "Gentlemen," said he, "the 
ordination must come off iiozv, and if you cannot assent we 
must try and get along without you. The point under discus- 
sion must be postponed to some other day." The council 
acquiesced, and the ordination proceeded without further delay. 

Two months before this the town had voted to accept a church 
which had been erected at the South Road, but which had not 
been finished upon the inside. 

"The congregation which attended upon his preaching was 
for many years very large. He was a faithful and laborious 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. l6l 

pastor, and his pulpit addresses were attractive, earnest and 
direct. All were interested, many deeply moved. During his 
ministry there were several seasons of the special outpouring of 
the Holy Spirit. An extensive revival of religion occurred 
soon after his settlement, and over eighty were received into 
the church." Probably the most enjoyable occasion of the 
kind which ever took place in this church was in December, 
1792. As a result of the last-mentioned revival, thirty young 
converts made public profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus 
Christ. His brother, Samuel Worcester, united with the church 
February 13, 1793. William Webster, uncle to Daniel, united 
with the church September 8, 1796, and Daniel Webster him- 
self September 13, 1807. Seven years after this Mr. Webster 
wrote out his own "creed or profession of faith," and subse- 
quently left it with his father. It will be found in his biog- 
raphy. 

Another special revival occurred about 1815, when more than 
sixty persons made public profession of their faith. 

Under his pastorate 268 united with the church ; he adminis- 
tered the sacrament of baptism to 322 children, solemnized 307 
marriages, and attended 25 ecclesiastical councils. 

In the year 1791 there was some difficulty about collecting 
the funds for the support of preaching, and it was voted " to 
assess the inhabitants of the town for the minister's salary, 
and to ring the bell on Sabbath days, and on all public days, as 
is usual." 

For some time previous to Mr. Worcester's dismissal from 
the church he had departed from the strict orthodox faith, in 
regard to the deity of Christ. He was originally led to this 
departure, no doubt, by the influence of his older brother, Dr. 
Noah Worcester, who resided in Salisbury from 1800 to 1813, 
while publishing his "Bible News" and other controversial 
writings on the subject of the Trinity. There is no clear indi- 
cation of the change in the Rev. Thomas Worcester's views till 
the year 181 3. 

The church creed had been made a little more liberal than 
formerly, although "considered a Congregational church and 
I I 



l62 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

treated as such by sister churches." The alteration however 
was made by Mr. Worcester himself, as he had left on record, 
upon his own individual responsibility. Mr. Worcester was at 
length charged with preaching other views than orthodox Con- 
gregationalism, and out of that charge, and the facts on which it 
rested, grew dissatisfaction, embarrassment, and dissentions, 
which eventually did the church much harm. 

A mutual council was finally called, April 23, 1823, consisting 
of the following pastors and delegates : From the West Parish 
church in Londonderry, Rev. Daniel Dana, D. D., pastor, Dea. 
Wm. Anderson, delegate ; from the church in East Londonderry 
Rev. Edward L. Parker, pastor. Elder Samuel Burnham, dele- 
gate ; from the church in Lyme, Rev. Baxter Perry, pastor. Rev. 
Nathaniel Lambert, delegate; from the church in Hopkinton, 
Rev. Roger C. Hatch, pastor, brother David Greeley, delegate. 

This council was charged with the duty of considering the 
circumstances, and advising in respect to Mr. Worcester's dis- 
mission. It met at the house of Andrew Bowers, Esq., and 
Rev, Daniel Dana, D. D., was chosen moderator, and Rev. R. 
C. Hatch, scribe. 

The council say that after a careful and impartial investiga- 
tion of all the charges against Mr. Worcester, "we are happy 
to find that no specific charges are preferred against him seri- 
ously affecting his moral and christian character," and "to his 
assiduity and tenderness as a pastor we give our united sanction, 
and we rejoice in that signal blessing with which it has pleased 
a Sovereign God to crown his labors in years that are past." 
The council however add that "they are constrained to confess 
that in the course of his proceedings of recent date there occur 
some deviations from strict consistency and propriety," which 
"they are inclined to ascribe, in a considerable degree, to mis- 
taken views, to bodily infirmities, and to the agitation and 
distress of mind excited by the thought of separation from a 
beloved people." 

His dismissal was occasioned by his doctrinal position and 
teachings. His one "dereliction," as the council declared, was 
concerning "the doctrine of the proper deity of Jesus Christ," 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. I63 

and was "not in this case accompanied, as it usually is, with an 
abandonment of other distinguishing and glorious doctrines of 
the gospel." His "creed" shows however some difficulty on 
the subject of the Holy Spirit. On the character of Christ he 
would seem to be what is called a high Arian. 

He remained in Salisbury, and December 12th, 1831, was 
received back into the church and died in full communion; but 
from some of his last letters and verbal communications it is 
clear that he did not relinquish his Unitarian views. Just 
before his death he said, "I have not changed my views; they 
are unshaken, and are growing stronger the more I search the 
scriptures." 

In 1806 he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts 
from Dartmouth College. He was a natural orator and the 
fame of his eloquence extended far and wide. He was emphat- 
ically the Channing of New Hampshire. He was also a man of 
sterling integrity, and of extended knowledge of the Bible, of 
history, and of human nature. He was a good writer, charitable 
in his views and liberal with his purse. 

March 11, 1792, he married Miss Deborah Lee, of Manches- 
ter, Mass. He occupied the house now owned by D. J. Calef. 
No children blessed their union, but they adopted a number of 
children, giving them a good education, and providing them 
with this world's goods as far as they were able. He died 
December 24, 1831, aged 6t, years. 

The whole difference between Mr. Worcester and the church 
arose from his views of the Trinity. These views he wrote out 
but they were never published. They are herewith published, 
and will be found to show much thought and close reasoning. 
We record them as the best exposition of his faith. 

AN ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT. 

Following is a copy of the title-page of a school book, by the 
Rev. Thomas Worcester, taken from the original in Mr. Wor- 
cester's handwriting. The document has fifty-four chapters, 
and is without date : 



164 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

THE RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTOR 

OR 

SACRED SCHOOL ROOK, 

Giving a Connected Viezv of the Most Interesting Things 
in the Bible. 

BY THOMAS WORCESTER, A. M., 

Pastor of a Church in Salisbury. 

"This is the wisdom which speaks of hearts." 

An honest statement to correct the great misrepresentations of Deacons, 
Lawyers and others concerning my sentiments. 

CREED OF THOMAS WORCESTER. 

[As copied from the manuscript in his own hand writing.] 

In regard to the divinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; I verily believe all 
that I understand "Trinitarians" in general to have believed, except the propriety 
of using some words and forms which they have used. 

I believe there are three which bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and 
the Holy Ghost; that "God has given us eternal life," and "that this life is in his 
Son," but also of one divine nature; one likewise in the creation and the govern- 
ment of the Universe, and especially one in the great work of our salvation. 

In regard to the divinity of Christ, I certainly deny nothing which Trinitarians 
in general have believed ; so far as I have knowledge I do verily believe that Christ 
is God, in a very high sense; God — "who was in the beginning with God," and 
"without whom there was not anything made;" God — whose father has anointed 
him to an everlasting throne; God "over all, b!e.ssed forever," in that "all power is 
given unto him in Heaven and in earth," and in that he is " made head over all 
things in the Church ;" " the first and the last," as he is in the Father and the 
Father in him, as he is the "author and the finisher of our faith," as "all things 
were made by him and for him," and as his, one in divine nature, oite in divine full, 
ness, 07ie in divine purpose, one in divine work, and one in divine glory with the 
Father. 

As to the dependence of the Son on the Father, I believe exactly as I under- 
stand the greatest and best of Trinitariati writers. I believe, in idea, that the Son 
is, as we are, without power or sufficiency in himself, for "it has pleased the Father 
that in him should all fullness dwell." Divine fullness so perpetually and 
unavoidably dwells in Christ, that he is ever "mighty to save," mighty to do any- 
thing and everything which the good of his kingdom requires. Trinitarians believe. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. l6$ 

that, in some high sense, the Father is greater than the Son, and so do /, exactly as 
it is expressed by the great and good I )r. Owen, who, using the words of our Savior, 
says, "The Kather hath life in himself, and he giveth unto the Son to have life in 
himself," by communicating unto him his "sustenance." And, as another great 
divine says, "What the Kather is he is from none, — what the Son is, he [is] 
from the Father." The Son receives his being and his power from another, other- 
wise, it could not be said " there are not more (iods than One." At the same time, 
I believe, as Trinitarians do, that there is a high sense in which the Son is equal 
with the Father. He is equal in power and glory, for "in him dwells all the full- 
ness of the C'lodhcad." 

Likewise, I believe, as I understand Trinitarians in general to have believed, in 
the Holy Spirit. So far as I have knowledge, they have generally believed, that 
the "Spirit was not 2i person, in the same sense that a man or an angel is a person," 
and many, if not the most, of great and good Trinitarians have supposed the "Spirit 
to be divine po7uer or divine jrooiiness, or a holy divine cners^y, in many instances 
personified, and particularly in the great work of regeneration and sanctification." 
And such is my own view of this matter. 

Thus do I, with all the understanding I have, believe in the Father, Son and Holy 
Spirit. And so, I trust, with all my heart, unite in the worship with the heavenly 
millions, who give glory to (Jod and to the Lamb who was slain. 

THOMAS WORCESTER. 
Salisbury, April 31st, 1S14. 

THE REV. ABIJAH CROSS. 

Mr. Cross was settled over the church, December 23d, 1S23, 
and on the 9th of May following the church adopted new or 
revised "articles of faith and covenant," agreeably to the ortho- 
do.x creed. 

At the time of Mr. Cross's settlement there were one hundred 
and eleven resident members. Also thirty-nine non-resident, 
making at the time of Mr. Worcester's dismission a total num- 
ber of one hundred and fifty. Of this number twenty-three 
absented themselves on the adoption of revised articles of faith. 
Under Mr. Cross's pastorate there were added to the church 
seventeen members, and nine were dismissed. He adminis- 
tered the sacrament of baptism to fifteen. His dismissal was 
April I, 1S29. 

During his ministry an effort was made by Rev. Benjamin 
Huntoon, a Unitarian clcrgynvan, to organize a Unitarian Socie- 
ty in town, but not finding a very large congregation of this 
faith, and only five persons to organize into a church, and no 
proper place being found to hold religious worship, he con- 
tinued in town but one year. 



l66 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

THE REV. ANDREW RANKIN. 

Mr. Rankin was settled over the church July ii, 1830, and 
was dismissed in October, 1832. During his pastorate seven- 
teen were added to the church by profession, eleven by letter, 
and about twenty were converted by his preaching. 

Mr. Rankin was a son of Andrew Rankin, who came with his 
father, John Rankin, from Glasgow, Scotland. They landed at 
Salem, Mass., Boston harbor at that time being blockaded. 
They eventually settled at Littleton, Mass., where Rev. Andrew 
was born, November i, 1795. He died at Danbury, October 
22, 1862. He married Lois, daughter of Jeremiah Eames, of 
East Stewartstown, by whom he had six children, Lucy, (Albee) 
Cambridgeport, Mass. ; Rev. Jeremiah E., of Washington, D. C; 
Andrew E., of St. Johnsbury, Vt. ; Lois A., of Boston, Mass., 
and Caroline L. (Bartlett,) of Jacksonville, 111. 

Mr. Rankin was a scholarly man, possessed of much energy, 
was an able and attractive preacher, and thoroughly devoted to 
his calling. He espoused the temperance cause with great 
zeal, and was one of the pioneers of that reform in the State. 

It required no little fortitude at that time for the minister to 
step out from amongst the " wine bibbers " who were mem- 
bers of the church, and demand total abstinence from every- 
thing which could intoxicate. But he did not fail to declare to 
them that "Wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging, and 
whosover is deceived thereby is not wise," and that "at last 
it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder." "A drunk- 
ard cannot inherit the Kingdom of God," was his frequent 
admonition. He was a fearless and faithful servant of the 
Most High, — and laid up his treasures where moth and rust 
could not corrupt them. Of his six children two are now liv- 
ing: Rev. Jeremiah E., of Washington, D. C, and Lucy, (Albee) 
of Cambrigeport, Mass. 

THE REV. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FOSTER. 

He was a son of Richard and Esther (Jewell) Foster, and 
grandson of Hezekiah Foster, an early settler in Salisbury, and 
was born June 16, 1803. During his pastorate he resided in 



PXCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 167 

the house now occupied by P. A. Fellows, which was then the 
parsonage. Mr. Foster was settled Nov. 13, 1833, and continued 
his charge thirteen years, being dismissed by mutual council July 
23, 1846. He was a good minister, esteemed by his parishion- 
ers, and respected as a citizen, pastor and friend. Eighty mem- 
bers were admitted to the church during his ministry in Salis- 
bury, forty by profession of faith, and forty by letter. Several 
seasons of religious awakening occurred during his ministry, the 
most marked being in the winter of 1842-43. For several 
years he taught the Academy in Salisbury, and his memory is 
fondly cherished by all who came under his instruction. 

November 7, 1S46, a call was extended to the Rev. Moses 
Kimball which was not accepted. 

THE REV. E. H. CASWELL 

Succeeded Mr. Foster, June 28, 1848, and was dismissed by 
mutual council the following February. Four were admitted 
to the church by profession, and one by letter, during his brief 
labors in the ministry. While at Salisbury Mr. Caswell mar- 
ried Miss Sarah J., youngest daughter of Dea. William Parsons, 
a fine scholar and accomplished lady. Mr. Caswell did not 
possess very firm health, and died young, leaving one son, who 
resides with his mother in Boston. Mr. Caswell occupied the 
Congregational pulpit in Hooksett for a time, and is pleasantly 
remembered by his parishioners in whatever field he was called 
to labor. 

THE REV. ERASMUS D. ELDRIDGE 

Was settled as pastor, January 12, 1849, ^^ ^ salary of S400 
and the use of the parsonage, and was dismissed November i, 
1854, on account of failing health. During his ministry twenty- 
six were received into the church. Mr. P^ldridgc's health fail- 
ing him, and being of a tubercular predisposition, he was often 
obliged to seek a milder climate than Salisbury afforded. The 
labors of Mr. Eldridge were very useful in the church and very 
acceptable to the people. He was a high-toned gentleman and 
felt the responsibility of his high calling. Nature had endowed 
him with an even temper and a gentle spirit, combined with the 



l68 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

buoyancy of hope, and he was always kind and cheerful. He 
was born in Dunstable, Mass., March lo, 1804, graduated at 
Amherst College in 1829, and studied for the ministry, at An- 
dover, in the class of 1833. He married Mabel Tappan Hill, of 
Portsmouth, and died at Athens, Ga., April 18, 1876. He was 
ordained pastor at Hampton, April 4, 1838; dismissed May 7, 
1848. Settled in Salisbury, January 12, 1849; dismissed Nov. 
I, 1854. He removed to Georgia in 1855, and remained till 
i860; installed at Alton, January 24, 1861 ; dismissed Novem- 
ber 24, 1863; installed at Kensington, June 30, 1864; dismissed 
January 13, 1875. While in Salisbury he built and occupied the 
house now owned by Hartwell C. Noyes. 

THE REV. THOMAS RATRAY 

Came from Toronto, Canada, and was installed at Salisbury 
May 7, 1856, and on account of ill health was dismissed April 
i5j 1857. He was employed at a salary of $550, and the 
expenses of moving. After leaving Salisbury he went to Scot- 
land, the place of his nativity, to revisit early scenes and old 
friends. Upoi-j his return he built a house in Concord, where 
he remained for several years, and from there removed to 
Massachusetts. 

THE REV. HORATIO MERRILL 

Was a son of Nathaniel and Phebe ( Merrill ) Merrill, and was 
born at Brownsfield, Me., April 26, 181 7. Studied at Phillips 
Exeter Academy, and graduated at Dartmouth in 1840. He 
studied at Andover Theological Seminary, in the class of 1843. 
He w^as ordained at West Newbury, Mass., in 1845 ; dismissed 
April II, 1847. He was installed in Salisbury March 17, 1858. 
A council held March 15, 1864, dismissed him from the pastor- 
ate, although he had not preached in the church for two years. 
On his application for a letter of dismission from the church, 
the church voted to expel him, and the following preamble and 
resolution were unanimously adopted: 

"Whereas, a difficulty arose in this church during the ministry of Rev. Horatio 
Merrill, on political grounds ; and whereas certain mem!)ers of the church left the 



ECCLKSIASTICAL HISTORY. I69 

communion of the church and were subsequently expelled; and whereas the ground 
of said difficulty has been removed; therefore, 

Jicsolvtui, That if any such desire to return to the communion of the church, 
the difficulty alluded to shall be no bar to their returning on the same standing as 
if no difficulty had ever occurred." 

The difficulty above alluded to sprang from a political dis- 
course, delivered July 4, 1858, in which Mr. Merrill made some 
gross misstatements, which were very offensive and intended 
to injure and wound the feelings of members of the church be- 
longing to one of the political parties. Five persons left the 
house. When Mr. Merrill was shown where he was in the wrong 
and asked to correct the error and make amends, he refused to 
do so. Other things coming up to his detriment, a portion of 
his congregation withdrew and built a new church on the 
corner, east of Mrs. Lois Crane's house, and organized as the 
Methodist Society, which existed until Mr. Merrill left. Then 
this society sold their building and most of them returned to 
the Congregational church. July 11, 1849, he married Sarah, 
daughter of Royal Whitman, of Turner, Me. He died at Hop- 
kinton, Iowa, September 7, 1878. During his ministry, nine- 
teen were received into the church by profession, five by letter, 
and four were dismissed. 

Mr. Merrill was an eloquent preacher, and wrote excellent 
sermons, and for a time was much admired by his parishioners. 

THE KEV. USAL W. CONDIT 

Came to Salisbury from Deerfield, and was installed March 
16, 1864, upon the dismission of Mr. Merrill. He was dis- 
missed by mutual council, January 13, 1869. During his min- 
istry eleven were admitted to the church by profession, eight 
by letter, and he administered the ordinance of baptism to 
seven. 

THE REV. JOSEPH H. COOK 

Was installed January 13, 1869, and was dismissed May 19, 
1876. Mr. Cook was hired at a salary of S500. He was a man 
of eminent piety and his influence as a scholarly preacher was 
verv marked. He resides at Hebron. 



I/O HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

THE REV. WILLIAM C. SCOFIELD 

Followed Mr. Cook, coming here from Newark, N. J., in the 
fall of 1875, continuing till 1877. During his pastorate between 
twenty and thirty united with the church. 

THE REV. GEORGE W. BOTHWELL 

Was born in Ohio, in 1850, of Scotch-Irish parents, his 
father emigrating form the north of Ireland in 1842, and settling 
near Marietta, Ohio. He possessed a strong desire for histori- 
cal information, and a greneral knowledge of letters. His old- 
est son, the subject of this sketch, most of the people of Salis- 
bury remember as a stated supply of the Congregational church, 
and a man who took a great interest in beautifying the village, 
and as a worker in every good cause. He was a gentleman in 
every sense of that word. At the early age of sixteen he began 
teaching; graduated at Adrian College, Mich., in 1875; had 
charge of Mission churches until he entered Yale College, from 
which he graduated, May, 1877, and is now supplying the Con- 
gregational church in Portland, Mich. Five months of his 
vacation, between his junior and senior year (1879) i^ Yale 
Theological Seminary, were spent in Salisbury, in which time 
five were added to the church. 

THE REV. SAMUEL H, BARNUM 

Son of Rev. S. W. and Charlotte (Betts) Barnum, was born 
at Springfield, Mass., April 7, 1852, fitted for college at Hop- 
kins Grammar School, and graduated at Yale College in 1875, 
and from Yale Theological Seminary in 1879, ^"<^^ removed to 
Salisbury, November 9, 1879, where he remained until May, 
1882, when he received a call to go to Durham, where he was 
ordained and installed, April 24, 1883. While at Durham, July 
13, 1882, he married Miss S. Pauline, daughter of Dea. Thomas 
D. and Susan E. (Smith) Little, of Salisbury. (See Geneal- 
ogy.) 

THE REV. CHARLES E. GORDON 

Son of Jackson and Marcia ( Fish) Gordon, was born at Law- 
rence, Mass., October 15, 1848. He graduated from Yale Col- 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. I7I 

lege in 1872, and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1875. 
May 17, 1876, he was ordained pastor of the Congregational 
church, in Pomfret, Ct., and officiated there for fifteen months. 
June, 1878, he was installed over the church in East Hardwick, 
Vt., where he remained until August, 1882. In November of 
that year, he supplied the pulpit in Salisbury and in Webster, 
(Corser Hill,) only a few miles apart, and October 4, 1883, was 
installed pastor over both churches, to which he still adminis- 
ters. The installation took place in the Webster church. 

Mr. Gordon makes Salisbury his place of residence and occu- 
pies the parsonage. On the 30th of September, 1878, he mar- 
ried Amy A., daughter of Prof. Edwin R. and Louisa J. 
(Sumner,) Keys, of Connecticut. They have two children, 
— Theodore W., born at East Hardwick, Vt., August 13, 1881, 
and Edwin R., born at Salisbury, Eebruary 9, 1883. 



CHAPTER XII. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, CONTINUED. 



" We had straight forward gone 
To endless death, but Love doth pull 

And turn us round, to look on One 
Whom if we were not very dull 

We would not choose but look on still, 
Since there is no place so lone 

Which He doth not fill." 



THE BAPTIST SOCIETIES. 

In the long and bitter controversy which resulted in the 
removal of the meeting-house to the South Road, the people 
living at the centre, and in the west part of the town, believed 
that great injustice had been done them and began to discuss 
measures for the formation of a new society. 

On the 25th of May, 1789, a large number of the leading citi- 
zens met at the school house, near the residence of Mr. Abel 
Elkins, "to find how many there were of the Baptist faith, and 
to take some proper steps to procure preaching." The meeting 
was organized by the choice of Daniel Brottlebank, as modera- 
tor, and Jonathan Cram, clerk. Lieut. Joseph Severance, Jon- 
athan Cram and Lieut. Moses Clough were chosen a committee 
to procure preaching. 

On the 23d of June a meeting of those interested in the for- 
mation of a new church and society was held, when seventy-six 
persons adopted and signed the following 

COVENANT, 

Know all Men by this. That we, the subscribers, being conscious of One only 
independent, supreme, superintending, absolutely perfect, all-gracious lieing; and 
therefore conscious of our dependence upon him, from whence naturally arises our 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. I73 

obligation to him, as rational creatures, and therefore capable of moral government, 
as it is expressed in the first and second commandments, which are a compendium 
of the whole duty of man, " for on these two commandments hang all the law and 
the prophets," without the knowledge of which we are a riddle to ourselves; and 
since that the heart be without knowledge it is not good; and Clod, in his all-wise 
superintendency, has cast our happy lot where, in addition to the manifestations of 
his own glorious perfections by creation, " he has more abundantly made himself 
known in the scriptures of the Old and New Testament, which are able to make us 
wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Jesus Christ, in whom dwells the 
fullness of the Clodhead bodily; " and not only so, but has, in said Scriptures delin- 
eated every character with which we stand in need to he acquainted, in order to 
glorify God, which is, in fact, to treat all characters and objects according to their 
worth and excellency ; therefore we ought, stripped of all prepossessions of opinion 
and sentiment, to search the Scriptures, to find out and know ourselves, what is 
good, and practice accordingly, realizing we must shortly be accountable to him, that 
is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 

We, therefore, in the view of these things, as men, amidst all the controversy of 
religionists and the errors of the times, would assume our natural rights in the 
choice of a religious sentiment for ourselves, and do accordingly, having had the 
opportunity to peruse, examine and determine upon several religious schemes or 
sentiments, presume voluntarily to choose and prefer what is called the strict Anti- 
Pedobaptists sentiments of religion, and do hereby make said sentiments of religion 
our own, taking it upon candid examination, according to our best light in the Holy 
Scriptures, to be the most agreeable thereto. And we, the subscribers, do hereby 
mutually covenant and agree to and with one another, that we will for the future 
exert our persons and disburse of our temporal interest, for the propagation and 
support of said religion, in equal proportion one with the other, so far as shall be 
thought prudent and advisable by two-thirds of the whole of us, in matters of the 
greatest importance having had fourteen or fifteen days' provious notice by a commit- 
tee chosen for that and other purposes, and in matters of less importance so far as 
shall be thought prudent and advisable by three-fourths of us who shall be present, 
having had four days' previous notice by said committee. We do furthermore, by 
these presents, bind ourselves to the strict observance of all the laws and orders made 
and enacted by the authority and rules aforesaid for the government of ourselves, 
promising to behave ourselves civilly one to the other and to the world of our 
fellow-men, so far as we shall have occasion to be conversant with them. Finally, 
we do and shall by these presents, consider ourselves as a distinct, separate body 
from all other denominations of religionists, and would have others take notice of 
aud treat us accordingly in a religious view only. 

Benjamin Silley, Nicholas Elliott, Wiggin Evans, 

Jon.ithan Cram, Joseph Elliot, Joseph Brown, jr., 

Joseph Severance, Edward l.add, Joseph L.idd, 

Thomas Chase, Joseph Kcnncston, John Elliott, 

Moses Garland, Daniel I'rottlebank, Reuben Hoyt, 

Benjamin Roberts, l?cnj.imin Woodman, Abrah.am Hoyt, 

Jonathan Fifield, Winthropc Sanborn, S.amuel Atkinson, 

Edward Fifield, Elisha Sclley, John Jerrod, 

Abraham Sanborn, Benjamin Silley, jr., Phincas Huntoon, 



174 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



David Pettengill, 
Thomas Sleeper, 
Peter Sweatt, 
Peter Eastman, 
Isaac Blasdel, ( Blaisdell ) 
Samuel Bean, 
Jacob Flanders, 
Abraham Fifield, 
William Eastman, 
Samuel Loverin, 
Dea. John D. Sweatt, 
Daniel Parker, 
Peter Severance, 
Simeon Conner, 
Josiah Haines, 
Pelatiah Corliss, 



Benjamin Fraizer, 
Ananiah Bohonon, 
Cutting Stevens, 
Jacob Dudley, 
Abel Elkins, 
Reuben True, 
Jedediah Sleeper, 
Joseph Fifield, 
Richard Elkins, 
Samuel Elkins, 
Benjamin Hoyt, 
John Farnham, 
Moses Call, 
Samuel Eaton, 
John Stevens, 
William Marcy, jr., 



Nathaniel Brown, 
Nathan Barttlett, 
Timothy Sweatt, 
Levi Morrill, 
Josiah Green, 
Enoch Fifield, 
John Hobbs, 
Steven Blaisdell, 
John Fifield, 3d, 
John Kenneston, 
Jabez Morrill, 
Samuel Quimby, 
James Pettengill, 
William Cate, 
Iddo Scribner. 



BUILDING A MEETING-HOUSE. 

For a time the society held meetings in private houses, and 
in an old school-house, which it appears they had bought of the 
town. The congregation rapidly increasing, on the 9th of Octo- 
ber, 1790, it was voted "to build a meeting-house, and sell the 
house on the south side of the road, on Abel Elkins's land, 
and that said meeting-house shall be free." On the following 
26th of the month it was voted "to build a meeting-house, the 
same bigness as that at the South Road." This vote was not 
carried into effect. March 17, 1 791, it was "voted to build the 
meeting-house 52 feet long and 40 feet wide, to be finished 
throughout as early as 1794." "Chose Jonathan Fifield, Joseph 
Fifield, John Clement, Benjamin Pettingill and Abel Elkins, a 
committee to erect the frame." "Chose Benjamin Pettingill, jr., 
Abra. Fifield, Samuel Bean, David Pettingill, Edward P'ifield, 
William Eastman, Benjamin Pettingill, Reuben True and Bailey 
Chase, a committee to sell pews." 

The house was erected within the specified time, and stood 
on the south-west side of the road, at the Centre Village, just 
north of the location of the present house, the main entrance 
being on the east side. On each end was a porch, supporting 
small steeples, similar to the one still standing on the north 
end. In each of these porches was an entrance. In the north 
tower was a bell. The interior was like most of the churches 
at that time, box pews, a large pulpit on the west side of the 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 1/5 

house, a gallery opposite and on the other two sides. An 
upper and lower set of windows furnished the light. 

In 1839, Dea. William Parsons had the contract to remodel 
the church into its present general style. He moved it back, 
took down the back tower, enlarged the north one, removed the 
facing side galleries, changed the location of the pulpit, put in 
new pews and new windows, added blinds, painted, and made 
other specified repairs, for the sum of $i,ioo. He furnished 
all the lumber and had all the old or unused material. After 
this Josiah Green purchased a large clock, which he put into 
the steeple to remain at his pleasure, for the use of the society 
and the public. 

The first minister the society settled, was 

ELDER ELIAS SMITH, 

Son of Stephen and Irene (Rawson) Smith, born at Lyme, 
Conn., June 17, 1769, and died there, June 29, 1846. He was 
of English descent. He had two brothers, — one a preacher, 
and the other a distinguished physician. He also had two sis- 
ters. His father was a Baptist, his mother a Congregationalist. 
Possessing a love for learning, he improved every opportunity, 
and though his advantages were limited, at the age of sixteen 
years he was a school teacher at Woodstock, Vt., where he 
united with the Baptist church, in 1789, and two years after 
began to preach. In the spring of 1791, agreeably to a pro- 
mise, he preached his first sermon in Salisbury. It was the 
first time religious service had been heard in the new church. 

Although the building was finished on the outside, no pulpit 
or pews had been constructed, and the interior was in an incom- 
plete state. The speaker occupied a carpenter's bench for a 
platform. His text was from i Kings, viii, 27, "But will God 
indeed dwell on the earth ? Behold the heaven, and heaven 
of heavens cannot contain thee ; how much less this house that 
I have builded.'" He first portrayed the greatness and glory 
of the Creator ; then how he dwelt on the earth, which was 
through the mediator, and finally pictured to his hearers the 
mighty work which God had done. 



176 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

He visited Salisbury again in November, 1792, and preached 
on a week day. At that time nine persons came forward, pro- 
fessed their faith in Christ, and were baptised by immersion in 
a small stream south of the church, over which a dam had been 
constructed by Mr. Josiah Green, in order to supply the pow- 
er to run a saw-mill. In February, 1793, he again returned 
and was invited to become the pastor of the church. 

Relative to this invitation, he wrote to a friend : " They have 
a new meeting-house, completely finished, the society is large, 
rich and liberal, and propose to give me two hundred dollars a 
year, and to find me a home and wood. There is a prospect of 
doing good in this and surrounding towns, that wish to have 
Baptist preachers." 

About this time an antipedopaptist society was formed in 
Warner, a room provided for meetings, and Elder Smith was 
invited to preach, possibly to settle there in charge of the 
church. 

Elder Smith was ordained at Lee, by an ecclesiastical council, 
the third Wednesday in August, 1792, and came to Salisbury 
January 7, 1793. He married Mary, daughter of Josiah Bur- 
leigh, of Newmarket, by whom he had Ursula, born September 
28, 1794, and Asa, born June 10, 1797. He also had Matthew 
Hale, born 18 10, who for a time preached in Nashua and 
elsewhere; was a well known and popular newspajDer writer, 
and was very liberal in his religious belief. He was a brilliant 
but eccentric man. He died in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1880. 

In the May following Elder Smith's settlement he visited 
Newmarket, and returned bringing his wife who had not before 
made her home in Salisbury. 

In order to render all possible aid to the minister, the people 
of his church raised by subscription the requisite money, and 
purchased a house and land for his use, as will be seen by the 
accompanying paper : 

Salishurv, March ye 6, 1794. 

We the Subscribers I'romise to pay to the Committee (of the Baptist Society) 
Sixty Six pounds twelve Shillings L. M. for the Place they lately Purchased of 
Lemuel Kezer & Wife Each subscriber to pay his Proportion according to a Rate 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, 



177 



bill Said Place to he given to Eld'r Smith in this manner (Viz) the half acre of 
land and the buildings thereon to be given to him free and Clear and the improve- 
ment of the twelve acres of land as long as he remains our Preacher, s'd Place 
belonging to the subscribers if Eld'r Smith does not except of it. 



Benj. Pettengill, juner, 
Abr'm Fifield, 
Ananiah Bohonon, 
John Karnham, 
Benj. Silley, 
John Eliott, 
Dude Kliott, 
Samuel Lovering, 
Isaac Page, 
Reuben True, 
Wm. Pingrey, 
John Fifield, 
Benj. Woodman, 
Moses Garland, 
Thomas Chase, 
Eliphalet Williams, 
Benj. Hoyt, 
Wadleigh Clough, 



Elisha Silley, 
Cleorge Seavey, 
Aron Silley, 
Simeon Connor, 
Joseph Mason, 
Benj. Oreley, 
Joseph Brown, juner, 
Josiah Hains, 
William Morey, juner, 
Pelatiah Corlis, 
Benj. Pettengill, 
David Pettengill, 
Wm. Eastman, 
Moses Clough, 
Ezra Flanders, 
I^onard Judkins, 
Moses Sleeper, 
Micheal .Sargant, 



Jacob True, 
Samuel Eaton, 
Jona'n Fifield, 
Caleb Judkins, 
Nicholas Eliott, 
Peter Barber, 
Samuel Bean, 
Josiah Scribner, 
Thomas Sleeper, 
Peter Eastman, 
Daniel Parker, 
Isaac Blaisdel, 
Jedediah Sleei>er, 
Samuel Elkins, 
Richard Elkins, 
Joseph Keneson, 
Samuel Davis. 



In 1796, the enthusiasm which for a time existed in this 
church and others in the same faith, — "the reformation" as it 
was styled — began to abate. New doctrines were accepted by 
certain members. Some were Calvinists in their views, and 
others exceedingly liberal. There was no union of sentiment 
or belief to hold them together. Not a few withdrew from the 
fellowship of the church. This year, in order to obtain the 
comforts of life, Mr. Smith taught school. His church diffi- 
culties, the alienations of his friends, and overwork, brought 
on a serious illness, and induced him to seek relief by supplying 
the pulpit only one-half the time. 

In the latter part of the year he left his pulpit in Salisbury, 
and began to preach in Woburn, Mass. But after a few 
months, in February, 1791, he returned to his Salisbury charge, 
and resolved to locate there permanently. But in January of 
the next year he went again to Woburn, taking his family with 
him. He was shortly after dismissed from the church in Salis- 
bury and recommended to sister churches. In 1801 he returned 
and preached in Salisbury and vicinity; not satisfied with the 
12 



178 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

support which preaching gave him, he opened a store in partner- 
ship with Josiah Green and Elisha Perkins. Although ordained 
as a Baptist, his methods were so erratic that the denomination 
became cautious about endorsing him. He left its fellowship 
and preached for a time the doctrines of Universalism, and 
finally became what was called a Christian — a denomination at 
the present day known as Christian Baptists. Having left both 
trade and preaching in Salisbury, he settled in Portsmouth, and 
in 1805 began the publication of a work entitled "The Christ- 
ian's Magazine, Reviewer, and Religious Instructor ; containing 
Subjects Historical, Doctrinal, Experimental, Practical and 
Political." It was published once in three months for two years. 
Mr. Smith resided for a year or two in Philadelphia, where he 
had a printing office and published some books. Returning to 
Portsmouth in September, 1808, he began the publication of the 
" Herald of Gospel Liberty," said to have been the first religious 
newspaper published in the United States, being five years in 
advance of the "Religious Remembrancer," of Philadelphia, and 
antedating by eight years the "Boston Recorder." In March, 
1 8 16, he published the "Life, Conversion, Preaching, Teaching 
and Sufferings of Elias Smith, Portsmouth," i2mo. 

OTHER MINISTERS. 

After Elder Smith left the town, in 1797, Elder Ariel Ken- 
drick ministered 10 the church and people for two years, and 
was succeeded by P^ider Joshua Young, who occupied the posi- 
tion from 1799 to 1802. No reliable records of any importance 
can be found regarding either of these men. 

For several years the church was without a permanent minis- 
ter. It had become thinned by deaths and removals, and had 
lost the evidence of an ecclesiastical existence, but at length 
reorganized, adopted new articles of faith, and by the decision 
of a council was recommended to the fellowship of other 
churches. The members at this time were limited to Michael 
Sargent, Simeon Connor, Eunice Connor, Samuel Kimball, 
Jacob True, Lydia True, George Seavey, James Pettengill, and 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 1 79 

Daniel Parker, the latter being chosen clerk, which office he 
held for the period of thirty-one years. He was succeeded by 
Benjamin O. Adams. 

THE KKV. OTIS KOBINSON. 

The subject of this sketch was the second pastor of the 
Baptist church in this town. In the fall of 1809 he received a 
call from our people to locate with us. fie was at that time 
residing at Sanford, Me., settled as the pastor of a most flour- 
ishing church built up under his ministry. 

Ten years had passed since the labors of the first pastor, the 
Rev. Elias Smith, had ceased. The church had lost its organi- 
zation. Everything connected therewith was at the lowest ebb. 
The state of religious feeling was far from promising. How- 
ever, Mr. Robinson, signifying a willingness to accept the call, 
was ordained in the spring of 18 10. Here he continued for 
sixteen years and saw his little band grow under his adminis- 
tration to a large and flourishing church of one hundred and 
thirty members. 

In 1826, after a very gratifying revival of religion, in which 
many were added to his church, Mr. Robinson, now quite ad- 
vanced in life, on his own request, was dismissed from his pas- 
toral charge. He still continued however to reside in the 
house he built, now owned and occupied by Stephen Morse, 
Esq. 

Mr. Robinson occasionally preached in our adjoining towns, 
even up almost to the day of his death, which occurred March 
1st, 1835, in the seventy-first year of his age, and the thirty- 
seventh of his ministry. His remains, with those of his wife, 
lie interred in the church cemetery. He made a very happy 
choice for a helpmate in Miss Hannah Reed, of Attleboro', 
Mass. They were married in 1785. She was a most amiable 
and noble woman, a loving wife and affectionate mother. 

Mr. Robinson was highly esteemed and respected in the 
denomination. He was a man of capacity and zeal, with an 
indomitable will and firmness of character, that marked him 
as a leading man in the communitv. He was one of the origi- 



l80 HISTORY OF SAI.ISBUKV. 

nators and founders of the "Baptist Salisbury Association," a 
very prominent institution in the State; instituted in Salisbury 
in the old Baptist church, on the 14th of October, 18 18. He 
was its moderator from the time of its organization till the 
resignation of his pastoral office. 

Some of our citizens will recall the event of the fifteenth 
anniversary of this association, held here on the 17th of Sep- 
tember, 1868, and the well merited tribute to the memory of 
Mr. Robinson, passed by the venerable Rev. E. E. Cummings, 
in his sermon on that occasion. It was in these words: "Here 
it may be profitable for us to pause a moment, and look in upon 
the first meeting of the Salisbury Association. It is being 
held in the ancient church edifice, which has long since given 
place to this modern structure. The old square pews are filled 
with venerable men and women, and the galleries with young 
people, all giving solemn heed to the exercises of the meeting. 
The old fashioned deacon's seat is occupied by a man of tall 
and commanding appearance, past the meridian of life, but 
possessed of great energy and unsurpassing executive ability, 
— that is Rev. Otis Robinson. * * * Such were 

the men whose names stands on the records of the first meet- 
ting of this association, and it is worthy of note that for a num- 
ber of years after its formation, these men with rarely an 
exception were present at its annual gatherings. They were 
noble men, and though they have passed from our view, yet 
their names are still fragrant in the recollection of those whom 
they have left behind." 

Mr. Robinson was a fluent and powerful speaker, always 
addressing his congregation extemporaneously, without written 
memoranda of any kind ; and so noted was he, that many 
came from a distance to hear him preach. The mother of Seth 
Eastman, Esq., a prominent citizen of Concord, often came 
here on horseback alone, fourteen miles to attend his meetings. 

Mr. Robinson was born in Attleboro', Mass., June 7th, 1764, 
of good old patriotic stock. His father, Dea. Enoch Robinson, 
was the Captain of a company of soldiers in the Revolution. 
Word reaching Attleboro' on the day of the battle of Lexing- 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. iSl 

ton, he immediately called out his men and marched to Boston, 
to engage in the great struggle for independence. His little 
son, Otis, then but eleven years of age, was clamorous to join 
his father, brothers and uncle, but he was left behind. So 
anxious was he to bear arms in that glorious cause, that he said 
he used to watch with eager impatience the slow growth of his 
beard, that mark of coming manhood which he hoped would 
pass him through the portals of the army. At the age of four- 
teen they could restrain him no longer, and he then enlisted in 
the continental army. At this date he Was lacking in "regu- 
lation height" nearly two inches, and fearing he would not be 
accepted, he stood upon tip-toe when the mustering officer 
passed. He served his country for four years, to the close of 
the war. At the age of eighteen he was apprenticed to the 
trade of a blacksmith. Three years after he married Miss 
Reed, and, in 1787, moved to Winthrop, Me. In 1791, he re- 
moved to Livermore, Me., where he became converted, and 
with seventeen others united in forming the first Baptist church 
in Livermore. Soon after his connection with the church, he 
felt it to be his mission to carry the "glad tidings" to others. 
To this end he devoted all of his spare moments to a rigorous 
self education for four years. Meanwhile on secular days was 
heard the vigorous strokes of his hammer, as it rang out its 
merry peals upon his anvil, wKile on the Sabbath his voice was 
heard in eloquent appeals for his Master. On the 7th of June, 
1798, on his 34th birthday, he was ordained as the pastor of the 
Baptist church in Sanford, Me. The church then had a mem- 
bership of thirty only. In less than two years it was increased 
to one hundred and forty-four members. Mr. Robinson had 
eight children. His third son, the late Cyrus Robinson, Esq., 
a highly respected citizen of Concord, was made prominent by 
his efforts in the cause of temperance and in the abolition of 
slavery. He was often elected to important town offices, and 
was called several times to represent his fellow citizens in the 
legislative halls of his State. 

December 22, 1826, forty members of the church withdrew, 
organized as the " Religious Calvinistic Baptist Society," and 



l82 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

claimed to be the "First Baptist Church in Salisbury." July 
3, 1828, this church and society voted unanimously to call to 
the pastorate 

THE REV. EBENEZER E. CUMMINGS. 

A committee consisting of Dea. William Gate, Enoch Fifield 
and Thomas Chase was chosen by the church, to join with a 
committee of the society, to extend a call and make arrange- 
ments for the support of Mr. Cummings, at a salary of $250 a 
year and the use of the society's land. Mr. Cummings accepted 
the call on the conditions named, and was ordained and installed 
on the 17th of September following. December 18, 1829, the 
salary was increased to $300. 

Though Mr. Cummings was a prudent and excellent man, and 
labored assiduously for the union and harmony of his people, 
he could not exorcise the evil spirit that had long possessed 
them. Differences of opinion and even bitter contentions ex- 
isted among the members of the church. The pastor knew 
that no good could come of a church which was divided against 
itself and refused to longer remain in a position of so much 
anxiety as he constantly experienced. He asked a dismission, 
which was granted January 5, 1831. 

The leading members of the two churches which then existed 
met in consultation, decided to forget the past, and to go on 
together in a christian life. A new church was formed, January 
19, 1 83 1, by an ecclesiastical council composed of pastors and 
delegates from Baptist churches in Concord, Sanbornton, Bow, 
Hopkinton, Sutton, New London and Newport. 

The following are the names of the members of the old 
churches who constituted the new church organization: 

Dea. William Cate, Oliver Shaw, 1.. True, 

Thomas Chase, Susan Garland, Abigail .Shaw, 

Joseph Sanborn, Daniel Parker, Maria Dunlap, 

Judith Scribner, Herschel Green, Eunice Connor. 

J. Kenniston, Elisabeth Sanborn, 

John Shaw, Emma Scribner, 

The new church extended an invitation to Mr. Cummings to 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 1 83 

become its pastor. In a letter bearinc; date June 4, 1831, he 
consented to remain, but was not installed. 

The next spring he removed to Concord and was settled over 
the First Baptist church, March 2, 1832, where he remained 
until January 11, 1854. After that he was ten years pastor of 
the Pleasant Street Baptist church. Reserved for thirty years 
in the Baptist ministry in Concord, "going in and out before 
his people " with the love and approbation of all. He still lives 
in that city, having passed his four-score and four milestones in 
the journey of life. 

Ebenezer Edson Cummings was the son of Joseph and Han- 
nah Cummings; was born in Claremont, March g, 1800; grad- 
uated at Waterville College in 1828. For many years he was a 
Trustee of the New Hampton Theological Seminary. He was 
President of the Board of Trustees for the New London Insti- 
tute from its beginning, and had the degree of D. D. conferred 
upon him by Dartmouth College, in 1855. He is now Honor- 
ary President of Colby Academy. While residing in Salisbury 
he married, in 1828, Chloe B. Humphrey, of Orwell, Vermont, 
who had previously been a teacher, and had the honor of 
teaching Stephen A. Douglass to read. She died in Concord 
in 1 87 1. Dr. Cummings was an agreeable speaker, a faithful 
pastor, and always zealous in the work of the Lord. 

The records of the society and of the church, from this date, 
have not been kept in a manner to afford reliable information. 
There are three separate books, by no means complete and 
sometimes contradictory. In August, 1832, a call was ex- 
tended to the 

KEV. SAMUKL EVERETT, 

of Milford. He became the pastor a few weeks later, remain- 
ing until July 10, 1838. He is remembered as an amiable and 
acceptable pastor, one who loved his people and who labored 
for the interests of the church. He was succeeded by the 

REV. JOHN LEARNEO, 

who was installed in September, 1838, and remained but one 
year. Being in delicate health, he was not physically adequate 



184 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

to the demands of the parish. He was an excellent scholar, a 
model of gentlemanly courtesy, and an exemplary christian. 

THE REV. JOHN BURDEN 

succeeded Mr. Learned in the autumn of 1839, or soon after. 
Mr. Burden was a man of the world rather than of the church. 
He was talented and capable of edifying the people, but he had 
a "knack" for business. He received a salary of $400 a year 
and, as he used to say, "never cheated his people." While in 
Salisbury he married Miss Kate Pettengill, daughter of Thomas 
Hale Pettengill, Esq., an accomplished and amiable lady. After 
leaving Salisbury he resided in Meredith, and in 1864 repre- 
sented that town in the Legislature. 

For several years prior to 1853 the church was in a dormant 
state. The third one, formed from the ruins of the first and 
second, was now itself in a state of decay. It had scarce a living 
branch remaining at the date named. But the vital elements 
of the three churches that had survived the trials of the past 
united and formed the "Salisbury Baptist Society." The Arti- 
cles of Faith and the Covenant, adopted in Philadelphia that 
year, were signed by the members of former organizations who 
desired to unite with the new church. They numbered seven- 
teen. A council was called and the new church instituted and 
commended to the fellowship of other churches of kindred faith. 
It was pronounced a Calvinist-Baptist church. A sermon was 
given at that time by that good man, the Rev. Edmund Worth, 
of Fisherville, formerly of Concord. 

But little can be written of the pastors who ministered to this 
church, nor of the many who from time to time supplied or 
temporarily occupied the pulpit. 

The Rev. Stephen Coombs, born at Barnstable, Mass., in 
1796, was the first pastor after the reorganization. He grad- 
uated at New Hampton in 1825, and was ordained at New 
Chester (now Hill) the same year. He came to Salisbury from 
Woodstock. He now resides on a farm at North Concord. 

In 1856 the Rev. Samuel H. Amsden was installed — but we 
find no record beyond that fact. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. I85 

The Rev. Joseph B. Damon is said to have preached there 
in 1854. If so, it was only as an exchange or a temporary sup- 
ply, as Mr. Coombs occupied the pulpit from July, 1853, to 
January, 1856. 

The Rev. Thomas B. Joy preached in 1863. 

The Rev. Albert A. Ford supplied from 1864 to 1866. 

The Rev. Joshua Clement, of North Thetford, Vt., preached 
there for several months in 1866-67. 

The Rev. Joseph Storer is remembered as preaching for a 
short time. 

The Rev. J. L. Sinclair, of the Freewill Baptist denomina- 
tion, occupied the pulpit one year. 

Elder Hiram Stevens sometimes preached during the pastor- 
ate of the Rev. Mr. Robinson. The Rev. David Gage, of Man- 
chester, the veteran clergyman who has visited every Baptist 
church in the State, often supplied the desk for short periods. 

Elder Buswell and the Rev. Elias Dane are named among 
the temporary supplies. 

Elder Peter M. Hersey, a Christian preacher, occupied the 
pulpit for a time. Mr. Ames, a student at the Methodist Sem- 
inary, occasionally preached. 

The Rev. A. H. Martin, of the Christian sect, a native of 
Bradford, Vt., born in 1823 and ordained there in 1842, was a 
stated preacher in this church for five years, from 1869 to 1875, 
a part of the time supplying the Union church in Andover, to 
which place he removed. He was formerly settled at West 
Randolph, Vt. At various times he was employed in evangeli- 
cal labors. His home has recently been in Franklin. 

RULING ELDERS PRIOR TO 1 800. 

Benjamin Howard, chosen July 6, 1793. Michael -Sargeant, chosen June 7, 1794. 
Nathaniel IJean, chosen June 7, 1794. 

DEACONS. 

Nathaniel Hean, chosen March 10, 1792. Jacob True, cho.sen July 6, 1793. 
Ezra Flanders, chosen June 7, 1794. Ebenezer Quimby, chosen June 7, 1794. 

Jonathan Wiggin, chosen June 7, 1794. 



1 86 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

William Cate, Amos Fifield, F. \V. Fifield, 

Jonathan Keniston, *Joseph Couch, Isaac K. Blaisdell, 

James Severance, Isaac Bailey, Richard Fellows. 
Daniel Parker, 

The following notes are taken from a private journal, kept 
by Dea. Daniel Parker, for many years clerk of the society: 

Salisbury, Aug. 6, 1792. 
This day the Salisbury branch of the Church of Christ at P>rentwood, met at the 
house of Joseph Quimby of this town, and passed the following votes, viz : — 

1st. Chose Brother Nathaniel Bean, Moderator, and to give the Right Hand of 
Fellowship to a number of brethren and sisters, viz : Joseph and Kbenezer Quimby, 
Abijah Watson, Jere'h I'almer, Joseph Watkins, William Sanborn, Ezra Waldron, 
— Sisters, Patience Quimby, Rebecca Wells, Hannah Quimby, Elisabeth Savory, 
Sarah Watson, Miriam (Quimby. 

Nov. 10, 1792. 

This day received into our fellowship the following persons: Baptised by 
Elder Samuel Shephard, D. D., I,eonard Judkins, Peter Eastman, Samuel Eaton, 
and Sister Mary Judkins; Nathaniel Bean, baptised by Elder John Peck; Moses 
Clough, from the Church at Deerfield; Sister Lamson Noyes, from the Church at 
Newton; Benjamin Silley and Sister Asia Silley, baptised by Elder Simonds of 
New London. 

Chose Brother Nathaniel Bean to stand as Deacon, and Daniel Parker as Church 
Clerk. Then Elder Elias Smith baptised the following persons, — Jacob True, 
Caleb Judkins, Benjamin Woodman, George Stone, Daniel Parker, John Stevens, 
Susanna Elliott, Abigail Hoit, Lydia Eaton, Lydia True, and received them into 
our fellowship. The same day, broke bread and formed a manifestation of Divine 
approbation among us. 

March 2, 1793. 
This day, the Brethren of this branch met and received a number of Brethren 
and Sisters into their fellowship, viz: Benjamin Hoit, John Palmer, Caleb Wells, 
Abner Flanders, ( Warner,) Mary Richardson, Joanna liohonon, baptised by Elder 
Elias Smith; Elisabeth Shepherd, baptised by Elder Samuel Shepherd, of Brent- 
wood. 

March 30, 1793. 
This day met and passed the following votes, viz: Chose Brother Nathaniel 
liean. Moderator ; voted to receive Elder Elias Smith, as pastor of this branch of 
the Church fur one year, or further, yearly. Voted to accept Elder Elias Smith's 
proposal, which is that he will preach with us six months at least, and then see if 
further Duty Calls. 

In addition to those already named, the following persons 
were admitted to the church previous to 1800; 

* Dismissed May 13, 1836. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



187 



Susanna Graves, 
James Palmer, 
Sarah Watkins, 
Jonathan X\'atkins, 
Sarah Wells, 
William C'orser, 
Mary liurneys, 



Ezra Flanders, 
Jemima Connor, 
Elisha Silley, 
Sarah Howard, 
Thomas Wells, 
Hannah Swett, 



Abraham Fifield, 
Abigail (^uimby, 
John Rolfe, 
Sarah Walker, 
Benjamin Howard, 
Tabitha Connor. 



THE UNION MEETING-HOUSE. 

Soon after the formation of the Baptist Society the residents 
of the west section of the town began to discuss the advantages 
which would result from the maintenance of preaching in their 
own neighborhood. They petitioned the selectmen to call a 
special town meeting to act on the question of forming a new 
parish. A meeting was accordingly held at the residence of 
J. C. Pettengill, on the 17th of January, 1791. The meeting 
not being fully attended, it was adjourned for ten days, to the 
house of Capt. David Pettengill. At this time it was voted, 
"That the upper end of the town may be set off as a parish 
agreeable to request." Voted to "raise twenty pounds for the 
purpose of supporting the gospel." Voted, "That the people 
above Blackwater River have their part of the above sum 
preached out amongst them, they providing the house." 

In 1832 they proposed to build a church. Finding in the 
congregation a number of Methodists, Christians, Congrega- 
tionalists and Universalists, they decided to build a "union 
meeting-house," each denomination to occupy the pulpit one 
Sunday in succession through the year. 

. February 26, 1834, a meeting was held to "take action in 
relation to the erection of a place of worship." A committee 
consisting of John Couch, Paul True, David Hobbs, David 
Stevens, hen]. Scribner, Israel K. Bean, William Couch, Daniel 
Watson, and David Harvey were appointed to confer upon the 
most judicious ways and means of building the house." The 
committee selected as the site that now occupied by the church, 
and to defray the expenses of building they recommended that 
all pledge themselves to pay a certain sum. To provide means 
to finish the inside, it was proposed to sell the pews to the 



i88 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



highest bidders. These recommendations were acceptable to 
the meeting. A constitution was adopted in which we find 
the provision "that each denomination shall have the house in 
proportion to the amount of property they shall possess in the 
house." Forty-two persons pledged the sum of $20.00 each 
towards building and finishing the same, and if that was not 
enough they agreed to pay an equal proportion for the remain- 
ing indebtedness. Joshua S. Bean, Caleb Smith, John S. Eaton 
and John Couch, 3d, were the church committee. The house 
was built and completed at once, and dedicated. 

The following were the pew owners, so far as known, at the 
time of dedication : 



Paul True, 3 pews, 
Reuben Greeley, 
Jabez Abbott, 
Jesse .Stevens, 
Caleb .Smith, 
John Rogers, 
Phinehas Colby, 
Daniel C. Gookin, 
Elias P. .Smith, 3 pews, 
Jabez True, 
Benj. Pettengill, 
Nathaniel Tucker, 
John Elkins, 



John Peaslee, 
Hezekiah F. .Stevens, 
Joseph ^^. .Stevens, 
Daniel .Stevens, 
True Flanders, 
Couch & Farnum, 
Nathaniel Greeley, 
Richard Fitz, 
John S. Eaton, 3 pews, 
John Couch, 3d, 
Jesse Eaton, 
J. Albert Couch, 
Moses J. .Stevens, 



Joshua S. Be^n, 
Benj. .Scribner, 
Nathaniel Abbott, 
John Jackman, 
Richard Hunt, 
IMoses Greeley, 
.Samuel Couch, jr., 
Benj. Tucker, 
Samuel Couch, 
David .Stevens, 
John Greeley, 
William Pearson. 



Among the ministers who have preached in this house for 
any regular time are the following: 



CHRISTIAN. 



D. S. Harriman, 
Benj. Cilley, 
M. Tilton, 
Moses B. Scribner, 



W. F. Morrill, 
A. H. Martin, 
Nehemiah Sleeper, 
John Whitney, 



Julius Blodgett, 
John Burden, 



METHODISTS. 



Reuben Dearborn, 
James Ryder, 
John Collins, 
M. Fletcher, 



W'm. D. Cass, 
J. M. Bean, 
J. W. Bean, 
J. G. Jameson, 



James Parmenter, 
M. Folsom, 
E. Davis. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORV. 1 89 

CONGREGATION ALISTS. 

Benjamin V. Foster, Nathaniel Ladd. 

UNIVERSALISTS. 

Jolin Moore, Robert IJartlett. 

DEACONS. 

John Bean, John Couch, Richard Fellows. 

Benjamin Tucker, Kl)enezer Johnson, 



CHAPTER XII. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, CONCLUDED. 

"The first tal:>ernacle to Hope we will build. 

The second to Faith, which insures it fulfilled; 

And the third to the Lamb of the great sacrifice, 

Who bequeathed to us both, when he rose to the skies." 

EAST VILLAGE CHURCH. 

For years there was no church and no place of public wor- 
ship in Pemigcwassett, or the East Village (now Franklin) in 
Salisbury. To attend religious services the people were obliged 
to go to Searle's Hill, and subsequently to the South Road; or 
to go beyond the limits of the town, to Sanbornton or North- 
field. From time to time the village increased in business, 
population and wealth, and the necessity of permanent minis- 
trations of the gospel was plainly seen. In February of the 
year 1820, after long deliberation, it was decided to make the 
effort to establish an orthodox church of the Congregational 
order, and erect a meeting-house. A lot was selected, located 
"between the dwelling house of John Rowell and Gardner 
Colby's blacksmith's shop." A subscription paper was circu- 
lated for the purpose of raising money to build a house of wor- 
ship. On this paper were the names of the most active citizens 
of that village and vicinity, as follows : 

Ebenezer Eastman, $90 00 John Hancock, jr., $10 00 



James Garland, 


40 00 


John Rowell, 


8 00 


Ebenezer Blanchard, 


40 00 


B. D. Cass, 


8 00 


William Haddock, 


30 00 


Reuben Taylor, 


8 00 


Parker Noyes, 


20 00 


James Proctor, 


S 00 


Ezekiel Webster, 


20 00 


Stephen Sawyer, jr., 


6 00 


Winthrop Fifield, 


12 00 


Samuel Judkins, jr., 


6 00 


Thomas Greeley, 


10 00 


Samuel George, 


6 00 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. IQI 



Dudley Ladd, 


$5 


00 


Jesse Merrill, 


$3 oo 


Benj. Rowe, 


5 


CO 


Isaac Hale, 


3 oo 


William Durgin, 


5 


oo 


Moses Heath, 


2 oo 


Eli liutman. 


5 


oo 


Richard Chapman, 


2 oo 


Jeremiah Hall, 


5 


oo 


Tristram Sanborn, 


2 oo 


Joseph Gerrish, 


5 


oo 


Phinehas Eastman, 


2 oo 


J. D. Sanborn, 


4 


00 


Benj. Shaw, 


2 oo 


William Robertson, 


4 


oo 


Enoch Holt, 


2 oo 


James Clark, 


4 


oo 


William Huntoon, 


2 oo 


John Clark, 


4 


oo 


John Colby, jr. 


2 OO 


Thomas Elkins, 


4 


oo 


Joseph Sanborn, 


I OO 


Stevens Sanborn, 


4 


oo 


John Cate, 


I 00 


Jonathan Sanborn, jr., 


3 


00 


Edward Blodgitt. 


I 00 



The lot, a very desirable one, was the gift of Ebenezer h2ast- 
man. The subscribers did not all reside in Salisbury. The 
people of Sanbornton and Northfield, as well as Salisbury, were 
to be accommodated, and made donations accordingly. The 
sum raised was inadequate to meet the e.Kpense of the building, 
but the revenue from the sale of pews supplied the deficiency. 

A meeting of the subscribers, to effect an organization, was 
held at "Reuben Taylor's Inn," March lo, 1820. Parker Noyes, 
Esq., was chosen clerk. Capt. Blanchard, and Messrs. Hale, 
Ladd, Clark, Haddock, Sanborn and Samuel George were 
elected a committee to construct the house. Blanchard and 
George were to erect the frame. The work of completing the 
house, after the erection of the frame, was offered at auction to 
the lowest bidder, and was awarded to Benj. Rowe, for $360.00. 
The contractor soon learned that he had not fully calculated 
the cost, and refused to execute the work as he had promised. 

July 4, 1820, Capt. Blanchard, James Garland and Richard 
Peabody were appointed to take charge of the frame and finish 
the house. On three sides of the interior of the church, gal- 
leries were built, which contained thirty-two pews. 

On the day of the sale of the pews, July 4, 1820, the Rev, 
Thomas Worcester, pastor of the church on the South Road, 
delivered a patriotic oration, which was received with great 
enthusiasm. William Haddock, taking his place on a stand 
constructed for the purpose, sold by auction the choice of pews, 
as represented on a plan which he held in his hand. It is said 



192 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

that, bein<; a holiday, an abundance of good punch was fur- 
nished and plenty of liquor, and that some of the foremost men 
in the enterprise let their generous spirits get the better of 
their judgment. The sum received from the sale was $2202.25. 
The church was completed by November 25, 1820, and was 
dedicated December 13th, the Rev. Asa McFarland, of Concord, 
preaching the dedication sermon. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH. 

The church was organized June 11, 1822, under the advice 
and direction of Rev. Mr. Wood and Rev. Mr. Price, of Bos- 
cawen. Rev. Thomas Worcester, of Salisbury, and Rev. Abram 
Bodwell, of Sanbornton. A church covenant and confession of 
faith was adopted, and signed by the following persons : 

Sarah Butman, Jesse Merrill, Richard Swaine, 

Esther Eastman, .Sarah Peabody, Abigail Chase, 

Paul Noyes, Letitia Cass, Sally Merrill, 

Mary Robinson, Charlotte Eastman, Andrew Robertson. 

Aretus Chandler, Charlotte I'eabody, 

Paul Noyes was the first deacon, or at least one of the first. 
The church had no settled pastor before the organization of the 
town of Franklin. 

A bell was purchased on subscription, which cost $300.00. 
The only living contributor at this date is Mr. Richard Judkins. 
A bible for the desk was given by Messrs. Holmes & Horner, 
and a communion service by Messrs. Kendall O. Peabody, 
Charles Tappan, R. F. Crane, Parker Noyes and P^benezer 
Eastman. The first stoves used in the church were the gift of 
Mr. Dudley Ladd. 

After the establishment of rhe new town of P^ranklin business 
rapidly increased, and the church sustained able and faithful 
pastors, but we are unable to give detailed reports of its pro- 
ceedings. It was organized as a Salisbury institution, but was 
entrusted to PYanklin for its support and prosperity. 

The Rev. William T. Savage, D. D., for a long time pastor, 
in his twenty-third anniversary sermon, in 1772, said : "In the 
department of preaching, the church and society, for some six 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. I93 

years from the beginning, seems not to have had a regular pas- 
tor. In formal documents and loose papers, allusion to the 
following ministers as having occupied the pulpit for one or 
more Sabbaths are found : Rev. D. Dana, Rev. M. B. Murdock, 
Rev. Abel Wood, of Warner; Rev. Robert Page, Missionary; 
Rev. David McRitchie, Steader and Holt, Missionaries, and 
Rev. Moses Bradford, of Francestown. In 1826, Rev. Abijah 
Cross, pastor of the church at the South Road, preached fifteen 
Sabbaths. In 1827, Rev. George Freeman officiated eleven 
Sabbaths, and in 1828, Rev. Reuben Farley sixteen Sabbaths." 



COUNTY CONFERENXE. 

The " Merrimack County Conference of Congregational 
Churches" was an outgrowth of the "Hopkinton Association," 
and was the result of a special meeting held at the dwelling 
house of the Rev. Dr. Wood, of Boscawen, April 4, 1827. 

This meeting was held to hear the report of a committee 
previously chosen to report upon the expediency of instituting 
a circular conference of churches. They reported in favor of 
the object and presented the draft of a constitution, which was 
accepted. 

Among the articles presented were the following: "This 
conference shall be composed of pastors and delegates from the 
Congregational churches within the bounds of the Hopkinton 
Association. It shall assume no control over the faith or the 
discipline of the church." "The officers shall be annually 
elected, and the annual meeting be the fourth Tuesday in June." 
"A collection shall be taken for indigent churches within the 
association." 

This article was afterwards so modified that the funds were 
to be used for charitable purposes, home and foreign missions, 
Sunday school unions, and for the educational society. 

The first meeting was held on the fourth Tuesday of June, 
1828, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, in the Congregational 



194 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

church at Salisbury, The Rev. Abijah Cross was then pastor. 
The first year of its existence it was known as auxiliary to the 
Hopkinton Association, but the name was changed to that 
which it now bears. At this meeting the following pastors and 
delegates were present : Boscawen, Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D., 
John Rogers, delegate ; second church, Boscawen, Rev. Eben- 
ezer Price, Enoch Little, delegate ; Dunbarton, Rev. Walter 
Harris, D. D. ; Canterbury, Rev. William Patrick, Abial Foster, 
delegate ; Sanbornton, Rev. Abraham Bodvvell, Moses Emery, 
delegate; Pembroke, Rev. Abraham Burnham, Moses Chamber- 
lain, delegate ; Henniker, Rev. Jacob Scales, Deacon Nathaniel 
Coggswell, delegate; Bradford, Rev. Robert Paige, Charles 
Morse, delegate ; Northfield, Rev. Liba Conant ; Concord, Rev. 
Nathaniel Bouton, Deacon Joshua Wilkins, delegate ; Hopkin- 
ton, Deacon Thomas Farwell, Isaac Long, delegate ; Warner, 
Frederick Eaton, delegate; Bow, Marshall Baker, delegate; 
Danbury, Deacon Joshua Jackson, delegate ; New Chester (Hill), 
Rev. Stephen Morse, Deacon James Whitney, delegate ; Salis- 
bury, Rev. Abijah Cross, Deacon Amos Pettengill, delegate. 
The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Harris, from Revela- 
tions, xii, 7. 

In 1838, the association again met at the Congregational 
church, in Salisbury, Rev. Benjamin Foster, then pastor. June 
10, 1884, the conference again met in Salisbury, Rev. Charles 
E. Gordon, pastor; eleven churches being represented by their 
pastors and delegates. The session continued for two days, 
a large number were in attendance, and much interest was 
manifested by those present. The church was most profusely 
decorated with evergreens and flowers. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 



" Rough, bleak and hard, our little State 

Is scant of soil, of limits straight ; 

Her yellow sands are sands alone, 

Her only mines are ice and stone ; 

Vet on her rocks, and on her sands 

And wintry hills, the school house stands; 

And what her rugged soil denies 

The harvest of the mind supplies." 



COMMON SCHOOLS. 

The history of the common schools of the State is yet to be 
written. Not even that of town or district schools with rare 
exceptions has been given. The earliest town schools of New 
Hampshire were undoubtedly established by authority of a law 
of Massachusetts, passed in 1647, and was prefaced by this 
expressive Puritanic preamble : 

"It being one chief point of that old Deluder, Satan, to keep men from a knowl- 
edge of the Scriptures, as in former times, by writing them in an unknown tongue; 
so in these later times, by persuading from the use of tongues, that, so at least, the 
true sense and meaning of the original might be clouded by false glasses of saint- 
seeing deceivers ; that learning may not be buried in the grave of the fathers, in the 
church and commonwealth, the Lord assisting our endeavors," 

" It is therefore ordered," etc. 

The law provided that every township having "the number 
of fifty households, shall forthwith appoint one within their town 
to teach all children as shall resort to him, to write and read, 
whose wages shall be paid either by the parents or masters of 
such children, or by the inhabitants in general, by way of sup- 
ply, as the major part of those that ordered the prudentials of 



196 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

the town shall appoint, provided, those that send their children 
be not oppressed by paying much more then they can have 
them taught for in other towns." 

Whenever a township had one hundred families, it was pro- 
vided that a grammar school should be maintained, in which all 
the studies, requisite to qualify the student for the university, 
should be taught. 

Provisions were made for schools in New Hampshire very 
similar to those in Massachusetts, which were from time to time 
modified and adapted to the necessities of the people. 

Previous to the incorporation of the town, in 1768, no school 
committees existed, and it was seldom that a school house was 
erected. "Masters" were the teachers, usually giving instruc- 
tion in their own houses or in rooms cheaply furnishecf by the 
town. The selectmen transacted the business and had the 
control of the schools. 

THE FIRST SCHOOL MONEY. 

At the first town meeting in Salisbury it was voted "to raise 
some money for school purposes." How much was appropri- 
ated cannot be ascertained, nor are we able to learn that the 
action was continued in the years immediately following. In 
1772 the sum of "twelve dollars was voted to support a school 
the present year." It was also voted "to raise half a day's 
work on the single head, to be done on the south end of the 
si.xty acre lot, which was laid out for the school." 

THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE. 

The lot was located on Searle's Hill, on the centre rangeway, 
by the parsonage, opposite the ten acre meeting-house lot. A 
school house, the first in the town, was built in the summer of 
that year. It was made of logs, and though its dimensions are 
not recorded we have reason to suppose it was not less than 
twenty feet square, having a cobble-stone fireplace, or perhaps 
small stones or brick laid in clay. The seats were simply a 
row of boards on two sides of the room, against the walls. 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. IQ/ 

FOUR SCHOOL HOUSES. 

Six years later the population had increased, and although 
the war was draining the country of men and the products of 
the soil, the town voted with great unanimity to build four 
school houses. These were built "by the job," the lowest bid 
being accepted. The clerk's record for 1778 says: "Capt. 
Ebenezer Webster, Dea. John Collins and Capt. Matthew Pet- 
tengill were 'incorporated' a Committee to treat with the Pro- 
prietors." This meeting was adjourned for a few days, and on 
reassembling the voters decided to divide the town into four 
school districts, and that each district build its own house with- 
in three months; in case of delay beyond that time, the select- 
men had authority to erect the buildings and the districts were 
required to meet the expense. The district lines do not appear 
to have been distinctly defined, as there is no record of them. 

One was located near the Blackwater, at what is known as 
Smith's Corner. This was built by Benaiah Bean, for S398.00. 
A second one was placed at the South Road, on the southwest 
corner of Capt. John Webster's land. It was built by Dea. 
John Collins, for $680.00. Another was situated at the Centre 
Road, at the southeast corner of Jonathan Fifield's land. The 
contractor for erecting this house was Edward Fifield, and the 
price was S678.00. The last of the four was on the North 
Road, near Mr. Wadleigh's. Mr. Andrew Pettengill received 
$494.00 for building it. Such buildings, for some time before or 
soon after, could have been completed for less than one-half the 
cost of these. But money was so much depreciated that labor 
commanded $8.00 per day. The amount raised annually for 
schools at this time was about S500.00, while $3,000.00 were 
appropriated for the improvement of roads! 

These four houses were made ready for use according to con- 
tract. They had wooden frames, were boarded and shingled, 
and furnished with windows and immense fire-places. 

Now and then we find among the old papers of the town a 
receipted bill for public instruction, given to the selectmen by 
some ancient pedagogue, like the following : 



198 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Salisbury, Nov. 25, 1778. 
Then received of the Selectmen of Salisbury two hundred dollars in full for 
teaching school five months — I say, Rec'd by me, 

TIMO. OSBORN. 
Toppan, etc. 

HIGH GRADE SCHOOLS. 

About this time Mr. Edward Eastman, who had obtained a 
higher education than the ordinary district schoolmaster, pro- 
posed to teach a school of the higher grade, if the town would 
give him the use of the school lot. The arrangement was made. 
He agreed to maintain a reading and writing school for three 
months in the year, for ten years, and then a grammar school 
for six months a year, for ten years more ; and, as the record 
says, "so, on," as it is understood for seventy years, for the 
town actually gave him a seventy-year lease of the land. For 
several years — we are not able to say just how long — Mr. 
Eastman fulfilled his contract, but at the request of the school- 
master the obligation was cancelled long before the expiration 
of the three-score years and ten. 

For a time, after the close of the war, no appropriation was 
made for the support of public schools. There was little 
money ; home products found no market, and articles of distant 
or foreign production were held at exceedingly high prices. 

SALE OF SCHOOL LANDS. 

In March, 1784, it was voted to "sell all the school lands 
and put the principal in the bank, and use the interest for the 
support of schools in the town annually." It was also voted at 
the same time "to sell all the schoolhouses belonging to the sd 
town and the money be contributed to the use of the town." 
The notice of the vendue was as follows : 

Whereas, At the annual meeting of the town of Salisbury, in the County of 
Hillsborough, on the 9th day of March 17S4, the inhabitants of sd Town voted to 
sell all the Land belonging to the .School Right, in sd Salisbury, that the interest of 
the money sd land comes to, may be laid out in schooling yearly: — 

Accordingly, we, the Selectmen of sd Town, have advertised the hundred acre 
lot belonging to the said School Right, it being No. 59, in the North Range; to be 
sold at the house of Capt. Matthew Pettengill in sd Town, at Public Vendue, to the 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. I99 

highest bidder, sd Vendue to begin at one o'clock, in the afternoon, on Monday the 
7th day of June, 17S4. 

Articles of sale are as follows: — That each and every person have equal right 
and liberty in bidding; the person giving such security as shall be satisfactory 
to sd Town ; the purchaser paying the interest annually and the principal to be 
paid in six years from this date. If not paid in that time, then to be at the option 
of the Town, when to take the Principal, and that no bid be accounted valid under 
three pence per acre. 

DANIEL BROCKLEBANK, ) 
JACOB TRUK, ^ Selectmen. 

JOHN SWEATT, ) 

Salisbury, June ye 7, 17S4. 

Capt. Samuel Webster was appointed "Vendue Master." 
The sale took place in accordance with the notice, and the land 
was sold to Ephraim Colby, for three pounds, fifteen shillings 
and three-pence per acre. 

The sale of the school houses brought, in the aggregate, 
$63.75, a depreciation of $2277.25 in five years. John C. Gale 
gave $19.50 for the one on the North Road; John Webster 
$16.00 for that at the South Road; Joseph Bean $16.00 for the 
house at the Centre Road, and John Smith $12.25 ^or the one 
beyond the Blackwater. 

SCHOOLS IN THE ASCENDANT. 

We talk approvingly of the voice of the people, and in accord- 
ance with the requirements of our fundamental law we are 
accustomed to acquiesce in its decisions. But there is nothing 
in nature more inconsistent than the verdicts often rendered by 
the people. Two years ago the town of Salisbury not only 
refused to supj)ort public schools, but, in a spirit of narrow 
economy, sold all her school houses for the magnificent sum of 
$63.75 ! Now, in 1786, reason appears to be returning, for the 
town voted to raise $210.00 in lawful money for the support of 
schools, and ordered that each district provide its own school 
rooms and pay its proportion of the sum appropriated for the 
cause of education. 

The ne.\t appropriation on record for this purpose was one of 
$300.00; and in 1791 a school house was built at the Lower 
Village, now the Orphans' Home district. This was the first 



200 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

erected in that section of the town. The site was nearly oppo- 
site the residence of Benjamin Sanborn. Here the boy, Daniel 
Webster, attended school ; here the young man, Mr. Daniel 
Webster, was employed in teaching the district school ; and not 
far remote in time, the statesman and orator spent here his 
leisure days. 

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION. 

It was the practice of the early settlers to give their children 
such rudimentary instruction as they were capable of impart- 
ing, at their own homes. In some instances neighbors united 
and occasionally employed a teacher, often selecting one who 
could aid in the household or on the farm. But the compensa- 
tion for such service was small ; money was never abundant 
with the pioneers of the town ; land was obtained at a low price 
and needed little beyond good tillage to ensure a bountiful har- 
vest. But the most e.xact economy was required. Without 
money, or with a "narrow margin," they reared large families, 
supported the gospel, maintained schools, built houses, opened 
roads, cleared up forests, constructed garrisons, fought the 
Indians, and made heroic sacrifices for independence. And 
yet, with the improvements of a hundred years in our favor, we 
complain of hardships, of burdensome taxation, and of the 
severe demands of modern society. 

BUILDING SCHOOL HOUSES. 

The second school house at the South Road was built by 
subscription, and was located at the corner east of Mrs. Crane's, 
opposite the residence of P. A. Fellows. Though built and 
used for a school, it was reallv private property, as may be 
inferred from the following subscription : 

We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do hereby, each one of us, promise 
and engage unto the others, to pay, each one, towards building and finishing the 
school house, that now standeth by the South Road in said Salisbury, and on the 
corner of land now owned by Capt. John Webster, which land is known by the 
name of the Gale lot, according to our interest or estate in the same proportion that 
we are now ta.\ed, in the State ta.x — the said school house to be finished and made 
complete on or before the first day of November ne.vt ensuing, — and also we prom- 
ise and engage to repair and keep in repair the same, from time to time, as the 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 201 

same may happen, in the same manner as aforesd — to be kept for the use and ben- 
efit of a school, so long as the same shall last, and shall be under the government 
of the major part of the subscribers or some person or persons by them appointed ; 
and whosoever of the subscribers shall neglect or refuse to pay their part or propor- 
tion, as above mentioned, — seasonably to complete the afores'd house at the time 
as above, shall suffer all the cost and damage, that shall happen thereby, the same 
if not otherwise prevented, to be recovered in a common course of law, as shall be 
thought best by the major part of the subscribers, that have performed according 
to agreement. 

Witness — our hands, the 14th day of July Anno Domini 17S7. 

Andrew Bohonon, Benjamin Baker, Joseph Bartlett, 

Luke Wilder, Peter Barber, John Webster, Jr., 

John Collins, Joseph Bean, Edward Evans, 

Ebenezer Johnson, Stephen Webster, Philip Colliy. 

Leonard Judkins, John Sweatt, 

George Bailey, William Calef, 

August 26, 1787, Capt. John Webster sold to the above 
named, for the consideration of a school and school house, a 
site on the southwesterly corner of the sixty acre lot, No. 23, 
laid out for Samuel Stevens. Witnessed by John Hoyt and 
Ezra Flanders. 

The house was completed according to the agreement, and for 
many years was used for the accommodation of a public school. 
After the academy was removed from its original location to 
the South Road, the school was transferred to one portion of 
it, and the old house was given to other uses. 

FORMATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 

In 1 8 19 the town was divided into eleven school districts, 
and there were school houses in nine of them. In the others, 
schools were kept in private rooms. Changes were subsequent- 
ly made and other districts formed, increasing the number to 
fourteen, partially described in the records. 

Number I. This district was organized in 1820, agreeably 
to a petition of Joel Eastman and others, and known then and 
now as South Road School District No. i. The Academy 
building was appropriated for the use of the school, and some 
part of it has been used for that purpose since it was removed 
from the original site. 



202 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Number II, known as the Centre Road District, was formed 
April 2, 1823, on petition of Josiah Green and others. The 
first school house in this district stood a short distance to the 
west of F. W. Fifield's barn. It was afterwards located just 
north of the meeting-house. For many years the school house 
has stood on the south side of the road leading from the Centre 
Road to West Salisbury, a few rods from its junction with the 
old turnpike road. At one time the town voted that the town 
hall might be used for a school room, but this was probably only 
while the school house was undergoing repairs, or it may have 
been for a private school. 

Number III, now called "Sawyer's," and formerly "South 
Road District No. 2," was organized in 1820, on petition of 
Nathaniel Greeley and others. 

Number IV, or "Scribner's," embraces the section of the 
town around "Scribner's Corner." 

Number V is on the North Road. This school house is the 
oldest in the town. 

Number VI. This district includes that part of the town 
which is known as "The Mills." There was a school located 
here as early as 1806, and a school house in 18 16. It became 
unfit for use years ago. In 1884 the district erected a fine and 
commodious building, with modern conveniences. 

Number VII is at "Smith's Corner," or the Union Meeting 
house neighborhood. One of the school houses, built in 1782 
and sold two years afterwards, was in this district. The second 
school house in this section of the town was erected in 1789, 
by Phineas Bean, Joseph Meloon and Richard Foster. It was 
20 by 25 feet in size. To aid in its completion more than sixty 
dollars were contributed by individuals. Nathaniel Meloon 
gave $12.00, Phineas Bean, $12.00, Benaiah Bean, $10.00, John 
Smith, $12.00, Nathaniel Meloon, Jr., $5.00, John Sawyer, $4.00, 
Jabez True, $4.00, Simeon Sawyer, $2.00, and Richard Foster, 
$1.00. The district was at one time designated as No. 8. In 
1825, on the petition of Daniel Fitts and others, a district was 
organized embracing this section of the town, and was called 
South Road District No. 3. How it came to be No. 7 in this 
system of districts we are unable to say, for we find no record. 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 203 

Number VIII, or "Thompson's Corner District." The first 
school house in the town, built of logs in 1772, was on a site 
included in the limits of No. 8. The second school house in 
the district was built in 18 16, and was located east of the pres- 
ent brick school house in this district. 

Number IX is on Loverin's Hill, and was established in 
1826, on petition of Thomas Chase and others. It has been 
called Centre Road District No. 2. The house was built by 
Daniel Loverin, in 1826, and is now abandoned. 

Number X is on the southern spur of Kearsarge mountain, 
and is usually called the "Watson District." A school house 
was built here as early as 18 12. 

Number XI is on Raccoon Hill, and is often denominated 
the "Shaw District." In 1847 Mr. George Shaw gave the 
land and built the school house for $149.50. In 1871 the dis- 
trict was enlarged, and in 1876 the house was repaired. 

Shaw's Cotiner District. This was originally known as 
South Road District No. i, then as South Road District No. 2. 
The first school house stood just south of Thomas Bruce's gar- 
den. The town sold it to Samuel Ouimby, who made interior 
modifications and rented it to Kben (commonly called "Cain") 
Whittemore, for a dwelling house, who occupied it for many 
years, raising a large family of children. The next house for 
school purposes was erected in 1820, at the "Corner," where it 
remained until 1881, when it was removed, a commodious and 
handsome house taking its place. 

Lower Village District, now Orphans' Home, in Franklin. 
The school house was located on the triangular lot of land south 
of G. B. Matthews's barn. The present house is of brick, and 
was built by private contribution or by subscriptions for shares, 
at a value of $10.00 per share. The records of this district 
were in the hands of Parker Noyes, Esq., at the time of his 
decease. 

East Village District ( Franklin.) The land now occupied 
by a school building, in that portion of Franklin formerly be- 
longing to Salisbury, was given by Ebenezep Eastman, for 
"educational purposes," in 18 16. The deed was given to the 



204 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

"Republican Village Association in Salisbury." The first 
school house in that part of the town was built in 1805-6. The 
second house was remov^ed to give place to a larger one. For 
a time it occupied the corner where Sanborn's block now stands. 
It was used as a store and was occupied by John Robertson. 
The present house, recently built, is one of rare taste and 
exquisite beauty, and in outward appearance resembles a coun- 
try residence of wealth and refinement. 

EARLY TEACHERS IN THE TOWN. 

No perfect record is found of the teachers in Salisbury. It 
is certain that prior to 1805 those here named were employed 
in the districts mentioned. 

Robert Hoag, who originally wrote his name Hogg, taught 
west of the Blackwater in 1793, and in some section of the town 
at least two years previously. He was of Scotch parentage and 
may have been related to the family of the name that came to 
this country with the ancestors of General Stark. He settled 
on the farm now known as the Reuben Greeley place, west 
of that of D. J. Stevens. He was an eccentric man but a good 
scholar, and noted as a teacher. "Master Hogg" was a famil- 
iar name in his day and for years after he died. His daughter 
married Richard Greenough. 

The same year, 1793, Benjamin Fifield and Moses Eastman 
taught on the North Road, Mr. McDaniel on Raccoon Hill, and 
William Hoyt on the Centre Road. 

The next year Thomas Chase taught on the Centre Road, 
William Hoyt on Raccoon Hill, Jonathan French on the North 
Road, and Moses Eastman on the River Road. 

In 1795 John Huntoon taught on the North Road, at $10.00 
per month ; Moses Sawyer and David Ouimby taught on the 
South Road. 

The names of Reuben French, Moses Eastman and Oniseph- 
orus Page are also recorded as teachers. The latter received 
six pounds, fifteen shillings, for teaching in the Bog District, 
in 1795-6. 



KDUCATIONAL HISTOKV. 



205 



In 1 801 a sister of Daniel Webster taught in the town, and 
in 1805 Ichabod Bartlett and Grace Fletcher are mentioned as 
teachers. 

Timothy Osborn was one of the earliest teachers. 

Moses Marsh taught in 1796. 

Nancy h^astman taught in 1797, at seven shillings a week. 

William Couch taught above lilackwater, on the South Road, 
in 1794. 

William Hazelton taught in 1794, and Dame Jacobs in 1796. 

Ephraim l^^astman, of Andover, taught on Raccoon Hill, in 
1796. 

John Page taught in 1798. 

Elder Elias Smith, taught in the Centre Road District, in 
1796, for which he received five pounds eighteen shillings and 
seven pence. 

SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEES. 

From the year 18 10 to 1827 there appears to be a record of 
school committees in the town. From the latter date to 1852 
there is almost an entire omission : 



1810 — Andrew Howers, 
Moses Kastman, 
Job Wilson, 
Parker Xoyes. 

181 1 — Andrew Howers, 
Moses Eastman, 
Job \V Ison, 
I'arker Noyes. 

181 2 — Andrew Howers, 
I'arker Noyes. 
Edward Blodgett. 

1813 — Andrew I'.owers, 
Job Wilson, 
Moses Eastman. 

1814 — Parker Noyes, 

Richard Fletcher, 
Samuel C. Hartlett. 

1S15 — Richard Fletcher, 
Samuel C. Kartlett, 
Andrew Itowers. 



1S16 — Andrew Bowers, 
Moses Eastman, 
Job Wilson. 

1817 — Andrew Howers, 
Benjamin Gale, 
Job Wilson. 

iSiS — Moses Eastman, 
Joshua Fifield, 
Samuel C. Bartlett. 

1S19 — Samuel C. Hartlett. 
Moses Eastman, 
I'arker Noyes. 

1820 — John White, 

Moses Eastman, 
James (larland. 

iS::i — Andrew Howers, 
Moses Eastman, 
James darland. 



1S22 — Moses Eastman, 
I'arker Noyes, 
Joshua Fifield, 
Samuel I. Wells, 
Samuel C. Hartlett. 

i>S23 — Moses Eastman, 
.Samuel I. Wells, 
Andrew Bowers. 

1824 — Thos. II. I'ettengill, 
I'arker Noyes, 
Job Wilson. 

1825 — Moses Eastman, 
I'arker Noyes, 
Rev. Abijah Cross. 

1S26 — Rev. T. Worcester, 
Peter Bartlett, 
Andrew Howers. 

1S27 — (Jeorge W. Nesmith, 
Joshua I'i field, 
John White. 



206 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



In 1828 the committee consisted of fourteen, one for each 
district. In 1829 there were twelve members. In 1830 Thos. 
H. Pettengell, Samuel I. Wells, and Rev. E. E. Cummings con- 
stituted the committee. The writer remembers that Thomas 
Hale Pettengill, Esq., was one of the committee in 1839, though 
he paid no attention to the schools. It was rarely that the 
school officials gave much attention to the duties of their ap- 
pointment in those days. After 185 1, the records show that 
committees were regularly appointed : 



1852 — Rev. E. D. Eldridge, 
Rev. S. Coomljs, 
Thomas D. Little. 

1S53 — James Fellows, 
Ira H. Couch, 
Rev. John Burden. 

1S54 — Rev. John Burden, 
Ira H. Couch, 
Rev. D. B. Damon. 

1855 — Ira H. Couch, 
James Fellows, 
Joseph P. Stevens. 

1856— Ira H. Couch, 

Joseph P. Stevens, 
A. H. Robinson. 

1857 — Hiram F. French, 
Robert Smith, 
Stephen M. Pingree. 

1858 — Joseph P. Stevens, 
Charles C. Rogers, 
Samuel C. Pingree. 



1S59 — Charles C. Rogers, 
Robert Smith, 
Elbridge D. Couch. 

1S60 — Charles C. Rogers, 
Elbridge D. Couch, 
Henry A. Fellows. 

1S62— Charles B. Willis, 
Charles C. Rogers, 
Elbridge D. Couch. 

1S63-4-5— 

Charles C. Rogers, 
Ira H. Couch, 
Daniel J. Calef. 

1866 — George W. Towle, 
Charles C. Rogers, 
Reynolds S. Rogers. 

1867 — George H. Towle. 

1868 — George H. Towle, 
Charles C. Rogers. 



1869 — Charles C. Rogers, 

Daniel J. Calef. 
1870-1 — 

Rev. Jona. B. Cook. 
1S72 — Rev. A. H. Martin. 
1873 — Charles C. Rogers. 
1S75 — Rev. A. H. Martin. 
1876 — Charles C. Rogers. 
1877 — Daniel J. Calef. 
1878— Drusilla Blasdell. 
1879 — Charles C. Rogers. 
18S0-1— 

Edward Wayne. 
1S82— Elbridge Smith. 
1S83 — *Silas P. Thompson, 

tErnest C. Currier. 
1884 — Charles C. Rogers. 



'Resigned in April, t Appointed. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY, CONCLUDED. 



"The riches of the Commonwealth 

Are free, strong minds and hearts of health, 

And more to her than gold or grain 

The cunning hand and cultured brain." 



SALISBURY ACADEMY. 

At the close of the last century, Salisbury was the residence 
of an unusual number of prudent, intelligent and scholarly men. 
They had pride in the good name of the town, and looked for- 
ward with cheerful anticipations to a higher position which it 
might hold in the State. They not only maintained good order, 
liberally supported schools and sustained an able and faithful 
ministry, but saw the advantages which would result from a 
permanent institution of learning, and at length united in the 
establishment of an academy. At the annual town meeting in 
1792 it is recorded, "the people gave their approbation for an 
academy, to be located between Ens. Moses Garland's and Ens. 
Edward West's." After no little delay a petition was presented 
to the Legislature for an Act of Incorporation. The petition 
was signed by the active men of the town, and was presented at 
the winter session, in January, 1795. 

to the honble senate and house of representatives in general court 
Convened, at Concord: 

The petition of the undersigned persons humbly showeth. 

That we have long experienced the want of an institution in this vicinity, where 
youth may be instructed in the higher branches of learning, and be prepared to 
transact the common business of life with advantage, or to finish their education at 
a university. We feel a deep conviction of the importance and utility of a general 
diffusion of literature and good morals. To facilitate the means of education is, 



208 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



we are persuaded the most effectual means of accomplishing this desirable object. 
The dearest interests of our country are fast devolving upon the rising generation, 
they will soon become citizens, and be interested with all the relations of life; we 
regard them with a paternal anxiety and ardently wish that they may enter upon the 
theatre of life with such qualifications as will do honor not only to republicans, but 
to human nature. We consider knowledge as the palladium of liberty, we consider 
good morals the foundation of happiness, public and private ; with such sentiments 
we have associated for the purpose of erecting and supporting an academy by the 
name of the Salisbury Academy, where youth may be initiated in the arts and 
sciences, acquire habits of morality and piety, and an invincible attachment to the 
principles of civil and religious liberty. The design of our association has received 
the approbation of a majority of our fellow townsmen, and we now respectfully 
solicit the patronage of the Legislature of New Hampshire. 

Your Honors must be sensible that the business of such an institution cannot 
be well managed without a Board of Trustees, we therefore pray your Honors for 
liberty to bring in a bill to constitute Honbls Timo. Walker, Abiel Foster, Esq., 
Rev. Jonathan Searle, Rev. Elias Smith and Luke Wilder, a Corporation by the 
name of the Trustees of Salisbury Academy, and to invest the above named gen- 
tlemen and their business, with all the necessary power of a body corporate to 
carry into execution the design aforesaid of your petitioners. 

And your petioners as in duty bound will ever pray. 



Jonathan Searle, 
Luke Wilder, 
Andrew ] Sowers, 
Jonathan Fifield, 
Elias Smith, 
Caleb Judkins,, 
Leonard Judkins, 
Moses Garland, 
John Swett, 
Ephraim Colby, 
Jacob Garland, 
Moses Morse, 
Israel Webster, 



Nathaniel Ash, 
Abiel Elkins, 
Benjamin Pettengill. 
Stephen CJeorge, 
Reuben True, 
James Currier, 
Wiliam Eastman, 
Jona. C. Pettengill, 
Benjamin Whittemore, 
Ananiah Bohonon, 
Samuel Lovering, 
Samuel Greenleaf, 
Stephen Webster, 



Joseph Severance, 
Joseph Adams, 
Joseph Fifield, 
ISenjamin Pettengill, jun'r, 
Eliphalet Williams, 
Jul ward West, 
Jacob Bohonon, junr., 
Leonard Judkins, junr., 
Insn. Levi George, 
Andrew Bohonon, 
Caleb Cushing, 
Abraham Sanborn. 



Salisbury, Dec. 20th, 1794. 



A CHARTER GRANTED. 



St.\te of New Hampshire, L\ the House ov Representatives. 

January 15, 1795. 
The Committee on the within petition reported that the petitioners have leave 
to bring in a bill, at this or the next session of the General Court, for the purpose 
mentioned in said petition, but so guarded as not to allow the Corporation to hold 
any real estate free of taxes, which report being read and considered, 
Voted that it be received and accepted. 

JOHN P.ENTON, 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 209 

In the Senate, same day, read and concurred. 

XATHAX PARKER, 

Dept. Seciy. 

While the petition was before the Legislature, a town meet- 
ing was held, when the vote which was passed three years pre- 
viously, approving the movement, was repeated, with the quali- 
fication that the academy be "built at the expense of the erec- 
tors." The location, between Ens. Garland's and Ens. Edward 
West's," was again approved. 

An Act of Incorporation was granted, bearing date of Decem- 
ber 22, 1/95, in accordance with the terms of the petition. 

ERECTING THE BUILDING. 

The Board of Trustees, by authority of the Legislature, had 
the charge of the institution. They selected a site and caused 
the building to be erected. It was placed on the ridge of Gar- 
land's Hill, nearly west of the residence of Nicholas Wallace, 
and was two stories high. 

The funds for its construction were raised by subscription. 
We have no data regarding its cost, nor do we know the names 
of the contractors or workmen. There is no record of a for- 
mal opening or dedication, nor can we find a catalogue of the 
teachers and students at that date, nor for years after. We only 
know that one Thomas Chase was the first principal. We 
have no knowledge of him beyond this fact — that he instructe.d 
at this time the lad who became America's greatest statesman, 
and who was a pupil in the institution. (See Genealogy.) 

ITS PROSPERITY. 

The academy was for a time well sustained, but owing to the 
sparse population in that neighborhood, and the consequently 
limited number of dwelling houses, board could not be obtained. 
In those days clubs were not common ; students had not 
learned to board themselves, and no public boarding house was 
maintained. The school was therefore closed in a few years 
after it had been instituted. 



2IO HISTORY OF SALISBURV. 

A REMOVAL. 

It was proposed to move the building to the South Village 
and open it under new management. At an adjourned meeting, 
March 26, 1805, Andrew l^owers and Moses Clement were 
chosen to "procure a lot of land on which to set the academy." 
They purchased of William Little forty square rods, at the 
junction of "the Turnpike" with the College Road, being the 
delta now occupied by the academy. The cost was $ 120.00. 
Again a subscription was raised, for removing the building to 
the new location. 

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SECURES AN INTEREST. 

The expense of this removal and the proper repairs were 
found to exceed the contributions, and the School District at 
the South Road Village, with the view of using the lower 
rooms for a public school, voted to meet the deficiency by 
"taxing each poll according to its ratable estate." 

Andrew Bowers was constituted the agent of the district, to 
negotiate with the proprietors of the academy. Terms were 
made satisfactory, and, on April 15th of the same year, John 
Webster, John Sweatt, Moses Clement, Samuel Greenleaf and 
Benjamin Pettengill were chosen a committee to move the 
academy. The removal took place April 29, 1805. 

New underpinning was put in by Stephen Bohonon,at a cost 
of $29.50; a chimney was built on the east side, by William C. 
Little, for which he was paid $46.00. This chimney communi- 
cated with a large fire-place in each story. John Sweatt and 
Moses Clement were chosen to collect the subscriptions and to 
finish the house, or rather that portion of it appropriated to the 
use of the district. The same men, with the addition of Sam- 
uel Greenleaf, finished the upper room, which was assigned to 
the use of the academy. Mr. Bohonon took the contract and 
was paid $80.00. 

On the 13th of January, 1806, the district voted "to move in 
next Wednesday morning." As then constituted, the part 
occupied by the district contained two rooms. The floor of the 
southeast section of the one and of the west side of the other, 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 211 

for a short distance, was elevated and occupied by the desks of 
the scholars. The teachers' desks were opposite to those of 
the pupils. 

The entrance to the upper rooms and to the north room 
below was on the cast side of the building, near the northeast 
corner; but to the lower south room the entrance was at the 
middle of the south side. From the east side the entrance was 
to a small hall ; a few steps led to a platform or broad stair ; from 
this platform a flight of stairs led to the upper north room, and 
by a narrow hall or walk to the south room on the second floor. 
In the south room brick stoves succeeded fire-places, but at a 
later period iron stoves were substituted. 

Again a subscription was raised to make repairs on the build- 
ing and add to its accommodations. The fire-places were taken 
out, the lower rooms made into one, a chimney built on the 
north side, and the ceiling of the lower story lowered. It was 
at this time that the entrance on the east end, and the stairway 
leading to the second story, were changed to the southeast cor- 
ner of the building. New windows were supplied and blinds 
added. The cost of these repairs was about $300.00. This 
was in 1837-8, and Benjamin Pettengill, Nathaniel Bean, and 
Rev. Valentine Little were the committee to supervise the work. 

In 1856 the lower school room was repaired by restoring the 
ceiling to its original height, laying a new floor, and repainting 
inside and outside. The school room was furnished with new 
and improved furniture, so that it was the most pleasant and 
convenient school room in the vicinity. 

Since that time a few changes have been made, but none of 
material importance, if we except the additions of a projection 
of the upper story, by which the hall is enlarged, and the stair- 
way made more convenient. These improvements were made 
in 1S83. 

A NEW ORGANIZATION. 

To go back again, tt) the instruction given in the Salisbury 
Academy: In 1806, after its removal to the present location, 
Mr. Joel Eastman, father of the late Hon. Joel Eastman, of 



212 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Conway, made a proposition to all interested, to the effect that 
"a company be formed who will support a school in that part 
of the house intended for an academy, at least one year, with 
the privilege of continuing it as long as they shall think proper, 
at their own risque, receiving the benefit of the tuition, which 
shall not exceed twenty-five cents per week for each scholar, 
the said company to have the management and direction of the 
school entirely to themselves, the school to be opened as soon 
as a Preceptor can be conveniently engaged." 

The district on its part accepted the proposition, and no other 
parties objected. A petition for the renewal of the charter was 
presented to the Legislature, signed by Andrew Bowers, Moses 
Eastman, Samuel Greenleaf, Joseph Bartlett, Israel W. Kelly, 
Joel Eastman, Moses Clement, Eleazer Taylor, Rev. Thomas 
Worcester, Amos Bean, Levi Bean and Nathaniel Noyes. The 
petition was answered by a new charter, December lo, 1808. 

The new corporation conducted the institution with great 
earnestness and prudence for a long period, during which time 
it gained and sustained a reputation for good scholarship and 
excellence in all its departments. Its standing was not inferior 
to the best institutions of its kind in the State. Students came 
from distant towns, and some of the most distinguished men in 
the country received their academical education in Salisbury 
Academy. 

But by degrees there came a period of decadence. Some of 
the active supporters died, others removed from the town, and 
those who were left lost their interest ; and after many years of 
success the school was suspended and the doors of the academy 
closed. 

A THIRD CHARTER.- 

A new and third attempt to maintain an academy in the town 
was made by Tristram Greenleaf, Nathaniel Bean, Jonathan H. 
Clement, Nathaniel Sawyer, Robert Smith, Thomas D. Little, 
I. N. Sawyer, Peter Whittemore, Moses Greeley and Horatio 
Merrill. They obtained a new charter in 1859, and made an 
effort to revive the spirit of the past. But high schools were 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 213 

established in all the large towns, where excellent instruction 
could be had, without personal expense, and the few well- 
endowed academies, like those at Exeter, New Hampton and 
Meriden, took those students who desired to pursue an ex- 
tended course of preparatory study. 

Shortly after its re-incorporation in 1808, Benjamin Gale, 
Esq., an enterprising and scholarly gentleman of the town, left 
a legacy of one thousand dollars to the institution. This was 
accepted by the trustees and the interest was used for the ben- 
efit of the school; but when a final suspension took place the 
fund was restored to the heirs of Mr. Gale. 

It is a matter of regret that catalogues of the school, if any 
were printed, were not preserved. A complete record of the 
pupils attending the school would have given the present gener- 
ation the names of many eminent men and women in the various 
walks of life. The editors have seen but one printed catalogue. 
That bears a date of 1852. 

A programme of an exhibition of the school, which took place 
in 1 8 19, has been preserved, and is of sufficient interest to 
occupy a place in the history of the institution and the town. 
This programme, or "Order of Exercises," is a broadside, on a 
sheet of coarse, dingy yellow, 11x18 inches, surrounded with a 
"border," and was probably considered at the time as in the 
best style of the printer's art. It reads as follows : 



SALISBURY ACADEMY. 



Order of Exercises for a Public Exhibition 
AUGUST 20. iSi^. 

FORENOON. 

1. Prayer. 

2. Oration in Latin. R. G. Eastman. 

3. Oration on T'ortitude. y. Calcf. 



214 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

4. Dialogue; Priuli and Jaffier. A. M. Qiiimby & W. P. 

Weeks. 

5. Poem ; The Portrait. P. Dodge. 

6. MUSIC. 

7. Dialogue; Triumph of Temper. E. Colby, S. Cavis, D. 

P. Smith, A. Kith-edge, D. B. Penticost, A. M. Ouiniby, 
T. C. Merrill, J. S. Elliot, P. Upham, J. St^anwood, 
Sally Pettengill, Fanny Sawyer, & Fanny West. 

8. Oration ; The moral tendency of the writings of some 

celebrated authors. B. C. Cressey. 
. 9. Dialogue on Literary Pursuits. E. F. Greejiongh & F. 
W. Greenough. 

10. MUSIC. 

11. Dialogue; Honest Auctioneer. P. Dodge, H. Shed, E. 

West, &■ Eliza N. Webster. 

12. Oration; The Fall of Bonaparte. A. Kittredge. 

13. Dialogue; The Parting of Hector and Andromache. B. C. 

Cressey, & Abigail Blaisdell. 

14. *Oration ; The Pleasures of Anticipation. J. Eastman. 

15. MUSIC. 

16. Dialogue on Duelling. A. Green, H. Greenleaf, A. M. 

Qiiimby, H. Fificld, G. W. Johnson, W. P. Weeks, 
P. Upham, Marcia Eastman, & Elizabeth J. Tozvnsend. 

17. Oration ; E. West. 

18. Dialogue; The Prize. H. Shed, P. Rolfe, D. P. Smith, 

J. S. Elliott, Nancy West & Susan P. Webster. 

19. MUSIC. 

20. Poem ; The Rose Bud. F. J. Willis. 

21. Prologue to the Dialogue, Bunker-hill. D. P. Smith. 

22. Dialogue; Bunker-hill. A. M. Quimby, H. Fifield, B. C. 

Cressey, y. Eastman, G. W. Johnson, A. Kittredge, 
W. P. Weeks, y. Calef, y. S. Elliot, Lucia Eastman, 
and Eunice Greenleaf. 

23. MUSIC. 

AFTERNOON. 

1. Oration in Greek. /. W. Kelly. 

2. Prologue to the "Search after Happiness." Mary E. 

Little. 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 215 

3. Search after Happiness. Marcia Eastman, Ann Clement, 
Hannah Bncanon, CyntJiia P. Blanehard, Sally Pettcn- 
gill, Abigail Blaisdell, Mary E. Little, and yulia 
Emerson. 

4. MUSIC. 

5. Dialogue; The Battle of Trenton. A. Green, G. W. 

jhohnson, S. Cavis, and Eliza N. Webster. 

6. *Oration on Benevolence. D. P. Smith. 

7. Dialogue; The Pedants. P. Rolfe, H. Grcenleaf, D. B. 

Pentieost, and S. Cavis. 

8. MUSIC. 

9. Dialogue; "Scene from Daranzel." P. Dodge, and B. 
C. Cressey. 

10. Poem on Novels. P. Rolfe. 

11. Dialogue; Roderic Dhu and King James. H. Shed and 

I. )V. K el ley. 

12. MUSIC. 

13. *Oration; The good effects resulting from some recent 

Political Revolutions. D. B. Pentieost. 

14. Dialogue; William Tell. A. Green, J. Calef, I. IV. 

Kelly, G. W. Johnson, S. Cavis, J. S. Elliot, E. West, 
and Elizabeth y. Totunsend. 

15. *Oration ; Sketch of the Progress of Literature. H. 

Fifield. 

16. MUSIC. 

17. Dialogue; Dr. Pangloss and Lord Duberly. y. Eastman, 

and P. Dodge. 

18. Poem. Elbridge G. East num. 

19. Dialogue; Lochiel. A. Kittridge, and W. P. Weeks. 

20. MUSIC. 

21. Dialogue; Spungc and Snarl. T. C Merrill, and D. B. 

Pentieost. 

22. Poem. A. M. Qnimby. 

23. Dialogue ; l^ajazet and Tamerlane. P. Rolfe, y. Calef, 

and T. C Merrill. 



2l6 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

24. MUSIC. 

25. *Oration on the Character of De La Fayette. A. Green. 

26. The Tears of Science. /. W. Kelly. 

27. Dialogue ; The Weathercock. H. Greenleaf, H. Shed, 

y. Eastman, H. Fifield, J. Stanwood, P. Uphani, 
Nancy J Vest, and Susan P. Webster. 

28. MUSIC. 

29. *Oration on the Progress of Refinement, with the Vale- 

dictory Addresses. H. Greenleaf. 

30. Sacred Music. 

31. Prayer. 

* Original. 
C. Spear, Printer. .. .Hanover. 



TEACHERS IN THE ACADEMY. 

It has not been possible to obtain a complete list of the 
teachers in the institution, nor to give full or extended sketches 
of many of them. There were frequent changes of instructors, 
as it was not often that sufficient compensation was afforded to 
those teachers who commanded high salaries, or were perman- 
ently employed. 

Thomas Chase, as has already been noted, was the first 
instructor, and had charge of the school when it was located on 
Garland's Hill. He was succeeded by — 

James Tappan, who was a teacher of more than ordinary 
reputation. Webster often referred to Master Tappan. 

Rev. Samuel Worcester, a native of Hollis, born Novem- 
ber I, 1770, taught district schools in Salisbury, and was one of 
the early teachers in the academy. He united with the Con- 
gregational church, of which his brother was pastor, in 1793. 
He graduated at Dartmouth in 1795, and it is probable that his 
teaching in Salisbury was during the winter vacations of his 
college years. He became pastor of the Congregational church 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 21/ 

in Fitchburg, Mass., and subsequently of the Tabernacle church 
in Salem, Mass. He was appointed Theological Professor at 
Dartmouth, but declined the position. He was Secretary of 
the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 
He died while on a visit to the Cherokee Indians, at the age of 
fifty-one years. Rutgers College conferred on him the degree 
of D. D. in 1811. 

Rev. Noah Worcester, D. D., was the eldest of a family of 
sixteen children, including Rev. Dr. Samuel Worcester, Rev. 
Thomas Worcester and Rev. Leonard Worcester. He was 
born in 1758, at Hollis ; was a shoemaker by trade; engaged in 
the battle of Bunker Hill and was also at Bennington. He 
removed to Salisbury in 1810, and occupied the Eliphalet Little 
house for three years. Though not a college graduate, he 
became eminent as a preacher, author and theologian. He 
received the degree of Master of Arts from Dartmouth, in 181 1, 
and that of D. D. from Harvard, in 18 18. While at Salisbury 
he assisted his brother in his clerical duties. It was while in 
Salisbury that he wrote his most noted work, entitled "Bible 
News," which passed through several editions. 

IcHABOD Bartlett, of whom an extended notice is given in 
the proper place in these pages, taught in 1804. 

Rev. Thomas Worcester, pastor of the church for many 
years, taught several terms; and his wife, Mrs. Deborah Wor- 
cester, was Preceptress in 1822. She was a woman of fine 
education and rare accomplishments. 

Hon. Richard PYetcher taught in 1809, and Samuel I. 
Wells, Esq., from 181 3 to 18 16, of whom extended notices are 
given elsewhere in this volume. 

Nathaniel Hazelton Carter, A. M., born at Concord, 
September 17, 1787, died at Marseilles, P" ranee, January 2, 1830. 
Graduated at Dartmouth in 181 1, taught in the academy in the 
same year; read law but never practiced; was distinguished as 
a writer and literary editor ; travelled in P2uropc, and published 
"Letters from P^urope," in two volumes. He also published 
many excellent poems. He was a Professor in "Dartmouth 
University," when the State took possession of Dartmouth 
CoUesfe. 



2l8 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Lamson Carter, of whom we have very little knowledge, 
taught in 1815. 

Stephen Bean, son of Joshua and Lydia (Brown) Bean, born 
at Brentwood, April 4, 1772; died at Boston, December 10, 
1825 ; graduated at Dartmouth, 1798; taught soon after gradu-' 
ation, read law, and practiced in Boston. Married, May 4, 1808, 
Susan, daughter of Thomas Hubbard, 

Rev. Benjamin Huntoon taught from 1817 to 18 19, nearly 
three years. (See Genealogy.) 

Rev. Daniel Fitts, D. D., born at Sandown, May 28, 1795 ; 
graduated at Dartmouth in 18 18; taught from 18 19 to 1822. 
He studied theology, and for forty years was a successful 
preacher. Married Caroline Sawyer. 

Zachariah Batchelder, born at Beverly, Mass, February 
4> 1796; graduated at Dartmouth in 1821 ; taught in 1822, read 
law with Samuel I. Wells, Esq., practiced in Chichester, in 
1827, and removed to Wolfeborough. 

W. Bailey taught in 18 13. 

Henry Greenleaf taught in 1822. 

Caleb Stetson taught in 1825-26. 

Henry Fitts. 

William Claggett taught in 1826-27. 

Alfred Kittredge, son of Dr. Jonathan and Apphia (Wood- 
ward) Kittredge, born at Canterbury, October 22, 1805; grad- 
uated at Dartmouth in 1827 and taught in 182S. 

Caleb B. Kittredge, taught in 1829-1832. 

Rev. B. F. Foster taught in 1838-39. (See Ecclesiastical.) 

Charles T. Berry taught in 1840; was a native of Pittsfield 
and a graduate of Dartmouth College. 

Elbridge Gerry Emery taught in 1842-43. 

David Dimond graduated at Dartmouth College in 1842 and 
taught in 1843. 

Caleb P. Smith. (See Genealogy.) 

William S. Spaulding, A. M., graduated at Dartmouth 
College in 1842 and taught in 1844-45; became a Congrega- 
tional clergyman and settled in Newburyport, Mass. 

S. C. Noyes. 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 219 

J. H. Upton. 

— Clark. 

Hon. William M. Pingree. (See Genealogy.) 

Rev. E. S. Little. (See Genealogy.) 
' Dr. J. Q. A. French. (See Genealogy.) 

Dr. Crockett, son of Dr. Ephraim Crockett, of Sanbornton. 

D. B. Penticost. 

Rev. E. D. Eldridge. (See Ecclesiastical.) 

John A. Kilhurn taught in 1851; afterwards a lawyer at 
Fisherville, where he died. 

John W. Simonds, born in Franklin, ]\Iay 10, 1829, was the 
only son of John and Betsey (Merrill) Simonds. His early 
advantages for an education were limited to home instruction, 
the district school, and one term nominally at the Instructors' 
School, at Franklin. The summer months were spent in labor 
on his father's farm. At the age of fourteen he began his college 
preparatory course, graduated at Bowdoin in 1854, and received 
the Master's degree in due course. While in college he taught 
district schools, and acquired a good reputation as a disciplin- 
arian and instructor. His first experience in a high grade 
school was during the winter of 1852-53, in which he met with 
great success. After leaving college he married Mary W. 
Clement, who assisted him in his professional labors. He was 
Principal of the Fisherville High School for three years. In 
1857 he was chosen Principal of the New England Christian 
Institute, then just established at Andover. He occupied that 
position for fourteen years. In 1871 he was appointed State 
Superintendent of Public Schools, and was reappointed in 1873. 
He was subsequently elected Superintendent of Schools in 
Milford, Mass. In 1882 he was Principal of Burr and Benton 
Seminary, at Manchester, Vt., a school of high standing in 
that State. He has recently been elected President of the 
University of Dakota, located at Vermilion. Mr. Simonds has 
been repeatedly invited to many other positions of honor and 
usefulness. 

John R. Eastman was born July 29, 1836, on Ikech Hill, in 
Andover; was the son of Royal F. Eastman; attended the dis- 



220 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

trict school and the Andover Academy, when not at work on 
the farm, and began to teach school when seventeen years old. 
He taught in Wilmot, Danbury, Weare, Beverly, Mass.. and in 
Salisbury, in all eleven terms. He taught the district school 
at Salisbury "South Road," during the winter terms of 1860-61 
and 1861-62, and the academy for the fall term of 1861. He 
entered the Scientific Department of Dartmouth College in 
i860, and in 1862 graduated at the head of his class. On 
examination he was appointed assistant in the United States 
Naval Observatory, at Washington, D. C, in November, 1862, 
and promoted to Professor of Mathematics, U. S. Navy, with 
the rank of Lieutenant, in February, 1865. The degree of 
Ph. D. was conferred upon him by Dartmouth College in 1877. 
Since 1862 he has been actively engaged in astronomical work, 
and has now the rank of Commander, U. S. N. He married 
Mary Jane, daughter of Samuel A. Ambrose, of Boscawen. 

SOCIAL LIBRARY. 

Early in the year 1794, several of the citizens of Salisbury 
agreed to organize a voluntary association for the purpose of 
establishing and sustaining a library. The first regular meet- 
ing was held on the 27th of March, at the house of Rev. Mr. 
Worcester. Col. Ebenezer Webster was chosen chairman, and 
Andrew Bowers, clerk. The matter was from time to time 
discussed, and meetings were occasionally held to devise plans 
to accomplish the object. At length a petition was pre- 
sented to the General Court for an Act of Incorporation, with 
the right to hold funds for the benefit of the institution. A 
charter was granted in 1798, the corporators being Ebenezer 
Webster, Luke Wilder, Andrew Bowers, Reuben True, and 
John C. Gale. The extent of the capital allowed was one 
thousand dollars, in personal estate. All who made contribu- 
tions to the society were members, and authorized to exercise 
a voice in its management. 

At one of the early meetings of the proprietors of the library, 
on the first Monday in March, 1799, the following articles were 
adopted for the regulation of the institution : 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 



221 



1. Every Proprietor shall set his name to this, or such articles as the Society 
shall adopt, before he has any further privileges in the library, and as heretofore a 
right in the library shall be estimated at three dollars. A Proprietor by paying 
more than three dollars, e.xclusive of the annual ta.x, may have his privilege in- 
creased in proportion to what he shall pay. 

2. A committee of three persons shall be annually chosen by the Society, and 
said committee shall lay out the Society's money for the preservation and enlarge- 
ment of the library, as they shall judge the interest of the Society requires.* 

The names of the early owners as far as the records show, are — 



Thomas Worcester, 
Luke Wilder, 
Ebenezer Webster, 
John C. Gale, 
Theophilus Runlet, 
Leonard Judkins, 
Joel Eastman, 
Stephen Sawyer, 
Andrew Bowers, 
John Webster, 
Stephen Webster, 
Robert Smith, 
Joseph Downs, 
Winthrop Fifield, 
Stephen Greenleaf, 
Reuben True, 
Moses West, 
Jonathan P. Webster, 
William C. Little, 
Caleb Judkins, 
Theodore Gushing, 
Moses Eastman, 
Benjamin Whittemore, 
lienjamin Whittemore, jr., 
Henry Elkins, 
Moses Sawyer, jr., 
Samuel I. Wells, 
Amos Fifield, 
Lyman Hawley, 
Benjamin Huntoon, 
John Taylor, 
Thomas R. White, 
Thomas R. Greenleaf, 
John Smith, 
Elias P. Smith, 
Samuel Allen, 

•The rules were numerous, reaching the 
that the books shall ever become private 
Proprietors. 



John Sweatt, 
Benjamin Pettengill, 
Amos Pettengill, 
John Collins, 
Phinehas Eastman, 
Peter Whittemore, 
Joseph [ name not legible,] 
John [name not legible,] 
Edward Quimby, 
Edward West, 
Nathaniel Greely, 
Joseph Abbott, 
Isaac Blaisdell, 
Benjamin [ name not legible,] 
Benjamin Pettengill, jr., 
William Calef, 3d, 
Samuel C. Bartlett, 
[name not legible,] Webster, 
Parker Noyes, 
Joseph Wardwell, 
Moses Greeley, 
John White, 
Israel W. Kelly, 
Joseph Bartlett, 
-Samuel Quimby, 
Stephen Fellows, 
Richard [name not legible,] 
|ohn B. Smith, 
John Calef, 
Daniel Smith, 
Ezekiel Colby, 
William Parsons, 
Mary Pettengill, 
John S. Winter, 
Christopher Page. 



number of twenty; the final one forbids 
property without the consent of the 



222 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

For many years the annual meetings were held at the resi- 
dences of the members and the requisite officers chosen ; but 
we are not able to find a complete record. A few names are 
given. Andrew Bowers served as clerk until 1803. I" March, 
1852, the society met at Smith's Temperance House, and chose 
Stephen Fellows, chairman, Gilbert Eastman and T. D. Little, 
committee. At this date there were 474 volumes in the library 
and ninety-two cents in the treasury. From this time to 
March 9, 1859, when the last meeting was held, apparently not 
much interest was manifested. The same board was annually 
elected. At this time the number of books was 496. The 
treasurer reported cash on hand, March i, 1855, $1.55; cash 
for taxes, $1.25; paid for two books, $1.50; cash on hand, 
March 7, 1859, $^-30. 

Seldom did the funds of the society exceed ten dollars. As 
fast as any money came into the treasury it was expended for 
books. It was to this library that Mr. Webster referred when 
he said that his early reading was gathered from a small circu- 
lating library. 

LITERARY ADELPHI. 

This society was organized June 25, 181 3, when the academy 
was in the height of its prosperity. It was composed largely of 
members of the academy, who generally conducted its literary 
exercises. It is said to have been founded by the following 
named persons : 

William liaily, Joseph Walker, Trueworthy Flanders, 

Benjamin Huntoon, Daniel Morse, Joseph Connor, 

Peter Bartlett, Moses Pettengill, Eliphalet Webster, 

Jeremiah Elkins, Joseph Bartlett, David Clark, 

Isaac Colby, jr., Carlton Chase, William Shed, 

Marvin Gates, David Page, Samuel Watkins. 
William T. Haddock, 

The preamble is as follows : 

Convinced of the benefits of social intercourse and reciprocal friendship, anx- 
ious to derive all the advantages from society which mutual confidence, an inter- 
change of ideas and examination of opinions are calculated to afford, we have 



EDUCATIONAL HISTOKV 



223 



thouglit proper to form ourselves into an association for the purpose of literary 
improvement, the cultivation of friendship and the promotion of morality and 
virtue. 

The following, among many others, were provisions of the 
Constitution : 

The officers shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Inspector of Com- 
positions, and a Treasurer. The stated exercises shall be two orations; one to open 
and the other to close the meeting ; one extemporaneou.s, and one written dispute, 
and one dissertation. These exercises shall be assigned by the Secretary, and the 
questions for dispute read at the meeting preceding the performance; when in the 
opinion of the society any cnniposftion shall be worthy of preservation, a copy shall 
be deposited with the society. 

A number of these compositions were printed but, so far as 
we are able to learn, none are now in existence. During term 
time meetings were held every Wednesday evening. For non- 
attendance the members were fined. Those only who excelled 
as scholars and sustained a good moral character were consid- 
ered eligible as candidates for admission to the society. Two 
dissenting votes forbade their entrance. Upon admission each 
candidate paid to the society a fee of seventy-five cents. Hon- 
orary membership was allowed. The constitution authorized 
public exhibitions for the performance of such original exercises 
as they thought proper to give. The following names are 
recorded as the list of members : 



*Thomas Worcester. 
•Andrew 1 Sowers, 
♦Joseph Bartlett, 
*Moses Kastman, 
Joseph Wardwell, 
Charles r>. Haddock, 
lienjamin Kastman, 
John I>. Abbott, 
Stephen Coodhue, jr.. 
Richard Fletcher, 
•Henjamin Woodbury. 
James Creely, 
Aaron Foster. 
Oilman Merrill, 
John Taylor, 
A. H. Simpson, 
James E. Seamans, 



Samuel Whitney, 
Bela Adams. 
David C. Proctor, 
Daniel .Stickney, 
Willard Sayles, 
Levi Hibard, 
Jcdediah lloyt, jr.. 
Rowel Colby, jr., 
John 15all, 
Henry Pond, 
Isr.iei W. Kelly, 
Levi Manuel, 
Nathan S. Colby, 
Samuel Hill, 
(icorge Richardson, 
Charles Robbins, 
Thomas G. Buswell, 



Samuel I-ailey. 
Robert ."^niith, 
Stephen Sanborn, 
»Samuel L Wells, 
Isaac Jones, 
Simeon Uuckncll, 
Edward Rollins, 
'I'homas J^rown, 
Stephen Sawyer, 
John I'ifield, 
Charles French, 
Kbenezer C. Tracy, 
Amos Webster, 
Asa Mead, 
Levi Hadlock, jr., 
John Little. 
Jesse Sanborn, 



224 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



Nathan Crosby, 
James O. Adams, 
P. Robinson, 
William Kelley, 
William C. Thompson, 
John Jameson, 
Amos Bean, 
Edward West, jr., 
Arthur Latham, 
Pearson Rolfe, 
Henry Greenleaf, 
William G. Webster, 
Aaron Greene, 
Leonarcl W. Noyes, 
Caleb P. Bailey, 
Benjamin Noyes, 
Caleb Greenough, 
William P. Wells, 
Plumber Dodge, 

* Honorary members. 



Samuel Woodbury, 
Joseph P. Stevens, 
John Bartlett, 
Asa Robbins, 
Benjamin O. Adams, 
Jacob Little, 
Joseph B. Eastman, 
John R. Sandborn, 
Joshua L. Weare, jr., 
*John White, 
*John Townsend, 
Benjamin Rolfe, 
Ezra Eastman, 
William Claggett, 
Joel Eastman, jr., 
IMoses Calef, 
Daniel Fitz, 
David P. Smith, 
Perley Dodge, 



Samuel Huntington, 
George Pomroy, 
T. J. Carter, 
Stephen G. Easton, 
John Calef, 
D. B. Pancost, 
T. Gilman Worcester, 
Joseph W. Daniels, 
Noah Worcester, 
John Proctor, 
John Jervis, 
Aaron Kitridge, 
Abel M. Quimby, 
Hiram Fifield, 
Albert Kelly, 
Enoch Colby, 
Benjamin C. Cressey, 
*Thomas Greenleaf. 



There were without doubt other members, but they are not 
known. Very soon after the organization these gentlemen con- 
tributed sums ranging from seventy-five cents to one dollar and 
a half, for the purpose of forming a library. 

That some of the students had a leaning towards the gentler 
sex is shown by the fate of the following topic for discussion : 
"Which has the greatest influence upon society, women or 
money.'" Decided for the former. The subjects for written 
disputes at this meeting were, "Is lying ever justifiable.'" de- 
cided in the negative; "Have slaves been a greater detriment 
than benefit to the United States.'" decided in the affirmative. 

The last meeting of the society was held in the middle^of 
June, 1 8 19. 



CHAPTER XV. 



EARLY INDIAN HISTORY. 

" Lo! the poor Indian, whose untutored mind 
Sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind, 
His soul proud Science never taught to stray 
I'"ar as the solar walk or milky way. 
Vet simple nature to iiis hope has given, 
IJehind the cloud-topp'd hill, an humble heaven." 

No more difficult ta.sk has occupied the pen of poet or orator, 
the theologian or philosopher, than that of describing the charac- 
teristics of the American Indian. How successful or how vain 
have been all efforts to civilize or christianize him, let other 
history tell. After two and a half centuries of studied devotion 
to his welfare, he remains an Indian. "Soon we shall hear the 
roar of the last wave that will settle over him forever." 

THE PRINCIPAL TRIBES. 

At the first settlement of New England there were five prin- 
cipal tribes of Indians: 

I. The Pequots of Connecticut. 
II. The Narragansetts of Rhode Island. 

III. The I'awkunnawkutts, in the southeastern part of Mas- 
sachusetts. 

IV. The Massachusetts, inhabiting the country about the 
bay of that name. 

V. The Pawtucketts, inhabiting the country adjacent to the 
Pawtuckett Falls. Subject to the control of this latter tribe 
were several smaller ones. 

The Penacooks occupied the country about Concord. There 
was another tribe in Canada known as the St. Francois, who 
frequented the country now New Hampshire, and occasionally 
15 



226 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Massachusetts, especially the valley of the Merrimack. The 
Merrimack river and its intervales were their highway. To this 
latter tribe are due most of the depredations and massacres 
from which the early settlers of New Hampshire suffered. 

It is understood that the Penacooks were friendly to the 
whites till the real or fancied outrages committed upon them 
gave them reason for retaliation. Soon after the massacre at 
Dover the Penacooks went to St. Francis, Canada, and joined 
those Indians, and for seventy years after their departure they 
continued their raids upon the white settlers in this section, 
till the peace of 1755. 

CHRISTO. 

Among the Penacooks were some who had been converted 
by the Apostle Eliot, at Namaskeag, or Amoskeag Falls. One 
of these was Christo, the English name being Christian, often 
called Christi. His cabin was on th» banks of a small stream 
emptying into the Merrimack, just below Amoskeag Falls. 
Here he lived by hunting and fishing, and was on the most 
friendly terms with the whites as late as 1744. Being suspected 
of assisting the hostile Indians in one of their battles with the 
settlers, his cabin was laid in ashes. In 1746 he retired from 
the presence of the whites in New Hampshire, joined the St. 
Francois tribe and became hostile to the settlers. 

PLAUSAWA AND SABBATIS. 

In 1747 Christo assisted Plausawa and Sabbatis, at Epsom, 
in the capture of Mrs. McCoy and in the burning of her house. 
He probably died at St. Francis in 1757. Plausawa and Sab- 
batis, two of the St. Francois tribe, made frequent excursions to 
this section and were always in company. These two notables 
were in peace distrusted and in war hated; and the governors 
of Massachusetts and New Hampshire gave them much greater 
consideration, in a human view, than they were worthy to re- 
ceive. We shall say enough of these men in what follows to 
enable the reader to form a just estimate of their character. 
The name Sabbatis is Indian for the French Jeati-Baptiste, or 



INDIAN HISTORY. 22/ 

the English JoJui Baptist. Plansawa, or more correctly Plawn- 
saiva, is the Indian or French name Francois, the St. Francois 
tribe using P instead of F and L instead of R, in their attempts 
to pronounce the names given them by their Jesuit priests. 

BOWEN AND MORRILL. 

In 1753 Plausawa and Sabbatis were both slain, either in the 
town of Salisbury or Boscawen, (Stevenstown or ContoocookJ 
there is no means at this late day of telling which ; or whether 
their slayers, Peter Bowen and John (or Jacob or Henry) Mor- 
rill, were residents of one town or the other; nor is there any- 
thing to show whether they were slain by Bowen and Morrill 
in self-defence, or wantonly. They were buried in the town of 
Salisbury, under Indian Bridge, this name being given the 
bridge because the two Indians were buried there. The ne.xt 
spring after the burial their bodies became exposed, and they 
were taken up and buried somewhere else, perhaps on the other 
side of the Merrimack river, in what is now Northfield, then 
Canterbury ; but no one knows to this day the exact resting- 
place of these two Indian freebooters, any more than we know 
the exact burial place of Moses. We give hereafter all the his- 
tory, the different published accounts that have come to hand. 

Bowen lived in what is now Franklin for several years after 
this, his dwelling being just a few rods south of the Burleigh 
mansion. Its remains still exist. What became of him no 
man can tell. It is the tradition that he feared the avenger 
and removed to some distant section of the country, and under 
an assumed name spent the remaining days of his life. Morrill 
lived and died in Salisbury. He was a soldier of the Revolu- 
tion and participated in many of its battles. The three towns 
of Boscawen, Salisbury and Canterbury, including what is now 
Northfield, were the theatre of this singular tragedy. 

The Arosagunticook, or St. Francois Indians, pretended to 
have accepted Christianity from the Jesuits. They had little of 
the form of godliness and none of the power or spirit. Since 
1749 this tribe had been on friendly terms with the settlers in 
Contoocook, Canterbury and Stevenstown, and they came and 



228 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

went at their pleasure, and were kindly and hospitably treated, 
it being the desire of all the inhabitants to give them no cause 
of offence. These two above named were frequent visitors. 

The settlers of the Connecticut valley were at this time mak- 
ing preparations to occupy the rich meadows of the great "Ox- 
Bow," at Haverhill, and Newbury, Vt., ascending the Connecti- 
cut from "Charlestown, No. 4." The Indians, jealous of what 
they regarded as an encroachment upon their own domain, 
threatened retaliation. Sabbatis and Plausawa, who had been 
about in the region of Salisbury, receiving the friendly assuran- 
ces and hospitality of the settlers, suddenly slyed away, stealing 
two negro slaves, one belonging" to a Mr. Miles and the other 
to a Mr. Lindsey, of Canterbury. One of the negroes made his 
escape, while the other was taken to Crown Point and sold to a 
French officer. The hypocrisy, treachery and dissimulation of 
Sabbatis and Plausawa irritated the settlers. After stealing 
the two slaves, Sabbatis and Plausawa revisited the settlements 
to sell their furs, etc., and stayed for some time about Pena- 
cook, Contoocook, Canterbury and Stevenstown. They had 
the audacity to claim hospitality from the very people in Can- 
terbury from whom they had stolen the slaves, and in the ab- 
sence of the master of one house had threatened his wife with 
personal violence. Such boldness and criminal daring moved 
the fierce anger of Mr. Lindsey, and Bowen and Morrill were 
men who very naturally sympathized with him. 

Hon. George W. Nesmith thinks that Bowen and Morrill had 
heard of the insolence and threats of the Indians, and went 
over to Canterbury to visit Miles and Lindsey, the owners of 
the stolen slaves ; and in order to disarm the savages made use 
of occupe (rum), and while the Indians were dazed with drink 
secretly withdrew the charges from their guns and prepared to 
meet their insolent threats as they deserved. Bowen and Mor- 
rill knew no fear, and it was said "had as lief fight an Indian as 
to eat when hungry." The next day, or soon after, these two 
savages visited Bowen and Morrill on this side of the river, and 
after a night's debauch, when on the way to another part of the 
settlement, their savage instincts overcame their cunning and 



INDIAN HISTORY. 229 

they attempted to shoot Bowen with their unloaded guns. The 
two settlers took summary vengeance upon them for what they 
had done and what they intended to do. Hearing in mind the 
desire of the settlers to keep peace with the savages, wh» had 
dashed out the brains of innocent babes who fell into their 
hands, for some real or fancied wrong or for no wrong at all, 
and knowing that these two savages in return for hospitality 
had stolen the two slaves, and that these wild men of the forest 
had threatened vengeance upon the unprotected wife of Mr. 
Lindsey, we think Bowen and Morrill did what we should have 
done under the same conditions. But to the facts: 

COURSE OF THE GOVERNOR. 

Sabbatis and Plausawa were killed in a time of peace between 
France and England, and although one of the slaves was bought 
by a French officer, who must have known that the Indians had 
kidnapped him, rumors of murder went abroad, and Governor 
Shirley, of Massachusetts, was apprehensive that the Indians 
would take revenge upon settlers along the frontier. The act 
of Bowen and Morrill became an inter-colonial question, and an 
earnest and memorable correspondence between Governor Shir- 
ley and Governor Wentworth grew out of it. Legislative action 
was resorted to and the arrest of Bowen and Morrill caused 
general excitement throughout the community. Many i)eople 
will remember the arrest of fugitive slaves in Boston, during 
the presidencies of Fillmore and Pierce, and the excitement it 
caused. Governor Shirley began the correspondence. He sent 
a letter to Governor Wentworth, as follows : 

15osru.N, February 4th, 1754. 
Sir: 

Your excellency may remember my letter to you, dated 17th of September last, 
wherein I acquainted you with an account we had of a barbarous Afurther said to 
be committed within the Proriuce of JVe-w Ham/'shire, upon two Indians of a tribe 
in amity with the English. I wa.s afraid it had then come to the Knowledge of 
the Indians, & that complaint would have been made at the conference, but no 
notice was taken of it then. I have this day received a letter from C'apt. I.ithgow, 
of Fort Kichmund, [in Maine,] advising me that it is now come to their knowledge 
ii. that they are determined to rn'enge the murther. 

I shall send your excellency copy of his letter so far as relates to this affair. It 



230 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

will probably be attended [with disastrous] consequences to the Frontier, of one 
or both of the Provinces, if this murther be not detected & punished. I will send 
Col. Minot who gave me the first information, & desire him to obtain all further 
information possible, cS: transmit it by next Post, until when your e.xcellency has 
some knowledge of the Persons concerned so as to be able to secure them, I doubt 
not you will think it prudent to keep the affair as private as may be. 

I am with great respect, Sir your Excy's most humb'l and most obedient sev't, 

W. SHIRLEY. 

On the 9th of the same month Governor Shirley sent another 
letter to Governor Wentworth, urging that "justice be done to 
the Indians in this unhappy affair." 

The action of Governor Shirley was influenced by the affi- 
davits of Thomas Barret and Ephraim Jones, and by one Elea- 
zer Melvin, three citizens of Massachusetts, who had been visit- 
ing in the vicinity of Stevenstown, and had interviewed Bowen 
in regard to the fate of these two Indians. 

AFFIDAVITS OF THOMAS BARRET AND EPHRAIM JONES. 

Thomas Barret & Ephraim Jones, both of lawful age testify & declare that in 
the month of August 1753 being in the town of Rumford in the Province of New 
Hampshire at the house of Henry Lovejov. 

That two Indians one named Sabbatis & the other Plansawa came to said Con- 
toocook about the beginning of June & having the value of about two hundred 
Pounds Old Tenr in Peavers & other effects; that said Sabbatis being known to be 
one of the two Indians who took two Negroes at that settlement the year before & 
carried one of them to Canada, the other making his escape, the said Bowen pro- 
cured a gallon of Rum from Rumford & he with one or two others, whose names I 
do not remember gave said Indians rum very freely & took an opportunity to draw 
the charges out of the Indian's [guns] without their knowledge & then went with 
them into the woods & getting some distance apard said Bowen had an engagement 
with said Sabbatis who it is said flashed his gun at him & the sd Bowen struck his 
hatchet in sd Indian Head then chopped him several time in the Back & afterwards 
with a knife stabbed him to death. The other Indian coming up to him begged him 
that he would not kill him but sd Bowen without speaking to him struck him on the 
head & killed him on the spot & leaving him by the Path side till next morning it is 
said that Bowen with his son as it is supposed went & dug a hole by the Path side 
& threw them into it & covered them with earth but so shallow that the dogs or 
other creatures uncovered them & the bones have often been seen since. 

THOMAS BARRET, 
EPHRAIM JONES. 
Middlesex ss. 

Concord Feb 9, 1754. 

Then the above Thomas Barret & Ephraim Jones came before me the subscrib- 
er & made oath to the truth of the foregoing declarations. 

JAMES Ml'SOT, /us/H-g of the Peace. 



INDIAN HISTORY. 23 I 

Eleazer Melvin of lawful age testifieth & declares that he heard the substance 
of the foregoing Declaration or to the same purport in Aug last from Mr. Lovejoy 
& some others & further declares that about the same time in conversation with sd 
Bowen he asked him concerning the sd Indians whether they were certainly dead & 
he answered he would warrant it & that they never would do any more mischief to 
the En[;lish or to that effect iS: if he killed them he did it in his own defence as he 
could prove. 

ELKAZEK MELVIN. 

Governor Shirley forwarded these affidavits to Governor 
Wentvvorth, who immediately sent up and had Bowen and 
Morrill arrested, taken to Portsmouth and confined there in 
jail. The time assigned for their trial was Thursday, the 21st 
of March, 1754. 

The acts of Bowen and Morrill were doubtless justified in the 
eyes of the settlers who stood on the frontier and defended, as 
best they could, their persons and their property from savage 
violence and destruction. Not so the two governors, who sat 
by their firesides, feeling no alarm for their persons or property. 

Quite a party from Contoocook, Stevenstown and Canterbury 
went to Portsmouth to be present at the trial. They were de- 
termined, like the Cornish men, "to know the reason why" 
their neighbors, Bowen and Morrill, must die. They were not 
at the trial however but put in an appearance before the trial. 
During the night before the court met, about one hundred 
stalwart men, armed with axes, crowbars and other instruments, 
broke open the jail, knocked the irons from the limbs of the 
prisoners, set them at liberty and conducted them back to their 
homes. The most noted of the men who made this raid upon 
the Portsmouth jail was Simeon Ames, of Canterbury. There 
were several who were afterwards well known in Salisbury — 
Jacob Hancock, whose son and grandson lived and died in 
Franklin ; Edward Blanchard, the grandfather of Mrs. Stephen 
Kendrick, and Lindsey Perkins, the ancestor of some of the 
Perkins family who have lived in that vicinity. 

GOVERNOR WKNTWOKTH's MKSSAGE. 

The Governor brought this affair to the notice of the Coun- 
cil promptly on the following morning: 



232 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

[ From the Council Records.] 

His excellency acquainted the Council that the high sheriff of the Province had 
informed him that at two of the clock in the morning of this present day a number 
of persons to the amount of one hundred or more made an attempt upon the 
Province Gaol with axes, iron crows & broke open the doors of the prison & res- 
cued the prisoners indicted for the murther of two Indians said to be killed at or 
near Contoocook Vis — John alias Anthony Bowen & John Morrel & aided & assis- 
ted them the said Bowen & Morrel to escape — His Excellency then desired the 
Council what steps they thot necessary or proper to be taken in the affair in order 
to the apprehending the said Bowen or Morrel or either of them & bringing the 
persons who broke open the Gaol as aforesaid or was aiding or assisting in the said 
breach or rescous the Council apprehended that such a number of persons as were 
supposed to be the authors of the rescous must be many of them known & as it is 
suggested that some of them are known & may be brought to justice without offer- 
ing any reward — liut with respect to the two Prisoners Bowen & Morrel that his 
excellency be advised and desired to issue a Proclamation offering a reward of two 
hundred pounds (Jld Tenr to any person or persons that shall apprehend the sd 
Bowen & the like sum of ;^200 in Old Tenr to any person or persons that shall 
apprehend the sd. Morrel & bring them or either of them to his Majesty's Gaol in 
Portsmo & all necessary charges in bringing the said prisoners or either of them to 
the said Gaol. 



WHAT THE OTHER SIDE HAD TO SAY. 

The citizens of Contoocook, Stevenstown and Canterbury 
had a little something to say on the subject, as well as the two 
governors, and Col. Joseph Blanchard, a Justice of the Peace in 
Bedford, took the testimony of the parties who knew the facts 
which led to the killing of the two Indians. 

TESTIMONY OF ELIZABETH MILES AND MRS. LINDSEY. 



Elizabeth Miles Wife of Josiah Miles of Canterbury in the Province of New 
Hampshire Testifies & Says — That some time in the month of May 1752 two St Fran- 
cis Indians (as they called themselves) named Sabbattis & Christo came to Canter- 
bury Sabbattis made his General Lodging at the said Josiah's House for Eight or 
Ten Days & was Treated with all Possible Friendship and Courtesy, Notwithstand- 
ing the said Sabbattis often Discovered a Restless & Malicious Disposition & 
Several Times ( Her husband being absent ) with Insulting threats put her in very 
great fear. Constantly kept a long knife Naked in his hand and on seeing any man 
come towards the House (of which he kept a constant watch) arm'd himself — 
That the evening after he went away a Negro man of the said Josiah's was taken 



INDIAN HISTORY. 233 

(named Peer) and another belonging to James Lindsey of Canterbury aforesaid 
Named Tom and carried away said Peer of the value of five hundred pounds Old 
Tenor at the least. 

That the said I'eer about three days after return'd pinion'd «S: Pound with Indian 
Lines and said that Sabbattis and Christo had taken them and that by accident he 
made his Escape. 

That some time in the month of May 1753 she was going to the field and an 
Indian (named Plansaway) spoke to her behind a Fence & asked for her husband 
who was there at work close by, her husband enquired what company he had and 
he said Sabbattis, he enquired what he came for or how he dare come (meaning 
Sabbattis) he evaded an answer, her husband Desired him to go into the house 
(being vehemeatly suspicious they were designed for Further Mischief ) where he 
kept him that night and urged the appearance of Sabbattis. Plansaway said he 
was afraid that he or Lindsey would kill him for stealing their negroes the year 
Before. 

That after assurance that if he made his appearance he should not be hurt. 
Next day searching in the woods found him and after a parley he came in — 

The wife of James Lindsey a near neighbor, hearing the Indians was there came 
to the house (the Englishmen were all gone out to work) and finding Sabbattis 
there said Lindsey's wife urged his ingratitude that after he had received so much 
kindness at their house to commit such a Villanous Act as to Rob her of her slave 
with some Few more words to the same Purpose Both the Indians immediately 
armed themselves with their guns Sabbattis with a long knife and Plansaway with 
a Hatchet and with a furious Gesture Insulted her holding the Hatchet over her 
head making attempts as if he would strike and told her if she said one word more 
about it he would split her brains out if he died for it the ne.xt minute — Sabbattis 
went out to her husband in the field and told him that if he ever see the .said Lind- 
seys wife any more he would kill her be the event what it would (as her husband 
then told her) that the said Sabbattis insisted that the said negro was Lawful Plun- 
der the Deponent sold the said Indians two shirts & happened to see them when 
they shirted and there was next [their] skin Tyed a Number of small Metump Lines 
not such as are usually made for Tying Packs — a collar of a Length about suf- 
ficient to go around a Mans Neck and as she then apprehended was what is called 
Captive Lines — 

That the Deponent and her husband frequently seeing them uncommon Lines 
Asked what Business .Sabbattis and he could have there as they had not brought 
their packs for trade — at length I'lansaway said he had a kinsman (named .Sabbat- 
tis ) who had at Cape Sable killed an Indian and that they agreed for his Redemp- 
tion (being held by them ) to pay five hundred pounds to get an English Slave. 

That Sabbattis being his Namesake offered to assist him in the Redemption and 
said the Hunting was best this way. 

That the Indian must be released by the money or other ways (by Summer) or 
he must be put to Death. 

Canterbury May 21st 1754 

Before JOSEPH PI.ANCHARD 

Jus of Peace. 



234 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

In March, after receiving Governor Shirley's letter of Febru- 
ary 4th, Governor Wentworth sent a special message to the 
House of Representatives, as follows : 

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assemlily : 

The breaking down of the doors of the Provincial Gaol & setting at liberty two 
Criminals Indicted for murther, in the most insulting and insolent manner, is so 
well known and particular circumstances attending the tumultuous outrage of the 
people that committed the fact, are so clearly evident to the respective members of 
the Legislature that I need not take up any part of your time to inform you of the 
incidents attending it. But Gentlemen, To show your abhorence and detestation 
of a crime so apparently destructive of government in general is injurious to socie- 
ty, so dangerous to our Constitution, so heniously aggravated, & even committed 
contemptuously during the Session of his Majesty's Supreme Court of Judicature, 
merits your immediate attention, & I do in the most pressing terms recommend the 
consideration of this insult on the authority of Government, which threatens noth- 
ing less than total subversion of that Government his Majesty has been graciously 
pleased to Establish, as not worthy of your first care, and to which all other public 
concerns must, and ought to give place. Therefore that the honor, welfare, safety 
& peace of the Government may be preserved, as well as the guilt of blood re- 
moved from the Government, your assistance is required that the perpetrators, favor- 
ers, advisers or those that have been in any ways aiding or assisting in committing 
this hard crime may be brought to condeyn punishment & Such a Law Enacted as 
may prevent calamitys of the like nature for the future, otherwise I shall not think 
my presence safe in attending to the Kings business, & an end must be put to the 
administration of Government, until a representation can be laid before his Majesty 
for his further direction & commands herein. 

B. WENTWORTH. 

Council Chamber in Portsmo, March 26, 1754. 

After the reception of this high-sounding message of the 
Governor, on the next day after the adjournment, in the fore- 
noon, the Council and House met in the House of Representa- 
tives and had a conference relating to the breaking open the 
prison at Portsmouth. The Journal of the Council and Assem- 
bly, of March 27, 1754, has the following: 

The council took under consideration the subject matter of his Excellency's 
message to the House of yesterday the same having been communicated to the 
Board by the House, and are of the opinion, that 'tis necessary to make the utmost 
scrutiny into that affair, and therefore Ordered that the Secretary forthwith Issue 
Sumons directed to the High Sherif or his Deputy to summon the Several Inhold- 
ers on the road between Chester & Portsmo where a number of persons who hav- 
ing assembled in a tumultous manner, had the day preceeding the riotous Breaking 
of the Province Gaol stoped, and to any other I'erson or Persons that they be 



INDIAN HISTORY. 235 

thought capable of giving any acct of the Persons connected in the before mention- 
ed riot. 

LETTER FROM GOV. SHIRLEY. 

On the first day of April following, Governor Shirley sent 
the following letter to Governor Wentworth : 

Boston, April i, 1754. 
Sir: 

I am favor'd with two of your Excellency's Letters by the Post before this ; and 
considering that part of your Excellency's Letter of the 22d of last month which 
relates to the riotous &^ violent Breaking open your Prison & carrying off the 
Prisoners indicted for the murther of the two St Francois Indians. I would sub- 
mit it to your Excellency's consideration whether it would not be of service for 
your (Government to grant a Present to some of the nearest Relatives of the de- 
ceased Indians for willing off the Blood as they term it; Which may possibly have 
a' good effect, and in some measure soften the Resentments the whole tribe have of 
this great injury ; for the like method used by this Government after the murther 
of the Indians at Wiscassett had sucess for preventing a war at that time; and 
further I apprehend it may be of some advantage for alleviating the wrong done 
the Indians, to set before them the Provocation given their men by the Indians 
carrying off the two Negroes belonging to them (& selling one of them at Crown 
Point ) at a time when they were rescued kindly by the English & thus themselves 
made a show of Friendship; Tho' this can by no means justify the barbarous act 
of the murther; It might likewise be proper to put the Indians in mind of the 
murther committed by them upon the English men near Merrimack River all which 
taken together is in full Reprisal of the wrong done them by the English, notwith- 
standing which. That it is your Excellency's full purpose upon the recovery jf the 
Prisoners (for which you are using all proper means) that they shall be brought to 
a legal trial for the murther they stand charged with in the Indictment of your 
Grand Jury. 

I have more to say to your Excy but am obliged thro' a great hurry of business 
to postpone it until the next Post when I shall have the honor of writing you — 

I am with much regard Sir N'our Excy's most humbl and most ob serv't, 

W. SHIRLEY. 

His Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq. 

PUBLIC SENTIMENT. 

After all this manifestation of indignation by the two gov- 
ernors, Bowen and Morrill remained at their homes in undis- 
turbed quiet, and public sentiment in Contoocook, Stevenstown 
and Canterbury sided with them. The people manifested their 
thankfulness that these two Indian thieves, who had wantonly 
killed and scalped many captives, were beyond the possibility 



236 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

of doing the settlers further wrong. Governor Wentworth was 
determined to uphold the authority of the crown and the dig- 
nity of the law, and the sheriff and his assistants came to Can- 
terbury and arrested Simeon Ames, who was doubtless the 
ringleader of those who liberated the prisoners. 

"Gentlemen," said Ames, when called upon by the sheriff 
and his posse, "I will go with you, but you will stop and take 
dinner with me before we start." 

"Yes," said the sheriff, "we shall be delighted to accept 
your hospitality." 

When about to start the prisoner said, "You will allow me 
to ride my own horse to Exeter." 

The sheriff had no objection, as he and his assistants were 
mounted, and they started off, quite a pleasant party for an 
afternoon ride to Exeter. About sunset they had reached 
Brentwood, the town adjoining Exeter. Ames was a very 
entertaining man, and the officers as they rode along on 
either side of their prisoner enjoyed his society and conver- 
sation. As they were ascending a hill the officers' horses ap- 
peared jaded, while that of Ames was comparatively fresh and 
very fleet. 

"I declare," said he, "it is most sunset. Good evening, gen- 
tlemen, I don't think I will go with you any farther to-night." 

In an instant he was gone. At a movement of the rein the 
horse wheeled, and the rider bowed politely to his companions 
and disappeared. The officers sat upon their horses in blank 
astonishment and gazed at their prisoner as he went flying 
away from them, with his head half turned back, bowing his 
compliments and bidding them a graceful goodbye. They saw 
it was no use to attempt to pursue a man who was going away 
from them like the wind ; besides, public sentiment was with 
Ames, and he was never again molested. Governor Wentworth 
took up with the advice of Governor Shirley and made some 
presents to the relatives of the Indians, and no further attempts 
were made to punish the offenders. The Indians were appeased 
and the matter dropped. 

The Hon. Chandler E. Potter, in the Farmers' Monthly Vis- 



INDIAN HISTORY. 23/ 

itor, September, 1853, g'wes an extended relation of Christo, 
Sabbatis and Plausawa, three Indians, of whom the two latter 
were slain. Mr. Potter says : "Both the'murder and the res- 
cue, however, were generally justified in the community. And 
although rewards were offered by Governor W'entworth for the 
apprehension of Bowen and Morrill, yet in a short time they 
were openly about their business, without fear of molestation, 
and the men engaged in breaking the jail at Portsmouth, 
though well known, were never called to account, but on the 
contrary were considered as having performed a most merito- 
rious act. In fact, some of the most substantial men in the 
country were engaged in the rescue — by assistance or advice — 
and the government could not have made an arrest had they 
made the attempt. Presents were afterwards made to the rela- 
tives of the Indians, by the government of New Hampshire, 
and thus the 'blood was wiped away' to the satisfaction of the 
Fndians." 

INDI.AN BRIDGE. 

The following account is found in i^'armer & Moore's Histor- 
ical Collections, published in 1824: 

"In the fall of the year 1753, Sabatis and Plasawa, two In- 
dians, were at a place where Deacon Sawyer now lives, in Can- 
terbury. There Joshua Noyes and Thomas Thorla, from New- 
bury, who were looking after cattle which had been turned into 
the woods the spring before, met them. Plasawa had been 
several times at Newbury and knew Noyes and Thorla, and they 
knew him. The Indians appeared not much pleased at seeing 
them, and began to put their baggage into their canoe, and to 
prepare to go away. Sabatis appeared sullen and disposed to 
do mischief, but was kept from it by Plausawa. Noyes and 
Thorla proposed to buy their furs. At first they refused to 
sell, saying they would not trade with the English, but would 
go to Canada. Afterwards they offered to sell furs for rum. 
These men had bought rum on purpose to trade with the In- 
dians, but seeing their temper, especially that of Sabatis, they 
refused to let them have any and concluded to go away and 



238 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

leave them. As they were departing, Plasawa in a friendly 
manner advised them to go home, and to avoid meeting with 
Indians lest they should be hurt. When they had gone a little 
distance from the Indians, Sabatis called them and said, "No 
more you English come here — me heart bad — me kill you." 
Thorla replied, "No kill — English and Indians now all broth- 
ers." They soon met Peter Bowen going towards the Indians, 
told him in what temper the Indians were and advised him not 
to go to them, and by no means let them have a drop of rum. 
He replied that he was not afraid of them, that he was ac- 
quainted with Indians and knew how to deal with them. The 
Indians had got into their canoe and were going up the river. 
Bowen called to them and asked them to go to his house and 
stay that night and he would give them some rum. It was then 
near night. They went with Bowen to his house, which was in 
Contoocook, at some distance below where they then were. 
He treated them freely with rum, which made them at first 
well pleased, but as they became more intoxicated they began 
to be troublesome. Bowen, who had every quality of an Indian, 
had lived much with them and knew perfectly well how they 
would conduct, fearing they might do mischief, took the pre- 
caution to make his wife engage their attention while he drew 
the charges from their guns, which were left behind the door 
in the entry. After this was done the night was spent in a 
drunken frolic, for which Bowen had as good a relish as his 
guests. The next morning they asked Bowen to go with his 
horse and carry their baggage to the place where their canoe 
was left the night before. He went and carried their packs on 
his horse. As they went, Sabatis proposed to run a race with 
the horse. Bowen, suspecting mischief was intended, declined 
the race, but finally consented to run. He however took care 
to let the Indian out-run the horse. Sabatis laughed heartily 
at Bowen because his horse could run no faster. They then 
proceeded apparently in good humor. After awhile Sabatis 
said to Bowen, "Bowen walk woods," meaning, "Go with me 
as a prisoner." Bowen said, "No walk woods — all we broth- 
ers." They went on together until they came near the canoe,. 



INDIAN HISTORY. 239 

when Sabatis proposed a second race, that the horse should be 
unloaded of the baggage and should start a little before him. 
Bowen refused to start so but consented to start together. 
They ran, and as soon as the horse had got a little before the 
Indian Bowen heard a gun snap. Looking round he saw the 
smoke of powder and the gun aimed at him ; he turned and 
struck his tomahawk in the Indian's head. He went back to 
meet Plausawa, who, seeing the fate of Sabatis, took aim with 
his gun at Bowen; the gun flashed; Plasawa fell on his knees 
and begged for his life. He pleaded his innocence and former 
friendship for the English ; but all in vain. Bowen knew there 
would be no safety for him while the companion and friend of 
Sabatis was living. To secure himself he buried the same tom- 
ahawk in the skull of Plausawa. This was done in the road on 
the bank of Merrimack river, near the line of Contoocook, now 
Boscawen. Bowen hid the dead bodies under a small bridge, 
in Salisbury. The ne.xt spring the bodies were discovered and 
buried. That bridge has ever since, to this day, been called 
Indian Bridge. N. 

Nov. 28, 1823." 

The above article is supposed to have been contributed for 
the Historical Collections by Parker Noyes. 

There is a story in Peter Harvey's Reminiscences of Daniel 
Webster which is more curious than authentic. It evidently 
refers to this matter of the death of Sabatis and Plausawa, and 
the indictment, imprisonment and escape from jail of Bowen 
and Morrill. It is only referred to here to show how well a 
man can state facts who knows hardly anything about them. 

CAPTURE OF THE MELOON FAMILY. 

For several years previous to 1754 (from 1744) some depre- 
dations had been committed upon the lives and property of the 
inhabitants of Canterbury, Contoocook, Penacook und Hopkin- 
ton, by the Indians. It is an important fact that James John- 
son, a prisoner in Canada from Charlestown, No. 4, early in 
1754 heard some of the Indians of the St. Francis tribe say 



240 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

that they had sent eight of their men to Merrimack river, to 
take revenge for killing two of their number, known as Sab- 
batis and Plausawa. Accordingly, on the nth of May of this 
year these Indians arrived in this vicinity and first made their 
attack on Nathaniel Meloon and family, who had recently re- 
moved from Contoocook to West Stevenstown. Meloon was 
taken prisoner in Contoocook, near Wm. Emery's house, (now 
Webster) while on the way back from his residence to the fort 
in Contoocook, on business. They knew him and knew where 
he lived, and directed him to his dwelling, to which they 
repaired and took as prisoners his wife, his children, Mary and 
Rachel, John and David, also Sarah, then an infant thirteen 
months old. The eldest son, Nathaniel, Jr., was at work in 
the field at a short distance from the house, planting corn and 
in plain sight. The father was ordered to call him, which he 
did; but the son saw the Indians, and understood his father's 
wish for him to escape by the significance of his voice. He 
dropped his hoe, fled to the woods, swam the Blackwater, eluded 
the pursuit of the Indians, and reached the fort in safety. 

The Indians plundered the house, and then returned with 
their captives to Canada. The infant (Sarah) was soon after- 
wards taken sick, and the Indians took the child from the 
mother, and probably destroyed it. The prisoners were sold in 
Canada, Meloon and his wife to a French Priest near Quebec. 
The children were scattered. Another child, whose name was 
Joseph, was born Nov. 1755. In 1757, Meloon, his wife and 
three sons were shipped in a French vessel destined to France. 
The ship was captured by a British man of war off Halifax, and 
Meloon and family were landed at Portland, and from that place 
they found means of returning to their former residence. 

Rachel remained in Canada until 1763. She was about nine 
years old when taken prisoner, and when Samuel Fowler of 
Boscawen found her in 1763, she was so much attached to the 
Indian mode of living that she had little inclination to return 
to civilized life. She, however, was induced to return, and 
afterwards married Reuben Greeley, whose son was Nathaniel 
Greeley, a respected citizen of Salisbury. Reuben was a veteran 
soldier, who died at Valley Forge in 1778, 



INDIAN HISTORY. 24I 

When rescued Rachel was about to be married to Peter 
Louis, an Indian. She was at one time taken by the Indians 
to the Mississippi, but they were not permitted by the resident 
Indians, the Flat Heads, to remain, so she returned to Canada 
with her captors. Rachel always retained a partiality for the 
manners and habits of Indian life. She learned the Indian 
language and was accustomed to sing her Indian songs. The 
following is a specimen : 

She dokina wen to niarkit, 
Asoo, sa, sika me a saw, 
So waka catawunka naw, 
Chicka way sa catawunka naw. 

The girk tha went su su tunga tuck, 
Run au by 00 a soo sa soas, 
Run au by 00 a soo sa soas, 
Jo etuh butka — . 

EFFORTS TO REDEEM THE CAPTIVES. 

In the House, December 19, 1754, "it was voted one hun- 
dred and fifty pounds sterling money of Great Britain towards 
the redemption of seventeen persons taken captive by the 
St. Francis Indians and now in the hands of the French and 
Indians," amongst whom were Nathaniel Meloon and family, 
Samuel Scribner, Robert Barber, and Enos Bishop. 

Voted, "That there be a tax laid on the Polls and Estates for 
450 pounds new tenor bills of credit to be added to the above 
sum for redemption of the above captives." 

The Journal of the House, March 26, 1762, shows "that 
Nathaniel Meloon and his family were allowed for himself and 
family captured and carried to Canada in 1754, ten pounds 
sterling." 

The boy, David, was redeemed in July, 1761, as appears by a 
petition of the father, presented to the Governor and Council 
and the Assembly. 

The petition bears the date of March 12th, 1762, and is as 
follows : 
16 



242 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

* 

New Hampshire: 

To his Excellency, Bcnning Wentworlh, St'c. 

The humble petition of Nathaniel Meloon of Stevens Town, so called, in said 
Province, Sheweth, that your petitioner about seven years ago was with his wife 
and three children captivated by the Indian enemy and carry'd to Canada, where 
your petitioner and his wife remained captive about four years and seven months. 

That one of said children dyed in Canada, one remained captive with the In- 
dians and the French until July last, and the other is still a captive with some of 
the Indians. 

That your petitioner has been put to great costs and trouble to redeem one of 
his said children, and expects to be at much more cost and trouble ( if he shall be 
enabled) to redeem his other child now with the Indians. That your petitioner 
and his family have become very poor and indigent by means of their said captivity 
( beside the miserys and punishments they underwent during the same ) so that your 
petitioner cannot adventure upon the redemption of his child now remaining with 
the Indians, unless aided and assisted by the honble Court, to whose favor and 
clemency he commits himself. 

Humbly hoping that your Excellency and Hons will take this poor and distress- 
ed case under your wise consideration and grant him such relief and assistance in 
the premises as to your Excellency and Hons in your wonted clemency and benevo- 
lence shall deem mete. 

And your petitioner, as in duty bound, shall ever pray &c. 

NATHANIEL MELOON. 

The following affidavits have been preserved, and are here 
inserted as supplying additional interesting details concerning 
these events : 

TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM EMERY. 

William Emery of Contoocook in the Province of New Hampshire of Lawful 
age — Testifies & Says — That on the Tenth Day of May 1754 his wife being 111 & 
People afraid to tarry & take care of her there, being an outhouse, moved her into 
Town with the rest of the family about five miles — the next morning he Returned 
to his House and found it Plundered what of his goods was not carried off was 
spoilt of the value & to his damage Two Hundred Pounds Old Tenor at the least «& 
the same time found Nath'l Maloon's Horse tyed at his said House which Maloon 
his wife Rachel & .Sarah & Son Samuel were captivated & Carried away by the 
Indians & of Clothing Bedding & Provisions of the value of Two hundred & Thirty 
Pounds Old Tenor at the least. 
Province of New ) 
Hampshire, ) 

Contoocook 

May 2 2d 1754 the above Named William Emery made oath to the truth of the 
aforesaid written Deposition before 

JOSEPH BLANCHARD 

Just of Peace. 



INDIAN HISTORY. 243 

TESTIMONY OF JOHN FLANDERS. 

John Flanders of Contoocook in the I'rovince of New Hampshire of Lawful 
age Testifies & says — 

That in May 1753 an Indian named Planseway came to Contoocook aforesaid 
exulting & telling of his Frequent coming to that place in the war how many he 
killed & taken [from] Merrymack in the war — The Deponent told him that in the 
F'all he intended to Catch some Heaver to make him a hat & asked I'laiiseway if he 
would hurt him if he see him, who answered yes if he found him hunting he would 
kill him & earnestly repeated it several times — 

And the Deponent further says That on the nth day of May 1754 in the Fore- 
noon at Contoocook aforesaid William Emery came to the Body of the Town & in- 
formed that somebody had that morning broke open his house taken many things & 
spoiled others, a house his family had moved from the night I'efore all his clothing 
(his beds empty'd & ticks cut to pieces) & supposed it to be Indians the Deponent 
& others Immediately went, found the house strip'd & Plunder'd to the said Emery's 
Damage at least Two hundred Pounds old Tenor. 

That they proceeded to the house of Nathaniel Maloon in Stevenstown so called 
which was six miles Farther & met with said Maloon's Eldest son who gave account 
of the Indians that day captivating his Father & Mother & three children who re- 
turned with the scout to his Father's house where they found it plundered & strip'd 
& by the best accts the Deponent could get of things missing broke iv: Cutt to 
pieces were of the value & to Maloon's damage at least two hundred & thirty pounds 
old Tenor. 

Province of ) Contoocook May 22d 

New Hampshire ) I754 

The aboved named John Flanders made Oath to the truth of the aforewritten 
Deposition. 

Before JOSEPH BLANCHARD 

just Peace. 

TESTIMONY OF NATHANIEL MELOON. 

Nathaniel Maloon the son of Nathaniel Maloon of Stevenstown in New Hamp- 
shire aged about 14 years Testifies & says — 

That at Stevenstown aforesaid on the nth day of May 1754 in the morning be- 
fore sunrise his Father set out Designing to go to Penacook a place about twenty 
miles distant whose road went by the house of Mr William Emery of Contoocook. 
That the same morning about nine of the clock the Deponent was at work in his 
Fathers field & soon a number of Indians he thought ten or a dozen running to the 
house & two took after the Deponent, but a thicket near was quick out of sight & 
made his escape & hid not far off. Some time afterwards he heard his Father call 
him sundry times — 

That after he supposed the Indians Drawn off made his escape to Contoocook. 
Province of ) At Contoocook 

New Hampshire ) the 22d of May 1754. 
The above named &c 

Before JOSEPH BLANCHARD 

Jus Peace. 



244 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

THE PEOPLE BECOME ALARMED. 

It appears from an old account book, which once belonged to 
Captain John Webster, a leading citizen, first of Contoocook 
and afterwards of Stevenstown, who owned a sawmill in Con- 
toocook, was interested in the lumbering business and in farm- 
ing, and who then kept a small retail store, that the neighbor- 
ing inhabitants of Stevenstown were so far forewarned as to 
provide themselves with ammunition against the impending 
dangers. The records of Stevenstown indicate that there were 
no more than eight families then settled in that town. We find 
in Capt. Webster's book, under the date of July 15, 1754, the 
following charges or entries : 

Stephen Call, Dr. To one Pound of Powder, i Pound lo Shillings. 
Rob't Barber, Dr. do do do do 

Sam'l Scribner, Dr. do do do do 

Ephraim Collings, Dr. do do do do 

Also, July 19. 1754, there was delivered to Ephraim Collings 
"60 Bullets and two pounds of Powder, to be kept in store." 
The price is not stated. 

John Bowen, who afterwards became a citizen in Salisbury, 
was charged with "breaking and destroying two of my mill- 
saws." His trespass was waived. From the above charges it 
appears that the price of powder was high, or the standard of 
the State currency was quite low. < 

ATTACK ON PHILIP CALL's HOUSE. 

On the 1 6th of August of this year, as Philip Call, his son 
Stephen, and Timothy Cook were at work on their farm, the 
savages suddenly appeared at the door of the dwelling-house, 
and as Mrs. Philip Call opened it she was at once struck down, 
killed and scalped. 

Philip Call was an experienced and well-trained warrior. His 
first service appears to have been performed in 1744, under 
Capt. Jeremiah Clough, of Canterbury, being engaged about 
three months in scouting and in defending the garrison in that 
town. Also a similar service of two months, in the winter of 



INDIAN HISTORY. 245 

1745 ; also in June, 1746; again, from July to December in the 
same year, under Capt. Daniel Ladd and Capt. Jere. Clough. 
His son, Stephen Call, was engaged with him in the latter ser- 
vice. Philip was also engaged in garrison duty in Canterbury 
and in defending the people of that town against the Indians, 
from the 5th of January, 1747, to the 12th of November follow- 
ing, inclusive. 

It is a tradition and perhaps an established fact, that when 
the house was attacked, Stephen Call's wife, being within, con- 
cealed herself and her infant child (John) behind the chimney, 
and was not discovered by the Indians. Both Philip and his 
son Stephen escaped into the adjoining forest. Timothy Cook 
was pursued and in endeavoring to cross Merrimack River was 
fired upon and killed. 

He was the son of Thomas Cook, who had been slain at Clay 
Hill in Contoocook, on the 4th day of May, 1746, by the Indians. 

The attack on the Call family was made by a party of thirty 
or more Indians, under command of Capt. Sasup. Two men 
set out from the fort at Contoocook, at the time of the attack 
upon Philip Call ; they were Ephraim Foster and Andrew 
Mooar. After their return to the fort they were sent to warn 
settlers further south, and it appears that Andrew McClary, of 
Epsom, hastened to Portsmouth, to give the Governor and 
Council information of the attack. On the i8th McClary ap- 
peared before the Governor and Council and made the following 
statement : 

Portsmouth, Aug. 1754. 

The said .Vndrew M'cCIary being examined declared that Ephm Foster and 
Stephen Mooar acquainted the declarant that they were at Stevenstown the day the 
mischief was done by the Indians and found the body of Mrs. Call lying dead near 
the door of the house, scalped and her head almost cut off & upon further search 
found the body of a man by the name of Cook dead and scalped. That the In- 
dians were supposed to be about thirty in number according to the account of 
eight men; that upon hearing the news went immediately from Contoocook to 
Stevenstown & in that way the enemy who soon followed them and they endeavored 
to escape. One of the company, one Uishop, Stood Some time and fired at the 
Indians, but was soon obliged to run. liishop was supposed to be killed and 
Sunk in the river he being still missing ; that there were two men belonging to the 
plantation at a distance haying in a meadow that as yet were not come in ( Scrib- 



246 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

ner & Barber) and it is feared that they had fallen into the hands of the enemy — 
that is the declarant had understood all the inhabitants, consisting of about eight 
families were come down into the lower town (Contoocook) and had left their im- 
provements, corn hay & cattle. 

[ From the Council Records.] 

At at council holden in Portsmouth on Wednesday May 15th 1754. 
Present 

His excellency the Governor 

Henry Sherburne ] 

Theodore Atkinson I Esqrs. ' 

Rich'd Wibbird [ 

Jno Downing J 

Sampson Sheaffe ) 
Daniel Warner > Esqrs. 

Joseph Newmarch ) 

Mr. Stephen Gerrish appearing at this I-oard presented a petition of Phineas 
Stevens & eight others inhabitants at Contoocook setting forth that the Indians had 
begun hostilities in that part & had captivated a family & rifled the house of another 
&c [ Emery and Maloon ] & being examined what he knew of the affair says on Sat 
the nth Inst he saw a lad son of Nathaniel Malloon who lived at a place called 
Stevenstown about five miles from Contoocook who informed him that his father 
& family were taken as he supposed by the Indians he having seen a number of 
Indians near his fathers house which occasioned him the sd lad to run into the 
woods by which he escaped upon which report the said Gerrish & sundry others 
went immediately to the house where they had found the feather beds emptied 
upon the floor & the tickins carry'd off — Most of the meal that was in the house 
was carry'd. 

They tracked the Indians some way from the house — that the family consisting 
of the man his wife and three children were all gone off and by the said signs he 
imagined were all carried into captivity. The petitioners therefore prayed some 
speedy succours to guard & defend them to prevent if possible future depredations 
— upon which petition & information his excellency asked the council what they 
would advise in the Premises. The council considering thereof did advise His Ex- 
cellency to give the necessary orders for enlisting or impressing twenty effective 
men to be immediately sent to Contoocook, Canterbury & Stevenstown to be 
destined as his excellency shall think most advantageous for guarding the inhabi- 
tants in those parts one month. 

SAMUEL SCRIBNER AND ROBERT BARBER. 

These two hardy men had located within half a mile of our 
northern boundary line, near Emerystown, (Andover,) and at 
that time were our most remote settlers. They had already 
got out the timber to build a house, and at the time of their 
capture were mowing in the meadow now owned by Elbridge 



INDIAN HISTORY. 247 

Shaw. Scribner's back was to the Indians. Barber saw them 
coming andjshouted out to Scribner, who was but a few rods 
from him, " Run, Scribner, run, for God's sake, run ; the Indians 
are upon us!" Whether he did not hear him or misinterpreted 
the words is not known, but he kept on whetting his scythe 
until grasped from behind by an Indian, l^arber ran, but went 
directly into an ambush of the savages. An Indian, holding 
up a scalp before Barber, asked him in broken Englisl) if he 
knew it. He said, "Yes, Mrs. Call's." The Indians took along 
their prisoners. Barber, Scribner and Bishop, and it being near 
night they camped on the southern shore of what is now called 
Webster Lake. In the early morning they started for St. 
Francis, Canada, which place they reached after a journey of 
thirteen days. For the last nine days they subsisted on berries, 
roots, etc., which they found in the wilderness. On arriving at 
their destination they were kindly treated, although obliged to 
work very hard. Scribner was sold to a Frenchman, at Cham- 
blee. Barber was sold to a Frenchman, about a mile from St. 
Francis, for 500 livres, a livre being ten pence sterling or i8/4 
cents, called in these times a twenty cent piece. September 
26, 1755, Barber made his escape, with two others. After Bar- 
ber's capture his wife returned to the fort at Contoocook. They 
had no children, and after a time, thinking her husband dead, 
she married again. After his escape and return, finding how 
matters stood, the widowed Barber accepted the situation, also 
married again, and settled on the farm now owned by George 
Wells, where he resided for a long time. His daughter, Esther 
Barber, was the mother of Abel Morrill, 3d, and was the first 
white woman born in Salisbury. 

Soon after Scribner and Barber were captured, friends piled 
up the lumber they had got out for a house, and after Scribner's 
return to Salisbury, he built the large two-story house known 
as the Scribner house, at the North Road. 

Information having been conveyed to Contoocook of the dis- 
asters' of Stevenstown, on the i6th, the ne.xt day, a number of 
the people from Contoocook, supposed to be thirteen in number 
or more, visited the residence of Philip Call and found the bodies 



248 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

of Mrs. Call and Timo. Cook, and upon their return met the 
Indians, some thirty in number. Not deeming it prudent to 
hazard an engagement with a force so much superior, they dis- 
persed in different directions ; none firing a gun except Enos 
Bishop, who after making some resistance was forced to sur- 
render at discretion. Bishop, Barber and Scribner were all, as 
prisoners, conveyed to Canada and sold at Chamblee and St. 
Francis. Bishop found means to escape and return home 
within a year from his captivity. Scribner was subsequently 
ransomed by the State Government within less than two years. 

In the meantime the Proprietors of Stevenstown paid for five 
men to render assistance to the suffering settlers of their town, 
and the State authorities ordered Col. Jos. Blanchard, with a 
body of men under his command, and Capt. John Webster with 
another company to reconnoitre our frontiers and assist the 
fugitive inhabitants of Stevenstown, who had retired to the fort 
at Contoocook, in gathering their crops and in collecting and 
securing their cattle and other property. They discovered no 
Indians and were soon discharged. 

But little progress was made in the settlement of this town 
until after 1760, when Canada had been subdued. 

Early in the winter of 1755, Gov. Went worth ordered Col. 
Joseph Blanchard of Dunstable to raise a regiment of six hun- 
dred men, and to rendevous at the fort in Stevenstown in the 
spring. This fort had doubtless been built on what is well 
known as the Webster Farm, as a defense against the Indians, 
and was afterwards known as the ^^ Salisbwy fort.'' We cannot 
state the precise date when this fort was erected from any 
existing recorded evidence. It was probably built some time 
between 1746 and 1750, as there were various scouting parties 
then ordered and employed west of the Merrimack and on our 
frontiers, about the Pemigewasset and Winnipisiogee rivers. 
The early records of the town make mention of the existing 
fort and that it was located about forty rods southerly of the 
cemetery on the Webter intervale and surrounded by eight acres 
of cleared land, early cultivated. 



INDIAN HISTORY. 249 

It seems quite certain that his regiment arrived in April, 1755 ; 
he was not engaged in erecting a fort, but did spend about six 
weeks in preparing boats for transporting his troops and 
baggage up the river. This effort was found fruitless, and Gov. 
Wentworth ordered the troops to proceed through the Province 
to No. 4, ( Charlestown) thence to Crown Point by the Albany- 
route. The time of service of this regiment expired in October. 
The authorities of our State ordered the enlistment of a regi- 
ment of three hundred more men to take the j^lace of Blanchard's 
regiment. They were mustered into service about the 20th of 
September, 1755, and were discharged at the end of three 
months. 

In these regiments we find may of our pioneer settlers in this 
town, who while detained at the fort had opportunity to explore 
the surrounding territory. We find the names of Benja. San- 
born, Benj. Baker, Samuel Judkins, John Bean, Robert Smith, 
Tristram Sanborn, Andrew Bohonon, Henry and John Elkins, 
John Webster, Thomas Welch, Jacob Hancock, Nehemiah 
Heath, Ebenezer Johnson, Tristram Quimby, Samuel Lovering, 
Iddo Webster, Benj. Huntoon, B. Clifford, Edward Eastman, 
John Wadleigh, Jere. Quimby, John Fellows. Most of these 
men, then soldiers from the neighborhood of Kingston, soon after 
1760 became permanent settlers in Salisbury. 

In 1756, Col. Nath. Meserve raised a regiment for the Crown 
Point expedition, consisting of seven hundred men. Length of 
service from May to December that year. 

In Col. Meserve's regiment, in addition to the names of men 
alreadv mentioned, we find Jona. Fifield, John Smith, D. Gil- 
man, Reuben lloyt, Sani'l Fifield, John Ash, Sam'l Scribner, 
who had now returned from captivity, J. Blaisdell and Daniel 
Stevens. In Meserve's regiment, for eight months service in the 
Crown Point expedition for 1757, we find the following addi- 
tional soldiers, who afterwards became permanent residents in 
Salisbury: J. Merrow, Joseph Webster, Benj. Pettengill, John 
Sanborn and Stephen Webster. A portion of this regiment 
suffered severely at the surrender of Fort William and Mary. 
It has been said that Philip Call was killed, or died, in this 



250 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

campaign. We do not hear of him afterwards, and no stone 
marks his grave here. 

In 1757, Major Thomas Tash enlisted a battalion of two and 
three months men, mustered in in August and discharged in 
November. We append the following names found in this bat- 
talion : John Cross, Sam'l Scribner, Robert Barber, the two 
latter in the same company, and Matthew Pettengill. 

In 1758, Col. John Kart raised a regiment of 700 men, for 
seven months, commencing in April, for the Crown Point expe- 
dition. We find upon the roll the following-named men who 
aftewards became residents of Salisbury : Moses Garland, 
Moses Sanborn, Benj. Shaw, Sam'l Scribner, James Johnson, 
William Hoyt, and Nathaniel Meloon, who had been restored 
to freedom. 

In Capt. Trueworthy Ladd's company. Col. Hart's regiment, 
we find the name of Joseph Bean, afterwards the first Justice of 
the Peace in Salisbury under the crown, and that of Ebenezer 
Webster, Captain of the militia company in Salisbury during 
the whole Revolutionary war. Also Philip Flanders, Onesi- 
phorus Page, Iddo Webster, John Wadleigh and Moses Tucker. 

In Col. John Goffe's regiment, serving in Canada from March 
to November, 1760, in Capt. Philip Johnson's company, of 
Greenland, we find Ebenezer Webster, Orderly Sergeant ; Tris- 
tram Ouimby and Stephen Webster, Corporals ; also privates 
Rowell Colby, Robert Smith, Benj. Webster, Elisha Ouimby, 
Richard Tucker, D. Rowe, Moses Tucker, Benj. Collins and 
Jona. Roberts. All settled in Salisbury soon afterwards. 

After the severe calamities of 1754, the inhabitants of Stev- 
enstown periodically repaired to the forts, until Quebec fell, in 
1759. Then the survivors permanently returned to their sev- 
eral homes, and were no longer molested. New pioneers came 
and settled among them, especially from the towns of Kingston 
and Salisbury, Mass., and that vicinity, and peace once more 
smiled upon the hardy sons of Stevenstown. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

" Shall I ask the brave soldier who fights by my side 
In the cause of mankind, if our creeds do agree ?" 

LEXINGTON AND BUNKER HILL. 

The people of Salisbury caught the first echo of the shot 
which "the embattled farmers" at Lexington fired, and which 
was "heard round the world." 

"And there was mounting in hot haste." 

Her sons were not in season for Lexington, but they were at 
Bunker Hill. They went, too, uninvited to that banquet of 
death and fame which was celebrated on the 17th of June, 1775. 

When hostilities commenced at Lexington there were but 
five hundred inhabitants in Salisbury. All able-bodied men 
between sixteen and sixty were made liable to do military duty. 
There was one company of militia thus composed, consisting of 
about seventy-five men, organized and officered. This company 
was commanded by Capt. Ebenezer Webster, who had first 
received his commission in 1774. Robert Smith, who then 
resided where his grandson, Charles Smith, now resides, in 
Franklin, was the Lieutenant ; Moses Garland, for a short time, 
and then Andrew Pettengill, who resided on the farm now oc- 
cupied by Thomas D. Little, in Salisbury, was the Ensign. 
Upon the alarm of the Lexington conflict, these officers and a 
number of the citizens repaired to Cambridge. They had yet 
received no orders from our State authorities. They there met 
the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, also John Stark, of 
Derryfield. James Reed, of b'itzwilliam, and Paul Dudley Sar- 



252 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

gent, of Amherst. These three men each received a Colonel's 
commission from the State of Massachusetts, subject to the 
condition of subsequent ratification by New Hampshire. 

They were advised to enlist men as speedily as possible. In 
a short time Stark enlisted eight hundred men, or fourteen 
companies, while Reed and Sargent had enlisted four companies 
each. The New Hampshire Assembly soon convened, and 
voted to raise two thousand men, to be divided into three res:i- 
ments of ten companies each. The regiments were numbered 
I, 2 and 3. Col. John Stark had command of the first, Enoch 
Poor, of Exeter, of the second, and James Reed of the third. 
The first and third regiments were engaged in the battle of 
Bunker Hill. The second did not arrive at Cambridge until 
the week after the battle. 

ENLISTMENTS IN SALISBURY. 

Salisbury men enlisted into three or more of the companies of 
Stark's regiment. Among the early enlistments are the names 
of Peter Severance, Jonathan Cram and Jacob Morrill, in Capt. 
Henry Dearborn's company , also Abraham Fifield, 3d Sergt. 
in Capt. Joshua Abbott's company, of Concord ; also, privates 
John Bean, Joseph Lovering, Samuel Lovering, Moses Welch, 
and E. Rano ; in some other companies, Daniel Stevens, Ed- 
ward Evans, Moses Garland, Moses Fellows, John Bowen, John 
Jemson, Benj. Howard, Reuben Greeley and Samuel Scribner, 
eighteen in all. These brave volunteers represented Salisbury 
in the Bunker Hill battle. About twelve of the number enlis- 
ted for the term of six months, and encountered the perils of 
the siege. Two of these men, John Bowen and Moses Fellows, 
joined Capt. Henry Dearborn's company, and in the autumn of 
1775 made a part of Arnold's regiment, that marched through 
the wilderness of Maine, to Quebec. At Bunker Hill Rano 
was severely wounded but recovered. He and three others of 
the volunteers returnd home soon after the battle. In the mean 
time the citizens of the town were frequently called together, 
and in town meeting voted supplies of ammunition and such 
other supplies of money, clothing and provisions as the emer- 
gency required. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 253 

NEW HAMPSHIRE TROOPS AT BUNKER HILL. 

The New Hampshire men who fought at Bunker Hill, and 
the record of the killed and wounded may be stated as follows : 

Col. John Stark's regiment, ten companies, according to their 
returns the week preceding the battle, contained 632 men ; 
Col. James Reed's regiment returned 488; Capt. Dow's com- 
pany, of Hollis, embraced in Col. Prescott's (Massachusetts) 
regiment, 63 ; Plaistow men, in Capt. Sawyer's company, Frye's 
regiment, 4; a total of 1187. 

KILLED. 

Killed in Stark's regiment, 15; killed in Reed's regiment, 5; 
killed in Mann's and Dow's companies, (Col. Prescott's regi- 
ment) all Hollis men, 8; killed from Plaistow, i; Major Mc- 
Clary, staff officer, i ; total number killed, 30. 

WOUNDED. 

Wounded in Stark's regiment, 45 ; wounded in Reed's regi- 
ment, 27 ; Hollis men, 5 ; Plaistow, i ; a total of yS. Total 
number killed and wounded, 108. 

Among the officers killed and wounded, in addition to Major 
McClary, of Epsom, were the following : Capt. Isaac Baldwin, 
of Hillsborough, Stark's regiment, killed ; Capt. Reuben Dow, 
of Hollis, wounded ; Lieut, William Scott, of Peterborough, 
Reed's regiment, wounded and a prisoner. Lieut. Scott was 
conveyed to Halifax, but escaped and arrived safely at home. 

AID TO CONNECTICUT. 

It is an interesting matter of history that in November, 1775, 
the term of service of the Connecticut troops expired, without 
any provision for a new supply from that State. Accordingly, 
Washington and Gen. Sullivan made a direct and urgent appeal 
to Massachusetts and this State to supply the deficiency. Both 
States came to the rescue. New Hampshire at once furnished 
thirty-two companies of recruits, who served for about six 
weeks, when troops from Connecticut came to their relief. 



254 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Salisbury furnished one-half of a company on this occasion, 
and the town of Pembroke the other half, Capt. Connor, of 
Pembroke, taking the command, and Capt. Matthew Pettengill, 
of Salisbury, taking the position of Lieutenant. It is our mis- 
fortune that we cannot anywhere find the names of the soldiers 
who composed these thirty-two companies. We have only the 
names of their officers. We have searched our town and State 
archives in vain for the names of the men who enlisted from 
this town. More than half of the able-bodied men must have 
been in service during a portion of the most inclement season 
of this year. 

MORE RECRUITS. 

The British evacuated Boston about the first of April, 1776. 
As the term of the six months' men, who had enlisted in June, 
1775, expired, it became the duty of the town to supply their 
places by some new recuits. We understand the last term of 
service, for about four months, was supplied by the enlistment 
of Capt. Ebenezer Webster and his other company officers, and 
some dozen other soldiers of their militia company whose names 
have not been preserved. 

ALARM LIST.* 

The within is a list of the Company under my command. 

(Signed) EBENEZER WEBSTER. 

Rev. Jonathan Searle, Ens. Andrew Bohonon, Nehemiah Heath, 

Elder Sinkler Bean, Ens. John Webster, Benj. Greely, 

Elder Benj. Huntoon, Ens. Moses Garland, Joseph Marston, 

Dea. John Collins, Stephen Call, Nath'l. Meloon, 

Capt. John Webster, Benj. Sanborn, Nath'l. Meloon, Jun'r, 

Capt. Matthew Pettengill, Nathan Webster, — Ezra Tucker, 

Esq. Joseph Bean, Robert Barber, Hezekiah Foster, 

Dr. Joseph Bartlett, John Fellows, Edward Scribner. 

Andrew Bohonon, Nathan Colby, 

*The lists given undoubtedly embrace the greater part if not all the names of. 
the men from Salisbury, who composed the companies enlisted for active service, 
at Bunker Hill, and also in the subsequent enlistment for the term of six weeks 
above referred to. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 



255 



A LIST OF THE TRAINING SOLDIERS OF THE TOWN OF SALISBURY, 
DRAWN MAY 27TH, 1 776. 



Sergt. Jacob Cochran, 
Sergt. William Preston, 
Sergt. Ananiah Bohonon, 
Sergt. I'hineas Bean, 
Richard Purmont, 
Cutting Stevens, 
David Pettengill, 
Nath'l Marston, 
Ezekiel Lunt, 
Stephen Cross, 
Benj'n Basford, 
Reuben Kezar, 
Daniel Felch, 
John Brown, 
Kdward Eastman, 
Daniel Sewell, 
Benj'n Eastman, 
John Sanborn. 
Ebenr. Clifford, 
George Bagley, 
James Johnson, 
Daniel Uran, [of Concord, 
Stephen Webster, 
Philip Flanders, 
Ephraim Colby, 
David Hall, 



Jeremiah Webster, 
Shubael Greeley, |« 
John Bean, 
Jonathan F"ifie]d, 
Abraham Fifield, 
Joseph Fifield, 
Abel Klkins, 
Jonathan Cram, 
Moses Woodman, 
Moses Silley, 
Philip Mitchell, 
William Bagley, 
Job Heath, 
Ephraim Heath, 
Benj'n Howard, 
William Eastman, 
Reuben Greely, 
Jeremiah Eastman, 
Benj'n Greeley, Jun., 
John Challis, 
Moses Sawyer, 
] Leonard Judkins, 
Jacob Garland, 
Edward Fifield, 
Reuben Iloit, 
William Searle, 



Jacob Bohonon, 
William Webster, 
John Jemson, 
Gideon Dow, 
Nathan Greeley, 
Philip Lufkin, 
Joseph Meloon, 
Eben'r Tucker, 
Jacob Tucker, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Beniah Bean, 
Edward Scribner, 
Benj'n Scril^ner, 
Iddo Scribner, 
Obediah Peters Fifield, 
Abel Tandey, 
John Fifield, 
Joseph French, 
Moses El kins, 
John Collins Gale, 
Nath'l Huntoon, 
Daniel Huntoon, 
John Rowe, 
Jacob True. 



The following soldiers are raw in the Publick service, ( May 27, 1776) : 



Joseph Basford, 
John Bagley, 
Philip Huntoon, 
Sam'l Loveren, 
Wells Burbank, 



Reuben Iloit, Jun'r, 
Ebenezer Scribner, 
Simeon Sanborn, 
James Basford, 
Jonathan Huntoon, 



Joseph Loveren, 
Rowell Colby, 
Israel Webster. 



Our next enlistment for 1776 was for the relief of the north- 
ern army. In Capt. Osgood's company, of Concord, we find 
the name of Capt, John Webster, of Salisbury, as his Lieuten- 
ant ; also the name of Edmund Sawyer as private in his com- 
pany. The regiment was commanded by Col. Moody Bedel. 
The record of this regiment was not fortunate. 

Upon the evacuation of Boston by the British, part of their 
army soon after invaded New York. Another portion, command- 



256 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

ed by Burgoyne, invaded Canada by way of Quebec. The 
New Hampshire regiments which had been at the siege were 
first ordered to New York, and our Salisbury men, thirteen in 
number, were in Col. Stark's regiment. According to the roll 
recently found, on the 26th day of May, 1776, their names were 
John Basford, James Basford, John Bagley, 'Wells Burbank, 
Rowell Colby, Reuben Hoit, Jr., Jona. Huntoon, Philip Hun- 
toon, Samuel Loverin, Joseph Loverin, Ebenezer Scribner, 
Simon Sanborn and Israel Webster. 

Reinforcements were called for. Another regiment was or- 
ganized to reinforce Washington at New York. It was com- 
manded by Col. J. Wyman, and to serve six months. Capt. 
James Shepard, of Canterbury, recuited a company. Salisbury 
furnished ten men for this company, viz: John Bean, Ensign; 
Benj. Huntoon, Orderly Sergeant ; Privates, Cutting Stevens, 
Stephen Call, James Johnson, Samuel Scribner, Philip Flanders, 
Jona. Scribner, Jona. Foster, Robert Wise. 

After the unfortunate battle of Long Island, in August, 
Washington again appealed to New Hampshire for aid. Salis- 
bury had furnished already her full quota. Her population was 
only about 600. Her able-bodied men, between the ages of 
fifteen and fifty, were about eighty. Our Legislature gave 
authority to Col. Nahum Baldwin, of Amherst, to raise another 
regiment. 

A PATRIOTIC EXAMPLE, 

Capt. Ebenezer Webster, who then commanded the company 
of militia, was appealed to to furnish men. Ten men holding 
militia commissions, and some others, volunteered to serve as 
privates in the company commanded by Capt. Benjamin Emery, 
of Concord, and were mustered into service on the 20th day of 
September, 1776, as will be seen hereafter. 

According to the roll of the company examined more recent- 
ly, and other evidence, we are enabled to state that Captain 
Webster on this occasion said he had already asked enough 
from his soldiers and that now he would turn out himself as a 
private; and challenged his brother ofificers and others of the 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 257 

"alarm list" to follow his example. Accordingly his Lieuten- 
ant, Robert Smith, Ensign Moses Garland, and Orderly Ser- 
geant Andrew Pettengill, all acceiDted the challenge, as did also 
Ensign Andrew Bohonon, of the alarm list, and his neighbors, 
Edward Eastman, Joseph Eifield, Edward Fifield, Joshua Morse 
and Stephen Bohonon. He also resigned the office of chairman 
of the board of selectmen, and Jonathan Cram was chosen in 
his place. Here was a signal exhibition of true patriotism and 
love of country, as shown by these ten men, including also 
Joseph Pjcan and Nathaniel Huntoon, who enlisted in Captain 
Goffe's company of the same regiment. All but two were 
heads of families; disregarding office and rank in the time of 
the country's greatest peril, they selected the private station as 
the post of honor. They joined the army in season to partici- 
pate in the battle of White Plains. 

The noble and disinterested example of these men of course 
had not only a favorable effect in advancing their own popular- 
ity with the people at home, but also infused new energy and 
spirit into the apparently drooping cause of our country. The 
year closed with some success to our arms by the capture of 
the Hessian forces, at Trenton and Princeton. The number of 
our army was much diminished; Congress found that short en- 
listments had operated unfavorably, and the States were called 
upon to furnish an increased number of men, for three years or 
during the war. 

A CHANGE OF OFFICERS. 

In January, 1777, Col. Stark resigned, in consequence of be- 
ing superseded by the appointment of Brig. Gen. Poor over 
him. Col. Joseph Cilley assumed the command of the first 
New Hampshire Regiment of continental soldiers ; Male had 
command of the second, and Scammell of the third. The regi- 
ments had, as before suggested, been much reduced in num- 
bers, and our Legislature and the town authorities were obliged 
to put forth the most vigorous exertions to fill up the ranks of 
these regiments to the required standard. 
17 



258 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

SOLDIERS RAISED BY BOUNTY. 

This town was obliged to offer bounties of $70.00 each, to 
meet its quota. We find John Ash, who had enlisted March 
8, 1777, to serve during the war, discharged December 31, 1781, 
and Ananiah Bohonon, Philip Flanders and John Bowen, en- 
listed March 13, 1 781, in Col. Cilley's regiment and in Capt. 
Morrill's company, were discharged December 31, 1781. 

The following men were enlisted for three years in Col. Alex- 
ander Scammell's regiment : Moses Fellows, Orderly Sergt. in 
Capt. Gray's company; and Ephraim Heath, Reuben Greeley, 
Reuben Hoit, Matthew Greeley, Philip Lufkin, Wm. Bayley, 
Daniel Felch, Benj. Howard and Joshua Snow, as privates. 
These fourteen men were our quota of continental soldiers for 
three years, and were mustered into service in March, 1777. 

TICONDEROGA. 

In the meantime Ikirgoyne with his army was threatening 
our northern frontier. The important fort of Ticonderoga was 
in danger. Our State was appealed to to relieve that fort and 
men were dispatched for that purpose. 

In June, 1777, Capt. Ebenezer Webster, Lieut. Peter Kim- 
ball, of Boscawen, and Ensign Richard Herbert, of Concord, 
marched with seventy men to relieve Ticonderoga. They pen- 
etrated Vermont about twenty miles, when they learned that the 
fort had been evacuated, and then returned. 

A DRAFT ORDERED. 

In July, 1777, the State militia was divided into eighteen 
regiments and two brigades. Gen. William Whipple had com- 
mand of the first brigade and Gen. John Stark of the second 
brigade, of nine regiments each. It was also voted by the New 
Hampshire Assembly that one-quarter part of the militia of the 
second brigade, also of Col. Thornton's regiment, of London- 
derry, Col. Webster's regiment, of Chester, and Col. Badger's 
regiment, of Gilmanton, in the first brigade, be forthwith drafted 
for the service of this State, to march immediately for the 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 259 

defence of this and the neighboring States, to prevent the 
ravages of the enemy therein. 

We are happy to be able to say that there was no occasion 
to draft soldiers in most of our towns. Both officers and men 
volunteered to serve for the term of two months, commencing 
with the 20th of July, when they were mustered into service. 

SALISHURY's roll at nENNINGTON. 

We here present the roster of Capt. Ebenezer Webster's 
company, which fought in the battle of Bennington, on the i6th 
of August, 1777: 

We first give the name of Adjutant Edward Evans, as one of 
the staff officers of Col. Stickney's regiment. He was the 
schoolmaster of Salisbury at that time. 

Capt. Ebenezer Webster, Salisbury, commanding the com- 
pany. 

Lieut. William Emery, of Andover, excused by reason of 
sickness. 

Lieut. Robert Smith, Salisbury. 

Lieut. Andrew Bohonon, Salisbury. 

Ensign William Pope, Hillsborough. 

1st Sergt. John Hoyt, Warner. 

2d Sergt. Paschal Pressey, Warner. 

3d Sergt. Robert Gould, Hillsborough. 

4th Sergt. Abraham Fifield, Salisbury. 

1st Corporal, William Booth, Hillsborough. 

2d Corporal, Paul S. Manton, Andover. 

3d Corporal, Samuel Lovering, Salisbury. 

4th Corporal, Joshua Morse, Salisbury. 

Drummer, John Sanborn, Salisbury. 

Fifer, Jonathan Foster, Salisbury. 

PRIVATES. 

Eld. I5enj. lluntoon, Salisbury. John Fifield, Salisbury. 

William Searle, " Joseph Fifield, " 

Richard Turmont, " Edward Fifield, " 

Iddo Scribner, " Jona. Fifield, " 

Henj. Scribner, " Jacob Hohonon, " 

Peter Severance, " Wm. Calef, " 

Kowell Colby, " Edmund Sawyer, " 



26o HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Joseph Fellows, Andover. Abel Elkins, Salisbury. 

Eben. Tilton, " James Johnson, " 

Thomas Sleeper, " Jacob Garland, " 

Nath. Burwash, " Geo. Bagley, " 

Jedediah Sleeper, " Moses Welsh, " 

Philip Mitchell, " Dan'l Brocklebank, " 

Wm. Morey, " Matthew Pettengill, " 

Reuben Kezar, Canterbury. Edward Eastman, " 

John C. Gale, Salisbury. John McNiel, Hillsborough. 

Jacob True, " Wm. Simons, " 

John Jemson, " Asa Dresser, " 

Robt. Barber, " James Gibson, " 

Jos. Tucker, " Sam'l Preston, " 

Moses Elkins, " Solo. Andrews, '' 

John Smith, " Dan'l Shepard, Canterbury. 

Wm. Newton, " Abner Watkins, Warner. 

Israel Webster, " Francis Davis, " 

David Pettengill, " John Palmer. " 

Rank and file from Salisbury, forty-one militia men. To this 
number add Ensign Andrew Pettengill, who served in this cam- 
paign as Ensign, in the Concord and Boscawen company. We 
had also three other men, enrolled in Col. George Reed's con- 
tinental regiment, viz : Samuel Sanders, Jacob Morrill and Jos- 
eph Meloon, making of the continental and militia men in actual 
service, in the summer of 1777, forty-five militia men and seven- 
teen continental or regular troops, a total of sixt3^-two men. 

Of Col. Reed's men, all had been in the battle of Hubbard- 
ton. Samuel Sanders was reported among the missing, but 
was finally restored to service. Ensign Andrew Pettengill 
never recovered from the injury he received in the battle of 
August 1 6th, but died on the 12th of December following. 

Capt. Webster's company belonged to that part of Col. 
Stickney's regiment which was stationed opposite to the log 
entrenchments of Col. Baum. Capt. Iddo Scribner, who was 
then present, informed Mr. Nesmith that one of Baum's cannon 
was frequently discharged in front of their company, but the 
shot hit the trees over their heads. Capt. Webster remarked 
to Col. Stickney, " Wc must get nearer to the enemy." Hence 
the command was given to advance, and "we soon mounted the 
entrenchment and made good use of our guns." Joseph Fifield 
was the first man to mount the enemy's breastworks. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 26 1 

John McNiel, of Hillsborough, was the strongest man in 
Capt. Webster's company, and knocked over four of the Hes- 
sians with the butt end of his musket. John McNeil, (after- 
wards Lieut. McNeil) was the father of Gen. John McNeil, dis- 
tinguished in the military campaign of 1814, also of Gen. Sol. 
McNeil, a well-known citizen of Hillsborough. He was re- 
markable for his stalwart form and physical strength. 

The method of McNeil's successful onset at Bennington is 
fortified by the opinion of Gen. Grant, who in a recent inter- 
view with Bismarck and his generals, at Berlin, said that he 
"would take away the bayonet, as so much useless weight, and 
use the butt ends of the muskets instead." 

NEW Hampshire's loss. 

The men of New Hampshire put forth their whole power to 
defeat Burgoyne, in 1777. Their sacrifices and losses for that 
year alone were probably not exceeded in the remaining years 
of the entire war. New Hampshire lost men at Brandywine 
and Germantown, also at Ticonderoga, Fort Anne, and Hub- 
bardton — in all at least fifty men and probably more. At Ben- 
nington the loss was nearly seventy men. At Stillwater, Gen. 
Poor's brigade, which contained our three continental regi- 
ments and Maj. Dearborn's battalion of four companies, in the 
battle of September 19th, sustained the loss, according to Wil- 
kinson's return, of one hundred and si.xty-one men killed and 
wounded, more than half of the whole American loss in that 
action. In the ne.xt battle New Hampshire had a larger num- 
ber of troops engaged, though not suffering so severe a loss in 
men. Wilkinson made no return of the battle of October 7th, 
but the estimate may be safely made that our loss in killed and 
wounded in that engagement could not have been less than one 
hundred. 

It will be understood that one-quarter of the militia of Gen. 
Whipple's brigade, besides several detachments of volunteers 
from Stark's brigade, were at Saratoga, exclusive of the con- 
tinental forces. 



262 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Our summary of the loss in the campaign of 1777 may be 
put down as follows: Hubbardton, 50; Bennington, 70; Sara- 
toga, 260. Total number of New Hampshire troops killed and 
wounded, 380. 

Though the Salisbury men were largely exposed, and though 
Sanders was reported among the missing at Hubbardton, Pet- 
tengill wounded at Bennington, and Lufkin and Bayley wound- 
ed at Stillwater, yet no death resulted except that of Andrew 
Pettengill. It is»well known that after the surrender of Bur- 
goyne, Poor's brigade rejoined Washington's army, which went 
into winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Here the 
whole army suffered extremely from exposure and sickness, 
and from want of clothing and provisions. Early in 1778 dis- 
ease began to thin the ranks of our veterans, and in March and 
April we lost four of our men in camp, who had been exposed 
to the perils and privations of the preceding year, viz: Ephraim 
Heath, Reuben Greeley, Philip Lufkin, and William Bayley, all 
of Capt. Gray's company, Col. Scammell's regiment. 

BATTLE OF MONMOUTH. 

In June, 1778, the battle of Monmouth was fought, when a 
part of our continental regiments were engaged, and conducted 
so well as to receive the special approbation of Gen. Washing- 
ton upon the field. 

EXPEDITION TO RHODE ISLAND. 

In August of this year the expedition to Rhode Island was 
organized and executed, under the command of Gen. Sullivan. 
Col. Moses Nichols, of Amherst, raised a regiment to serve 
about a month, in Gen. Whipple's brigade. Capt. Ebenezer 
Webster, of Salisbury, commanded the third company in this 
regiment. Elder Benjamin Huntoon was his Orderly Sergeant 
and Edward Eastman was Corporal. The following men from 
Salisbury were privates in his company : Lieut. Robert Smith, 
Ensign Andrew Bohonon, Joseph Fifield, Samuel Scribner, 
Benj. Pettengill, James Johnson, Wm. Calef, Jonathan Fifield, 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 263 

Shubael Fifield, Joseph Hoyt, Winthrop Fifield, Ensign Moses 
Garland, Jeremiah Bowen, John Sanborn, Moses Welch, Benj, 
Eastman, and Phineas Bean. Also, in Col. Center's regiment, 
Joseph Bean, Joseph Webster, and Daniel Oilman. The total 
numbering twenty-two rank and file. 

In the battle of Rhode Island, Phineas Bean was severely 
wounded in the face. 

MORE SOLDIERS RECRUITED. 

July 12, 1779, a town meeting was called, at which Captain 
Matthew Pettengill and Capt. Ebenezer Webster were appoint- 
ed a committee to aid the selectmen in procuring four men for 
the continental army, to serve during the war ; also two sol- 
diers to serve six months at Rhode Island. Stephen Bohonon 
and James Johnson were enlisted to serve at Rhode Island. 
They were severally to receive thirty bushels of Indian corn, in 
addition to their ordinary wages, as a bounty from the town. 
The following four men were enlisted for the continental army 
and were mustered in in June, 1780. Each man received a 
liberal amount of continental money, which was then worth but 
about twenty per cent., as a bounty. The four men were Geo. 
Hackett, David Greeley, Jonathan Fifield and Joseph Webster. 

During this year, 1779, Gen. Sullivan invaded the Indian 
country. John Bean, of Salisbury, was wounded at Newton, 
N. Y., and afterwards received half-pay from the State in con- 
sequence of his disability. 

S.\LISHURY MEN AT WEST POINT. 

In 1780, Capt. Ebenezer Webster commanded the fourth 
companv in Col. Moses Nichols's regiment, raised for the defence 
of West Point, and stationed there for eight months. Winthrop 
Carter, of Boscawen, was the first Lieutenant. This company 
was made up from the enlistments in the towns that constituted 
Col. Stickney's regiment of militia. From Salisbury we recog- 
nize the names of Robert Wise, Stephen Bohonon, Jethro Bar- 
ber, Joseph Hoyt, Benj. Eastman, S. Fifield, Winthrop Fifield, 
Benj. Ingalls aud Thomas Welch. 



264 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

The late Stephen Bohonon is authority for the following 
incident, which occurred at West Point during his sevice at 
that place : 

In the month of September, after the treachery of Arnold 
had been discovered, being the night after he had escaped and 
joined the enemy, Washington called Capt. Webster into his 
tent, and requested him to order his company on guard before 
it during that night, observing, "If I cannot trust you, I cannot 
trust any man." Capt. Webster answered, "You may rely on 
me and my men." Bohonon remarked that Washington was 
much excited and that he spent the night without sleep, writing 
in his tent. It was a time of great distrust ; but Washington's 
confidence in the men of New Hampshire was not misplaced, 
and was justly claimed by Capt. Webster and his company as a 
mark of high distinction and honor. When Washington was 
first elected President, Col. Webster was an elector for this 
State and had the privilege of voting for him. 

A BOUNTY PAID IN COWS. 

In the year 1780 the term of service of the three years con- 
tinental men expired, and it became necessary to re-enlist some 
fifteen men, to take the places of those who were discharged. 
In addition to the four men who took the places of those who 
died at Valley Forge, the following men were secured, most of 
them for three years, others for less time. The bount}' de- 
manded and paid was chiefly in cows, at the rate of four cows 
at $12.00 each, for each year of service, or about $50.00 in sil- 
ver or gold per year. Continental currency was then reduced 
to a standard of about fifteen dollars for every hundred. 

The following men were enlisted to serve as above stated for 
three years, for Salisbury, from the spring of 1780: Joshua 
Snow, John Smith, Moses Fellows, John Fellows, Jr., John 
Ash, Geo. Nichols, Josiah Mason, Benj. Howard, Wm. Lufkin, 
Ananiah Bohonon, Josiah Smith, and Thomas Cross. 

For Col. Geo. Reed's regiment, the following men were ob- 
tained : Samuel Sanders, Ed. Scribner, Jethro Barber, Joseph 
Meloon, and S. Fifield. 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 265 

Geo. Nichols was enlisted in Exeter, for the quota of Salis- 
bury, by Hon. Josiah Bartlett, and was not from this region. 
He subsequently deserted, was imprisoned, and finally returned 
to his regiment. 

We give the form and substance of the contract the town 
made with the soldiers during the last three years of the war, 
who engaged to serve in the continental ranks, as to bounties, 
showing that the cow was preferable to continental money. 
Here is the contract with John Fellows, Jr. : 

Dec. I2th, 17S2. 

We the subscribers do promise and engage, for and in behalf of the Town of 
Salisbury, to pay or cause to be paid unto John Fellows, Jun., twelve heifers three 
years old, with a calf by their side, or fair with calf, to calf in good season for a 
dairy, to be delivered to him or his order, on, or before the first day of May, 1784, 
at the House of Matthew Pettengill, in said Salisbury, provided the Said Fellows 
serve in the Continental Army, for and during the space of three years, from about 
the middle of February, 1781, if not, the same to be paid in proportion to his service 
for said Town. 

Signed, lOHN COLLINS, ( Selectmen 

PHIXEAS BEAN, ) of Salisbury. 

snow's RECEIPT. 

Nov. 1 6th, 17S4. 
Rec'd of the Selectmen of Salisbury, nine middling cows to the amount of loS 
Spanish Milled Dollars, acreeably to a Note of the Town of Salisbury, the same 
being a gratuity by Said Town for service done by me in the Continential Army. 

JOSHUA SNOW. 

COMPANIES OF 1 78 1 AND 1 782. 

The following men were raised from Salisbury to reinforce 
the army in New York, and served in various companies in the 
regiment commanded by Col. D. Reynolds, of Londonderry: 

Moses Webster, Thomas Challis, Henry Elkins, 

Peter Whittemore, J. Fifield, Sam'l Meloon, 

J. Judkins, lienj. Sanborn, S. French. 

Peter Severance, .Xbel Morrill, 

Edward Eastman, Jacob Morrill, 

In November, 1781, the following soldiers enlisted for three 
months and were returned to Col. Stickney, viz: Moses Fel- 
lows, Matthew Greeley, Benj. Sanborn, Elisha Shepard. 



266 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. s 

Levi Lufkin enlisted April 9, 1781 ; discharged December 
31, 1781. John Smith enlisted March 31, 1781; discharged 
December 31, 1781. Samuel Sanders enlisted in March, and 
was discharged in December, 1781. 

In 1782, Capt. Ebenezer Webster performed a six months 
service in the north part of this State. His Lieutenant was 
James Ladd, of Haverhill. Jeremiah Bowen v/as the only priv- 
ate from Salisbury. Josiah Haines, of Andover, and Edward 
Dyer, of Northfield, were also soldiers in his company. An 
entry against the name of Jonathan Pike, of Haverhill, shows 
that he was taken prisoner June 13, 1782, Most of the soldiers 
of this company resided in the north part of the State. It was 
known as the "Ranger Service," and was the last in which 
Capt. Webster was engaged in this war. 



THE WAR OF 1812. 

Our means of reporting the achievements of the men and the 
events of the war of 18 12 are very inadequate, in consequence 
of our inability to have access to the army rolls, which are 
presumed to be at Washington. 

One of our active officers in the army of the United States 
during the war, and in the campaign against the western In- 
dians antecedent to this war, was Captain John Smith. He 
was a member of Dartmouth College, and in the class with 
Ezekiel Webster and Thomas Hale Pettengill, but did not 
graduate. 

He was the son of Capt. Robert Smith, who served often and 
bravely in the Revolutionary War. 

After he left college he enlisted in the army and had com- 
mand of a company in the battle of Tippecanoe, in 18 11, fought 
by Gen. Harrison. We heard him give a graphic account of 
that battle. 

His brother, Jabez Smith, had the rank of Major in the first 
Regiment of the United States Volunteers, mustered in this 
State on the 28th of November, 18 12, serving one year under 



THE WAR OF l8l2. 267 

Col. Aquilla Davis, of Warner, and Lt. Col. John Carter, of 
Concord. He was stationed on our northern frontier. At 
the end of this year Congress broke up the volunteers, and 
Major Smith returned to his farm, then in Salisbury, now 
Franklin. He was a good citizen, distinguished for his good 
sense and sound judgment, and was elected to the office of 
selectmen and representative of Salisbury. He died in Frank- 
lin. 

In the year 1814, our seaport, Portsmouth, was threatened 
by the British navy, and our militia were called upon more 
than once to defend this port. We believe the quota required 
from this town volunteered their services, no draft being re- 
quired. Those who were mustered for three months, from the 
nth day of September, 18 14, were the following named men, 
viz : Capt. Jona. Bean, and his son, Phineas Bean, as waiter ; 
Privates Benj. Fifield, Moses Fifield, Enoch Fifield, Samuel 
Fifield, Jonathan P. Sanborn, Nehemiah Lowell, Matthew T. 
Hunt, Wm. Johnson, John Johnson, Nathaniel Stevens, John 
Webster, Jesse Wardwell, Moses Osgood, Jun., enlisted in the 
United States service, October i, 18 [4. Of the sixty days 
men who enlisted October 2, 18 14, in the company commanded 
by Capt. Silas Call, of Boscawen, we find the following men : 
Lt. Samuel Ouimby, Ord. Sergt. Timothy Hoit, Corp. Thomas 
Chase, A. B. Bohonon, musician; Privates Nathan Tucker, 
Jabez True, Theodore George, Samuel Webster, Jona. Morrill, 
Isaac Proctor, Joseph Fifield, Joseph Adams. 

In Col. Davis's Regiment, in the company commanded by 
Capt. Thomas Currier, we recognize the following soldiers, who 
served one year, as belonging to Salisbury : Daniel Woodward, 
Serg. Jere. Bean ; Privates Samuel Fifield, Wm. Frazier, Amos 
George, Jeremiah Gove. 

In Capt. Mason's company, Joel Judkins, Jonathan Johnson, 
John Sanborn, J. Ouimby, Edward West, Ebenezer Webster 
Bohonon, also served for one year or more, but we are not able 
to state their company or regiment. Ithamar Watson was a 
Captain of Minute Men. 



268 HISTORY OF SAL-ISBURY. 

The following named soldiers are also credited to Salisbury: 
James Currier, Joseph Stevens, Moses Morse, Abel Wardvvell, 
Samuel Kezer, Matthew Sanborn, Paul Greeley, and Richard 
Greeley. 



THE WAR WITH MEXICO. 

In 1845, the vast territory known as Texas, to which Mexico 
laid a claim of possession, was annexed to the United States, 
which led to war. At the meeting of Congress, in December, 
two millions of dollars was voted, and the President issued a 
call for fifty thousand soldiers. 

The regular army and volunteers met the demand without 
creating a necessity for State governments to furnish a given 
quota. Recruiting offices were opened in the cities and at other 
points, and men enlisted freely. We have no evidence that 
Salisbury furnished any soldiers. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

"Through quiet valleys sounded clear the war drum's rolling beat, 

And soon was heard, in prompt reply, the tramp of many feet, 

And breaking rudely from the clasp of peace and love of home. 

Brave souls rushed on, where battle's surge was crowned with crimson foam." 

PREPARING FOR THE STRUGGLE. 

For years there had been a growing discontent in the south- 
ern section of the Union. Though the area of slavery had been 
increased, the desire for still broader fields in which it might 
flourish was constantly strengthened. Threats were uttered 
that the Union would be sundered, if the liberal policy which 
had been exercised toward the institution of slavery was modi- 
fied, and there were men, even in the free states, ready to acqui- 
esce in an act of secession. 

A change of administration, by the election of i860, involv- 
ing a probable radical political change in governmental policy, 
was accepted as a sufficient cause for secession by most of 
the southern States, and the forming of an independent confed- 
eration. 

This was in anticipation of any action by the government, 
for the new administration could exercise no authority for 
months to come. 

On the 27th day of December, i860, the confederates seized 
Forts Moultrie and Pickens. On the 9th day of January, 1861, 
they fired their first shot, from Fort Moultrie and Morris 
Island, into a government vessel carrying troops and supplies to 
Major Anderson, who had transferred his entire force to Fort 
Sumpter. 



270 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Treason had now disclosed itself; overt acts had been com- 
mitted, rebellion was inaugurated, and nothing remained for the 
government to do but to put forth its strong arm to crush a 
rebellion which threatened the life of the republic. Men were 
called into the field at first by thousands, and then by tens of 
thousands, and money was voted by millions to carry on a fra- 
ternal strife that could not be averted. 

But it is not for us here to discuss the causes, the prosecution, 
or the results of the war, but to record the acts of the people, 
in furnishing money and men to meet the demand of the govern- 
ment. 

On the day following the evacuation of Fort Sumpter, Presi- 
dent Lincoln issued a call for seventy-five thousand volunteers 
for three months' service. On the call. New Hampshire furnish- 
ed one regiment of infantry, which was placed under command 
of Mason W. Tappan. We do not find a record of any Salis- 
bury men in this regiment. 

In accordance with the requirements of law, the selectmen 
for 1 861 transmitted to the Secretary of State a list of the 
names of men liable to do military duty, numbering one hun- 
dred and two. Some of these men could have obtained cer- 
tificates of exemption had they submitted to an examination, 
and thus reduced the quota for the town. Accepting this basis, 
Salisbury furnished not only the required number, but a small 
surplus. 

There was not on the first call many citizens coming forward 
for the service, nor was the quota finally filled from our own 
citizens. In this respect, Salisbury was not unlike many other 
towns. But when bounties were offered and a draft was ordered, 
the ranks were filled by residents and substitutes as fast as 
requisitions were made. A record of the action of the town in 
relation to this matter is given in the municipal history on 
preceding pages, but additional votes were afterwards passed. 

June 16, 1 864. Voted, "To authorize the selectmen of this 
town to borrow a sum of money not to exceed six thousand 
dollars, to purchase ten volunteers or substitutes, to fill the 
quota of this town." 



WAR OF thp: rebellion. 271 

Voted, "To authorize the selectmen of this town to borrow 
such sums of money from time to time, as may be necessary to 
purchase volunteers or substitutes, to fill the quota of the town, 
as they may be called for by the President of the United States, 
such sums of money not to exceed fifty thousand dollars." 

Voted, "That the selectmen act as agent or agents of the 
town for the above purpose." 

The selectmen were Isaac Sanborn, John R. llrown and Ira 
H. Couch. 

From the above votes it will be seen that the town of Salis- 
bury made liberal provisions for raising and supporting its 
quota of soldiers for prosecuting the war. 

The loth Regiment was raised under a call made in July, 
1862, for three hundred thousand three years troops. Captain 
Michael T. Donahoe, of Manchester, of the 3d Regiment, was 
appointed Colonel. The camp was established at Manchester, 
and the men began to arrive at the rendezvous, which was 
named Camp Pillsbury, in honor of Hon. Oliver Pillsbury of 
the Governor's Council, on August 20, 1862, and were mustered 
in on the 5th of the following September. The regiment con- 
sisted of nine hundred and twenty-eight officers and men. 

Company E was raised at Andover, and was commanded by 
Capt. Aldrich B. Cook, who resigned January 9th, 1863, and 
was succeeded by Capt. Thomas C. Trumbull, of Manchester, 
who was in turn succeeded by Capt. James A. Sanborn, of 
Portsmouth. The following are the names of the men who 
enlisted from Salisbury: 

.Sergt. John C. Carter, enlisted Sept. i, 1S62, discharged for disability, Jan. 9, 1S65, 
Private William C. Heath, enlisted Sept. i, 1862, discharged June 21, 1S65, died in 

Salisbury. 
Private Calvin Hoyt, enlisted Sept. i, 1S62, discharged June, 14, 1S65. 

" Anson W. Glines, enlisted Sept. i, 1S65, discharged for disability, Nov. 16, 

1S63, died in Salisbury, Oct. 15, 1883. 
Private Willis W. Kenniston, enlisted Sept. i, 1S62, died of the Black Measles at 

Newport, Penn., Feb. 18, 1863. 
Private Alfred Sanborn, enlisted Sept. i, 1S62, discharged June 21, 1S65, resides at 

Penacook. 
Private Harry Scott, enlisted Sept. i, 1862, died of disease at Bermuda Hundreds, 

Jan. 30, 1865. 



2/2 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Private William Whittemore, enlisted Sept. i, 1S62, discharged for disability Feb 

2S, 1S65. 
Private Nathaniel A. Ilodge, enlisted .Sept. i, 1S62, wounded severely June 3, 

1S64, mustered out May 12, 1865. 
Private Henry M. French, enlisted Sept. 12, died at Portsmouth, Va., Oct. 30, 1863. 
" George Atwood, enlisted Sept. i, 1862, promoted to Corp., wounded severely 

at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, mustered out July 10, 1S65. 
Private George W. Chase, enlisted Sept. i, 1S62, mustered out June 3, 1864. 

The i6th Regiment was raised under the call of the Presi- 
dent for three hundred thousand nine months men, the term of 
service being from October 20, 1862, to August, 1863. This 
regiment was under the command of Col. James Pike. Com- 
pany E was commanded by Capt. Jonathan P. Sanborn, of 
Franklin. From Salisbury we find the following men in the 
above company, who were discharged at the close of service : 

Sergt. Benjamin Gale, Corp. Alonzo D. Davenport, Corp. 
George F. Smith ; Privates Evan M. Heath, Harrison V. Heath, 
Moses Colby, William R. Dimond, Ferdinand M. Daysburg, 
Benjamin L. Frazier. Charles K. Heath died three days after 
his return to Salisbury, August 19, 1863; Albert A. G. French 
died at Port Hudson, La., July i, 1863; Henry C. George died 
at Port Hudson, La., July 29, 1863 ; Charles Colby died of dis- 
ease at Baton Rouge, La., July 20, 1863; Meshech W. Blaisdell 
died at Cairo, while on his way home. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

In the First New England Cavalry, which after its arrival in 
Washington was united with the First Rhode Island Cavalry, 
we find the following: 

Corp. Madison B. Davis, enlisted as Corporal, December 17, 
1861, TroopI; promoted to Sergt. July 13, 1862; re-enlisted 
January 5, 1864. Cyrus C. Huntoon, bugler, enlisted Decem- 
ber 16, 1 86 1, Troop I, 

Private William Bagley, enlisted December 20, 1861, Co. H, 
8th Regt. ; killed at Port Hudson, La., June 14, 1863. 

Private Andrew J. Colby, enlisted at the same time in the 
same company and regiment, died of disease at Baton Rouge, 
La., June 27, 1863. 



WAR OF THE REBELLION. 2/3 

John Miller, enlisted in Co. F, 2d Regt. 

Lieut. Joseph C. Clifford, enlisted September 6, 1864; ist 
Lieut. Co. E, ist Regt. 

Jonathan J. Bagley, enlisted September 18, 1861, Co. K, 4th 
Regt. ; killed in action near Petersburg, Va., July 5, 1864. 

M. H. Whitmore, enlisted September 17, 1862, Co. G, 5th 
Regt. 

Clinton A. Shaw, enlisted September 9, 1862, Co. G, 12th 
Regt. ; mustered out June 21, 1865. 

John G. Maxfield, enlisted November 7, 1861, Co. E, 7th 
Regt. ; discharged for disability, at St. Augustine, Florida, 
June 6, 1863; returned to Salisbury and remained some four 
months ; went to Boston and re-enlisted in the Massachusetts 
Cavalry ; served two years, then went to White River Junction, 
Vt., where he died. 

Henry Sanborn, enlisted November 24, 1861, Co. F, 2d Regt. 
U. S. Sharpshooters; discharged for disability March 6, 1862; 
re-enlisted September 12, 1862, in Co. E, loth Regt.; dis- 
charged June 21, 1865. He is credited to Andover, but be- 
longed in Salisbury. 

Frank Stevens, i8th Regt. N. H. Infantry. 

The following residents of the town were also in service, but 
we have little knowledge concerning their record beyond the 
fact of enlistment : 

Frank D. Kimball, Co. E, 4th Regt. ; discharged January 22, 
1863. John Woodward, Ebenezer Farnum, James Farnum, 
Charles Bruce, Caleb B. Smith, Henry Moores, Benjamin S. 
Heath, Joseph Ladd, Read Huntoon; James W. Gardner, en- 
listed July 27, 1864, in Veteran Reserve Corps; Daniel W. 
Shaw, enlisted February 16, 1864, in Co. E, 3d Regt., credited 
tQ Portsmouth ; C. O. Wheeler, George H. Whitman, W. C. 
Whitman. 

The following soldiers were either natives or residents of the 
town of Salisbury at the time of their enlistment, but enlisted 
out of the town or State: 

Amos S. Bean, credited to and enlisted from Manchester, in 
Co. A, Heavy Artillery, which was raised to garrison Fort Con- 
18 



274 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

stitution, in Portsmouth, under Capt. Davidson ; transferred to 
Co. E, 9th Regt., August 25, 1862; discharged for disability, at 
Camp Dennison, Ohio, January 22, 1864. 

George E. Bean, credited to and enlisted from Manchester, 
August 23, 1862, in Co. A, loth Regt.; killed at Cold Harbor, 
Va., June 3, 1864. 

Albert Kilburn, enlisted at Boston, in the 5th Mass. Regt. 
of three months men ; honorably discharged ; went to Minneap- 
olis and re-enlisted as a teamster; discharged; afterwards in 
the employ of the government as a carpenter; died at Vicks- 
burg, Miss. 

Abraham S. Sanborn is credited to Manchester; enlisted 
September 18, 1861, in Co. G, 4th Regt.; died of disease at St. 
Augustine, Fla., September 3, 1862. 

Samuel Sleeper, credited to Canaan ; enlisted March 26, 
1862, in Co. D, 4th Regt.; discharged April 15, 1865. 

Rufus Emerson, Co. C, 2d Vt. Regt. 

Elbridge G. Emerson, Co. C, 2d Vt. Regt. 

Nathan S. Corser, 22d Mass. Infantry ; killed at Gaines's Mill. 

Charles W. Corser, 6th Mass. Infantry; re-enlisted in the 
22d Mass. 

George (or Henry) Elkins, 2d Regt.; died in hospital at 
Washington. 

John Shaw — record not known. 

Silas Holmes, enlisted April 12,1861, in 6th Mass. 

David F. Bacon, enlisted September 6, 1861, in Co. E, 2d 
Vt.; discharged for disability, January 4, 1864; re-enlisted in 
Co. G, Veteran Reserve Corps of the same State, August, 1864; 
discharged October, 1865. 

Charles H. Bacon, 12th Vermont. 

Daniel R. Calef — (See Genealogy.) 

John Alfred Calef, in the marine service. 

SUBSTITUTES. 

The following are the names of substitutes who performed 
their engagements with the town of Salisbury, and who hon- 
ored themselves and the cause they supported : 



WAR OF THE REBELLION, 2/5 

Thomas Fleming, enlisted December 15, 1862, in Co. G, 4th 
Regt.; captured at Deep Run, Va., Aug. 15, 1864; escaped 
April 5, 1865; mustered out June 5, 1865. 

Hamilton Carr, enlisted November 28, 1864, in Co. C, 4th 
Regt.; mustered out August 25, 1865. 

Octave Vezina, enlisted December 25, 1863, in Co. B, 9th 
Regt.; wounded May 31, 1864; transferred to 6th N. H. Vols., 
June I, 1865. 

John Robinson, enlisted December 24, 1863, in Co. B, 9th 
Regt.; transferred to 6th N. H. Vols., June i, 1865 ; mustered 
out July 17, 1865. 

James Dolan, enlisted December 23, 1863, in Co. A, 9th Regt.; 
wounded July 30, 1864; transferred to 6th N. H. Volunteers, 
June I, 1865 , discharged for disability, July 30, 1865. 

Robert Brown, enlisted December 24, 1863, in Co. A, 9th 
Regt.; wounded July 30, 1864, and died of wounds on the 20th 
of August following. 

James McDonald, enlisted November 29, 1864, in Co. E, (or 
D,) /th Regt.; promoted to Corporal June 26, 1865; mustered 
out July 20, 1865. 

Daniel P. Morrison, enlisted August 15, 1862, in Co. D, 7th 
Regt.; mustered out September 3, 1864; returned and was ap- 
pointed bugler; mustered out June 9, 1865. 

We give the following additional names of substitutes known 
to have been enlisted, but little or no additional information 
can be gathered concerning them : 

James Carroll, Joseph Storms, Henry Miller, Jerry Potter, 
Charles Sutton, Peter Carroll, William Loverin, James Meami.x, 
John Murphy, Co. F, 6th Regt., Warren Dinslow, Co. H, 9th 
Regt., Nathan Lackey, Co. C, 9th Regt., Michael Conners, 
James Moran, George Perry, James Durgin, Corp. Nelson 
Davis, promoted to Sergt. from Troop I ; William B. Winship, 
enlisted October 12, 1861, in Co. G, 5th Regt. and discharged 
for disability March 19, 1863; J. F. Coburn, enlisted for three 
months, 1863; William Williams, three months, 1863; Robert 
Allen, three months, 1863; H. C. Rock, Henry McCarty. 



276 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Twenty-two additional substitutes were enlisted in 1863 and 
1864, and are recorded as deserters, having performed little or 
no service. Having degraded themselves as soldiers, we shall 
not allow them to disgrace the town that employed them, by 
publishing their names. 



CHAPTER XVIIL 



THE NEW HAMPSHIRE MILITIA. 

"A well-regulated militia is the right arm of the nation's defence." 

" Our glad eyes awoke as day begun, 

When broad banners rose to meet the sun, 

And soldier boys went forth with fife and drum." 

ITS ORIGIN. 

The commission issued in 1679, by His Majesty the King, 
to John Cutt, as President of New Hampshire, contained the 
first allusion to the employment of a military force ever made 
by official declaration in the province. Full authority v^^as given 
in the commission to appoint officers for the regulation and dis- 
cipline of a militia, and in case of an invasion, to "encounter, 
e.xpel, repel and resist, by force of arms, any and all persons, 
who shall attempt the destruction, invasion, detriment or an- 
noyance of our subjects." 

The ensuing year a militia was organized, consi.sting of one 
company of foot, in each of the four towns of Portsmouth, 
Dover, Exeter, and Hampton; one company of artillery at the 
fort, and one "troop of horse." From that time to the present, 
a period of more than two hundred years, some form of militia 
has been maintained in New Hampshire. We do not propose 
to follow its history, nor to discuss the military system that has 
been at any time sustained in this State. 

The Congress of New Hampshire, at E.xeter, in 1775, made 
provision that whenever any vacancy occurred in the general 
and field officers, their successors should be chosen by the Coun- 
cil and Assembly, and that all inferior officers should be chosen 
by the respective companies. 



2/8 HISTORY OF SALISBURY, 

A NEW SYSTEM. 

After the Declaration of Independence a new militia system 
became necessary. Two classes of soldiers were constituted, — 
"a Training Band" and "an Alarm List." (See Revolutionary 
History, page 254.) 

The former included all able bodied male persons, from the 
age of sixteen years to that of fifty, with certain exceptions. 
The "alarm list" included those not belonging to the active 
band. This class was to be called into service only upon special 
necessity, and in any sudden emergency were to be summoned 
by the firing of cannon, the beating of drums, and the lighting 
of beacon fires on the hill tops. The beacons of Salisbury 
were on Searle's Hill, and were answered by similar signals from 
other towns. 

The people of this town, during the period of the revolution- 
ary war, were in a state of constant anxiety and watchfulness. 
Those who were not already in the army were in a state of 
readiness to march whenever danger threatened, and wherev- 
er the interests of the country called them. Old men, the 
patriarchs of their day, and the young and brave, all responded 
with enthusiasm to the summons, when it came. 

ANOTHER MODIFICATION. 

March 18, 1780, a new military law was enacted, constituting 
regiments, brigades and divisions, giving the Committee of 
Safety and the President of the Council great authority in the 
appointment of officers and the movements of soldiers. The 
Major General also had a direct voice in the selection of many 
inferior officers. In short, the control was in a more concen- 
trated agency, and the force if rightly conducted was the more 
efficient. 

Changes in the statutes were often made under the provin- 
cial as well as the State government, which it is not our work 
to record. 



THE STATE MILITIA. 2/9 

THE STATE MILITARY FORCE. 

In 1767 there were nine regiments in the province, and one of 
horse-guards; in 1775, there were twelve regiments; in 1788, 
there were in the State twenty-five regiments-, and three of 
light-horse; 1794, seventeen; in 1800, thirty-one; in 1810, thirty- 
seven ; in 1820, thirty-eight. In 1842 there were forty-two regi- 
ments, which that year were organized in six brigades and three 
divisions. The whole number of enrolled men in 1840 was 
32,113. Each regiment was mustered once a year, between the 
first of September and the fifteenth of October, for inspection 
and review, and each company was required to meet for inspec- 
tion and drill on the first Tuesday in May, annually. Each town 
was required, by a ta.x, to meet the expense of these military 
displays. 

BATTALIONS AND REGIMENTS. 

The companies in the towns of Boscawen, Salisbury, Andover, 
New London, and Kearsage Gore, afterwards and now Wilmot, 
and a part of Warner, formed the first battalion. Those at Hop- 
kinton, Sutton, Warner, Fishersfield, (now Newbury,) and Brad- 
ford formed the second battalion ; and those two battalions 
constituted the Twenty-First Regiment, which was at first in- 
cluded in the Third Brigade and Fourth Division, but was sub- 
sequently in the Eighth Brigade. The regimental officers of 
the Twenty-First at this time were Lt. Col. Philip Greely, Com- 
mander, Maj. Joseph Gerrish, First Battalion, Maj. Timothy 
Darling, Second Battalion. In 1808 Isaac Chandler was Lt. Col. 
Commanding, and Moses Jones, Major of the First Battalion. 

MILITIA SERVICE IN THE WARS. 

The military history of this town is so closely identified 
with its war history, whether that of the early or later periods, 
the French and Indian wars, the Revolution, that of 18 12-15, or 
the late civil strife, that we need not repeat its record here. 



280 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

MUSTERS. 

The autumnal muster marks an eventful period in each year. 
To the day when it was to occur, thousands of anxious men, and 
women also, looked forward. It was the theme of conversation 
for weeks before it took place. Mr. Coffin, in his History of 
Boscawen, pictures with graphic pen the anticipations and the 
experiences of the old time muster day. "Everybody," he says, 
"went to muster; the soldier to perform his duty and to drink 
egg-nog; his wife to admire him, and his children to eat ginger- 
bread and candy. There was little sleep the night preceding 
the muster day. Each soldier deemed it his privilege to salute 
his officers by firing beneath the windows, shattering the glass 
by his heavy charges. The salute was acknowledged by an 
invitation to the soldier and everybody else 'to step in and help 
themselves' to rum, gin, whiskey or brandy, and if the officer 
was married, to sit down to 'baked Indian pudding and beans.' 

These annual parades were held in the towns composing a 
regiment, Salisbury having the honor of a due proportion of 
the musters. A muster was held here in 1822, and ever fourth 
year subsequently. One was held on the Webster farm before 
Franklin was organized. 

The day began with a carouse. By sunrise every road lead- 
ing toward the muster-field was swarming with men, — soldiers 
on foot, on horseback, and in wagons, with troops of boys and 
peddlers of every description. 

The volunteer companies took pride in being the first on 
parade, to display their uniforms and marching, before the regi- 
mental line was formed. Then began the drum-beat, — the 
long-roll, the formation of the company by the corporal, the 
reception of officers, the commands of the Captain, 'By sec- 
tions, right wheel, march.' Then the fifes and clarinets and 
bugles began, and the soul-stirring strains floated out on the 
morning air, and the soldiers, with full stomachs and steady steps, 
marched across the field, to the delight of the admiring specta- 
tors. For an hour or more each company marched, counter- 
marched and wheeled in section, in battalion, filed right and 



THE STATE MILITIA. 28l 

left, passed defiles and obstacles, changed front, and display- 
ed itself to the best advantage. 

Then came the formation of the regimental line, the inspec- 
tion and review, and dismissal for dinner, when each man ate 
as he never ate before. On this one day he gorged himself. 
Did he not pay for his dinner.^ Then he was entitled to all he 
could eat. Did the State furnish him with a dinner.' Then 
he could have all he could get. 

Through the forenoon he drinks several glasses of grog. He 
takes another glass after dinner. In the afternoon comes the 
sham-fight, when muskets blaze and cannon roar. The soldier's 
legs are getting weary, and he takes more grog to give him 
strength. 

While the sham-battle is going on there is a crowd upon the 
field. Peddlers are hawking their wares, showmen exhibiting 
their curiosities, a sleight-of-hand performer is pulling ribbons 
out of his mouth, and chewing tow and spitting fire. 

The sham-battle is over, the regiment is in line once more, 
the rear rank has been called before the Colonel, and thanked 
for the soldierly appearance of the troops, and the regiment is 
dismissed. 

Each company moves away, some with broken ranks, some 
with soldiers who are unsteady on their legs. The drummer 
gets his rub-a-dubs mi.xed, and does not quite know whether he 
is playing 'common' or 'compound* time, while the fifer gets 
'Yankee Doodle' confounded with 'On the road to Boston.' 
Soldiers are firing their last gun, hucksters disposing of their 
last sheets of ginger-bread, and the bibulous crowd taking their 
last drink of grog. The sun goes down through the murky 
clouds of the sham-battle, the cannon with sulphurous lips is 
limbered up and taken away, and the field gradually becomes 
deserted." 

The following list comprises Colonels of the 2ist Regiment 
so far as known : 

LIST OF OFFICERS. 

17S6 — Henn' rierrish, Boscawen. 1S26-32 — Moody A. Pilsbury, Hoscawen. 

17S7 — Ebenczer Webster, Salisbury. 1S33 — Joseph Sweat, Andover. 



282 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



1788 — Joshua Bailey, Hopkinton. 

1800 — Joseph Gerrish, Boscawen. 

1802 — John C. Gale, Salisbury. 
1808-10 — Isaac Chandler, Boscawen. 

1813 — Benjamin Swett, Salisbury, 
181 5-17 — Jonathan Weare, Jr., Andover. 

1818 — Moses Gerrish, Boscawen. 
1819-20 — Jonathan Bean, Salisbury. 
1821-23 — John Greeley, Salisbury. 

1824 — Cyrus Chase, Salisbury, 

1825 — Joseph S. Huntoon, Andover. 



1834 — Tho. J. Cilley, Andover. 

183s — John Rowe, Andover. 
1S36-38 — David F. Kimball, Boscawen. 

1839 — Ira Darling, Franklin. 

1841 — Frederick W. Coffin, Boscawen. 

1842 — Nathan P. Ames, Boscawen. 
1843-44 — John S. Pressey, Sutton. • 

1847 — Enoch Gerrish, Boscawen. 

1848 — John C. .Smith, Salisbury. 
1849-50 — Joseph L. Pillsbury, Boscawen. 
1851-53 — Gustavus V. Webster, Salisbury. 



EARLY MILITIA OFFICERS. 



The following is a list of early militia officers in the town of 
Salisbury, as nearly as can be ascertained : 



Capt. John Webster, 



FIRST COMPANY. 

Lt. Matthew Pettengill, Ens. Andrew Bohonon, 



1774- 

Capt. Ebenezer Webster, Lt. Robert Smith, 

Lt. Robert Smith, Ens. Andrew Pettengill, 

Ens. Moses Garland, Capt. Ebenezer Webster, 

Capt. Ebenezer Webster, Lt. Robert Smith, 



Lt. William Calef, 
Ens. Joseph Fifield. 



Capt. Robert Smith, 
Lt. Jos. Fifield, 
Lt. Samuel Pillsbury, 
Ens. John C. Gale, 
Capt. Robert Smith, 
Lt. Samuel Pillsbury, 



1784. 

Lt. John C. Gale, 
Ens. Abram Fifield, 
Capt. John C. Gale, 
Lt. Aquilla Pingrey, 
Ens. Benjamin Eastman, 
Capt. Aquilla Pingrey, 



Lt. Samuel Huntoon, 
Ens. Jabez Smith, 
Capt. Aquilla Pingry, 
Lt. Benj. Pettengill, 
Ens. John Greeley. 



The second "Infantry Company" was formed at the Centre 
Road Village. 



Capt. David Pettengill, 
Lt. Phineas Bean, 
Lt. Ananiah Bohonon, 
Ens. Stephen Webster, 



SECOND COMPANY. 

Capt. Iddo Scribner, 
Lt. Benj. Bean, 

Ens. Watkins, 

Capt. Benj. Bean, 



Ens. Jonathan Bean, 
Capt. Joel Eastman, 
Lt. Jonathan Bean, 
Ens. Obadiah P. Fifield, 



THE STATE MILITIA. 



283 



Capt. J. Clement, 
Lt. Iddo Scribner, 
Lt. Stephen Webster, 
Ens. Nathaniel Greeley, 



Lt. Joel Eastman, 
Ens. Benj. Thompson, 
Capt. Henj. Bean, 
Lt. Joel Eastman, 



Capt. J. Bean, 

Lt. Obadiah P. Fifield, 

Ens. Edward Welch. 



The third company was formed in what was known as the 
Blackwater District. 



THIRD COMPANY. 



Capt. Isaac Blaisdell, 
Lt. David Pettingill, 2d, 
Ens. Stephen George, 
Capt. Isaac Blaisdell. 



Lt. David Pettengill, 
Ens. Nathaniel .\sh, 
Capt. Enoch Fifield, 
Lt. Samuel Adams, 



Capt. William Pingry, 
Lt. Abram Sanborn, 
Ens. Jonathan Fifield. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS, 



" From the sources of the Merrimack 
To the city's northern walls, 
From Newbury's old and rocky hills 
To bright Pittsfield's busy falls," 



As the population increased, there arose a demand for better 
facilities for the transaction of judicial business, and in 1755 a 
movement was initiated to divide the Province into two counties. 
An act was passed by the Assembly for their creation, one to 
be called Rockingham, with Exeter as its shire town, and the 
other Cumberland, with Dunstable as its county seat. The Mer- 
rimack river was the general dividing line. The Council refused 
to concur unless Portsmouth could be made the shire town. 
The Assembly immediately passed another act constituting 
three counties, with Portsmouth, Exeter and Dunstable as the 
locations for the transaction of the county business. The act 
was amended by the Council ; the Assembly refused to concur 
and the measure again failed. In 1769, after a lapse of fourteen 
years, an act was passed, dividing the Province into five 
counties, but no organization took place for two years, it being 
necessary to await the approval of the home government. 
Prior to this time the courts and sessions of the Assembly were 
held at Portsmouth, and people living in the northern and 
western sections were subjected to great inconvenience in the 
transaction of public business. 

The original counties were Rockingham, Strafford, Hills- 
borough, Cheshire and Grafton, the shire towns being Exeter, 
Dover, Amherst, Keene and Haverhill. The county of Coos 



COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS. 285 

was formed in 1803 from the northern towns of Grafton. Merri- 
mack, from the northern towns of Hillsborough and Rocking- 
ham, was organized in 1823 ; Sullivan, from the northern towns 
of Cheshire, was instituted in 1827; and in 1840 the old county 
of Strafford was subdivided and the counties of Belknap and 
Carroll were added to the number, in accordance with the 
necessities of that section of the State. 

Changes have from time to time been made by the removal of 
boundary lines, and measures have at intervals been introduced 
in the General Court, to organize a county from portions of 
Hillsborough and Rockingham. 

Prior to the formation of Merrimack county, the people of the 
upper towns of Hillsborough were strenuous in their efforts to 
remove the county seat to some central town, or to establish a 
half-shire in the northern section. Salisbury, Warner and Hop- 
kinton, were most interested. All made propositions to induce 
the Legislature to give them the location. Hopkinton was suc- 
cessful, and for years had the privilege of accommodating the 
courts, and on several occasions was honored by sessions of the 
Legislature and the inauguration of governors. Concord was 
constituted the shire town of the county in 1823, when Merri- 
mack was created, and as soon as practicable thereafter the offi- 
cial business of the county was transacted there. 

Merrimack is the interior county of the State ; it is the cen- 
tre in population, and in location nearer central than any other. 
It is bounded by si.\ of the remaining nine. Its greatest length, 
from the most northern point in Danbury to the south line of 
Hooksett, is sixty miles, and its breadth, from Pittsfield to 
Newbury, fifty-five miles. Its area is 505,000 acres. The 
population at the time of its organization was about 33,000, 
and in 1880 was 46,300. 

The towns embraced in the county are given below, with 
brief historical notes : 

Allenstown derived its name from Samuel Allen, the pur- 
chaser of the Masonian claim. It was first settled by John 
Walcott, Andrew Smith, Daniel Evans and Robert Bunton, 
previous to 1748. Incorporated in 1831. 



286 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Andover was granted by the Masonian Proprietors in 1746, 
was first called Emeristown, or Emery'stown, and afterwards 
New Breton. The first settler was Joseph Fellows, whose 
brother, John Fellows, was an early settler in Salisbury. It 
was incorporated in 1779. 

BoscAWEN was granted in 1733, under the name of Contoo- 
cook, and in the succeeding year was first settled by Nathaniel 
Danforth, Andrew Bohonan, {who afterwards settled in Salis- 
bury,) Moses Burbank and Stephen Gerrish. It was incorpor- 
ated in 1760, under its present name, in honor of Edward Bos- 
cawen, an English admiral. 

Bow, so named on account of the bow or bend in the river, 
in that portion once claimed by Bow but which now constitutes 
a part of Concord. Bow was granted by the Province of New 
Hampshire in 1727, at the time its first settlement was made. 

Bradford, an English name, first called New Bradford, was 
settled in 1771, by Deacon William Presbury, on the reception 
of the grant from the Masonian Proprietors. Incorporated in 

1787. 

Canterbury, originally embracing Loudon and Northfield, 
was named for an English town, and was granted by the pro- 
vincial government in 1727, to Richard Waldron and others. 

Concord, the county seat and State capital, was granted by 
Massachusetts in 1725, under the name of Pennacook, to Ben- 
jamin Stevens, Ebenezer Eastman and others. It was settled 
in 1727, Capt. Ebenezer Eastman and family, from Haverhill, 
Mass., being the first residents. This settlement was on the 
east side of the river, near the present railway station. The 
town was incorporated in 1733, under the name of Rumford, by 
authority of Massachusetts, and by New Hampshire in 1765, 
under the name of Concord. It became a city in 1853. 

Chichester originally included Pittsfield. The grant was 
given in 1727, to Nathaniel Gookin and others. Paul Morrill 
was the first settler, in 1758. 

Danbury was taken from Alexandria and incorporated as an 
independent town in 1795. Until 1874 Danbury was in Graf- 
ton county. 



COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS. 28/ 

DuNBARTON, oftcn Called Starkstown, was named in com- 
memoration of the town and castle of Dumbarton, in Scotland, 
near which was the residence of General Stark's ancestors. It 
was granted by the Mason ian Proprietors, to Archibald Stark 
and his associates, in 175 1. The first settlement was made in 
1749, by Joseph and William Putney, James Rogers and Obediah 
Foster. Incorporated in 1765. 

Epsom was granted in 1727, to Theodore Atkinson, (who was 
one of the Masonian Proprietors,) and his associates. A settle- 
ment was commenced prior to the grant. 

Franklin was formed from portions of Salisbury, Andover, 
Sanbornton and Northfield, in 1828, and named for our distin- 
guished countryman, Benjamin Franklin. 

Henniker was known as No. 6, in a series of towns granted 
by Massachusetts. It was also granted by the Masonian Pro- 
prietors. A settlement was commenced in 1 761, by James 
Peters. Incorporated in 1768 and named for John Henniker, 
member of Parliament, London. 

HooKSETT, once called Isle la Hooksett, was composed of 
parts of Dunbarton, Chester and Goffstown, and was incorpor- 
ated in 1822. 

HoPKiNTON, originally known as No. 5, was granted by Mas- 
sachusetts in 1736, and afterwards as New Hopkinton, in re- 
membrance of Hopkinton, Mass., from which the first settlers 
came as early as 1740. Incorporated in 1765. 

Hill was incorporated in 1778, as New Chester. It origin- 
ally included Bridgewater and Bristol. The present name was 
given by the Legislature in 1836, in honor of Governor Isaac 
Hill. It belonged to Grafton county until 1867. 

Loudon received its name from the Earl of Loudon, a Scot- 
tish peer. It was settled in 1760, by Abraham and Jethro 
Batchelder, and was incorporated as an independent town in 
1773, having been previously a part of Canterbury. 

Newbury was first called Dantzick ; upon its incorporation 
in 1778 it was named Fishersfield, from Mr. John Fisher, who 
was active in securing its charter, but who returned to Eng- 
land soon after. Its present name was given in 1836, by act of 
the Legislature. 



288 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

New London was settled by Nathaniel Merrill and James 
Lamb, in 1776, and was called Heidleburg. It was incorpor- 
ated under its present name in 1779. 

NoRTHFiELD was Originally the north part of Canterbury. 
It was settled in 1760, by Benjamin Blanchard. Incorporated 
in 1780. 

Pembroke, granted by Massachusetts in 1727, as Suncook, 
was settled in 1729 and incorporated in 1759. 

PiTTSFiELD was formed from a portion of Chichester and was 
incorporated in 1782. Its first settler was John Cram. 

Salisbury is derived from the Latin stilus, health, or safety, 
to which biuy, a contraction of borough, is added. It has been 
called by the several names, — Bakers-town, Gerrish-town, Stev- 
enstown and Salisbury. 

Sutton was named from an English town. The town was 
granted by the Masonian Proprietors, in 1749, to Obediah Perry 
and others, from Haverhill, Newbury and Bradford, Massachu- 
setts. The name of the leading grantee was at first given it. 
The first settlement was made in 1767, by Daniel Peaslee, and 
was incorporated in 1784. 

Warner, named for Col. Seth Warner, of the New Hamp- 
shire Grants, as Gov. Harriman says, or for Daniel Warner, of 
Gov. Wentworth's Council, according to other authority, was 
granted by Massachusetts, in 1735, to Dea. Thomas Stevens 
and sixty-two others, inhabitants of Amesbury and Salisbury, 
Massachusetts. It was denominated No. i, having been the 
first in a series of ten towns extending westward, granted by 
the General Court of Massachusetts. It was afterwards called 
New Almsbury, then subsequently granted by the Masonian 
Proprietors and called Jennitown. In 1774, it was incorpora- 
ted under its present name. That portion of Kearsarge Gore, 
south of the summit, was added to the territory in 18 18. 

Webster was taken from Boscawen in i860, and named for 
the great statesman. 

WiLMOT, formed from New London, New Chester, (now 
Hill,) and the north part of Kearsarge Gore, was incorporated 
in 1807. 



COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS. 



289 



The accompanying table in the N. H. Hist. Pap., Vol. Ill, p. 
169, gives the statistics of the several towns at the time of the 
formation of the county, to which has been added the popula- 
tion of the towns originally constituting the county, as given 
in the census of 1880: 



i 


iS 




3 


•c 








3 


X 


a 




X 










X 


X 


j: 


j: 


S 


CO 


di 



Oi 



Allenstown, 

Andover, 

boscawen, 

Bow, 

Bradford, 

Canterbury, 

Chichester, 

Concord, 

Dumbarton, 

Epsom, 

Newbury, 

Henniker, 

Hooksett, 

hopkinton, 

Loudon, 

New London, 

northfield, 

Pembroke, 

PiTTSKlELD, 

Salisbury, 

Sutton, 

Warner, 

WiLMOT, 



433 
1642 
2113 

935 
1318 
1696 

lOIO 

2838 
1450 
1336 

874 
1900 

800 

2437 
1694 
924 
1304 
1256 
1178 
2016 

»S73 
3246 
670 



1708 

1204 

1380 

734 

9SO 

1034 

784 

1384s 

711 

909 

590 

1326 

1766 

1836 

I32I 

87s 
918 

a79S 
1964 

795 
993 
IS37 
1080 



Total, ' 38 228 216 77 m 143 81 41 40 38 60 132,743 40,955 

The towns not included in Merrimack county at its organi- 
zation are as follows : Danbury, with a population of 760 ; 
Franklin, 3,265; Hill, 667; Webster, 647. 
19 



CHAPTER XX. 



ROADS AND TURNPIKES, ETC. 

" From the broad beaten track, when the traveller strays, 
He may land in a bog, or be lost in a maze ; 
You had better pay toll when you take to the road. 
Than attempt through a by-way to reach your abode." 

THE IMPORTANCE OF ROADS. 

Highways con.stitute an important element in the civilization 
of a country. Without them there can be no enterprise, no 
society, no improvement or progress in any direction. 

As a people abandon lines of travel marked by spotted trees, 
and bridle paths in which they went from place to place, and 
seek well built highways ; as they leave these for the macadam- 
ized road and the railway, they advance with equal steps to a 
higher plane of education and refinement. 

Our ancestors were only acting upon the teachings of nature 
when they levied taxes and formed corporate companies to pro- 
vide roads to important business points. One of the first 
measures that interested the early proprietors and the pioneers 
in our New Hampshire towns was that of surveying and build- 
ing passable roads and bridges in their respective townships. 
Although something was done towards the construction of 
roads by provincial or State authority, the burden rested most 
heavily on the sparse population of the towns. 

RANGEWAYS AND ROADS. 

The earliest highway in the town of which we have a record 
was one along the west bank of the Merrimack river, which 
was intended to open communication with the Coos country. It 



HIGHWAYS AND RANGEWAYS. 29I 

was laid out by a commission appointed by the Assembly, con- 
sisting of Zebulon Lovewell, of Dunstable, John Talford. of 
Chester, and Caleb Page, of Starkstown. John Stark was the 
guide, and the noted ranger, Robert Rogers, was one of the 
twenty men who accompanied the surveying party. The time 
occupied was twenty-two days. The road was a mere pathway, 
made without filling ravines or cutting down hills. The streams 
were not bridged nor were the heavy rocks and bowlders dis- 
turbed. It was traversed only on horseback, or by oxen draw- 
ing the rude sleds of the day. Mr. Coffin, in his History of 
Boscawen, shows us the probable origin of this highway, as 
found in the field-book of John Brown, a surveyor of that town : 

"May 16, 1740. Joseph Gerrish, Nathaniel Dan ford, Edward 
Fitzgerald and myself laid out a highway of four rods broad 
from King Street in Contoocook to Pemichewassett." Mr. 
Coffin remarks that this line of road is nearly identical with 
the present travelled road. If the road extended to the Pemi 
gewasset it must have passed through Lower Franklin, and 
reached at least to the centre of that town. On the 3d day of 
July, 1820, the selectmen of Salisbury legally laid out the River 
Road so-called, commencing at the Andover line, thence south- 
erly by courses and distances so far as to intersect with the 
"Old Road" in Salisbury Village, and near the present centre 
of Franklin. 

When the early proprietors of Stevenstown had decided to 
make a settlement in the town, they laid out a portion of the 
land into lots of 100, 80, 60 and 30 acres, but reserved ample 
rangeways for public roads. (See map accompanying preface.) 
Not that roads would be laid out on these precise lines, but 
that an amount of land equal to these reservations should be 
appropriated to that purpose. Three of these rangeways ex- 
tended nearly the entire length of the town. They commenced 
in the vicinity of the Merrimack river and run in a direction 
nearly west to the highlands at the base of Kearsarge. Subse- 
quently roads were constructed over them, so far as the neces- 
sities of the town required or the nature of the land permitted. 

The South Rangeway extended from a point near the 



292 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

old Webster place, westerly through the location of the South 
Road Village, by the southern extremity of what was formerly 
known as Cook's pond, and onward in a direct line to the north 
of Tucker's pond, and continued westerly over the mountain 
into Warner. A road intersecting the range way just west of 
the pond is the direct route to that town. On the south of this 
there were thirty consecutive lOO-acre lots laid out, the first of 
which was assigned to Philip Call, who was on the land at the 
time the grant was given. South of this rangeway there were 
also other loo-acre lots, and many others, each containing forty, 
sixty, or eighty acres. The road corresponding to this range- 
way was surveyed by William Calef, and in 1763 was built un- 
der the superintendence of Nathaniel Huntoon and Benjamin 
Sanborn, It commenced at Shaw's Corner, ran south of west, 
and at a point not far east of the South Road Village it struck 
the rangeway and followed it substantially westward over the 
Blackwater. 

The Centre Road, occupying the rangeway limits very fully, 
was surveyed by Mr. Calef in 1768, the year in which the town 
was incorporated under the name of Salisbury. It commenced 
in the eastern section at the river, by the Webster cemetery, ex- 
tended west over Searle's hill, was subsequently crossed a little 
southeast of the Centre Road Village by the Fourth New 
Hampshire Turnpike, and then extended on towards the west- 
ern boundary of the town. Commencing at the eastern ter- 
minus, in 1770, the building of this road was continued west- 
ward as rapidly as settlements took place. The people of 
Perrystown (Sutton) built for their own accommodation a road 
to connect with it, and for a long time were accustomed to 
bring their grain over this Salisbury road to the Webster mill, 
on Punch brook. 

The road corresponding in part with the North Rangeway 
was surveyed in 1763 — fourteen years after the grant of Stev- 
enstown was conferred — by William Calef, who at that time 
was always employed by his townsmen for similar work. Only 
a few sections of it were ever built, and even portions of those 



HIGHWAYS AND RANGEWAYS. 293 

have been discontinued, so that but little of the original range- 
way is now used for a highway. 

As early as 1774 a road commenced at the eastern bound of 
Dr. Joseph Bartlett's home lot, on the South Road, and ran 
northward to the Centre Road, just west of the old meeting 
house on Searle's hill, and connected with other roads on the 
north. There is no accessible record of the discontinuance of 
this road, or of several others that now exist only on a few 
well-worn record books. That section between Parsons's Cor- 
ner and the location of the Thompson school house was called 
"Cash street," because many of the residents were obliged to 
pay cash for their purchases. 

A highway, called the North Road in some of the town 
papers, was constructed in 1770, between Shaw's Corner and 
the residence of Benjamin Huntoon, and soon afterwards was 
extended north to the Andover line. This was the second 
highway leading to Andover, the other being along the Pemi- 
gewasset. This was for many years a great thoroughfare for 
the northern section of the country. 

The Bog Road was built as a substitute for that by Dr. 
Bartlett's, above described. It connected the South Road with 
the Centre, before the existence of the College Road or the 
Fourth New Hampshire Turnpike, leaving the South Road 
east of the Village, and intersecting the Centre Road at Thomp- 
son's Corner. A continuation of the Bog Road extends north 
of the Thompson school house, and north to Stevens's Corner, 
where it intersects with the North Road. 

Raccoon Hill Road extends from north of the Thompson 
school house, the whole length of Raccoon Hill, where it inter- 
sects the rangeway between Andover and Salisbury, at what 
is known as Rano's Corner, by Eliphalet Shaw's. This range 
road runs east and west for a long distance, intersecting several 
other roads. It was built in 1781. 

The Mills Road extends westerly from the Centre Road 
Village, past William Dunlap's store, continuing to Prince's 
mill, where it turns slightly to the north and terminates at the 
foot of the hill west of Frank VVhittemore's. In former times 



294 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

it continued on to the Frazier place. At the foot of this 
Whittemore hill the North Range Road again begins and con- 
tinues west. A branch of this Mills Road turns south at 
Prince's mill, extends by the residence of C. C. Rogers, and 
intersects the Centre Range Road at Frank P. Rand's. It 
then continues south, past the Union meeting-house, where 
it is known as the Couch Road, and leads into Webster. An- 
other branch of the Mills Road commences south of Daniel 
Colby's, goes past the Glines place, and comes out at the South 
Range Road, east of Blackwater river bridge. 

A road begins just west of Alpheus B. Huntoon's house 
and continues over Beach hill into Andover. 

Bays Road extends from Shaw's Mill, in West Salisbury, 
around the eastern shore of "The Bays," crosses the Turnpike 
Road south of Blackwater river bridge, and intersects the old 
College Road eastwardly. 

A cross range road begins at the south range, just east of 
D. C. Stevens's, and continues north until it intersects the 
Centre Range Road, at Harrison Heath's. 

The New Road to Franklin begins on the Bog Road, one- 
half mile north of the Thompson school house, and extends 
eastward to the North Road, which it intersects just south of 
the "Birthplace." It was laid out in October, 1869. The 
route was surveyed by Thomas D. Little. The land damages 
amounted to ^275. 

Cross Range Road was so called because its general direc- 
tion nearly north and south, and it crossed the South and Cen- 
tre rangeways. The northern terminus of the road was on what 
is now known as the turnpike in Centre village. Tradition 
says the northeastern bound was "a. pile of bricks," near the 
southwest corner of D. J. Mann's house. It run south by the 
Baptist church cemetery, and continued southward by the old 
Archelas Adams place, now J. H. Smith's, west of J. M, Gree- 
ley's and on the height of land in a circuitous route towards 
Corser Hill. The southern section is usually called Battle 
street. Changes were made many years ago so that now, at 
the Centre, this road intersects the turnpike several rods further 



HIGHWAYS AND RANGEWAYS. 295 

east, by the former residence of the late Dr. Job Wilson. 
Changes have also been made in the southern section, that por- 
tion by Mr. Greeley's having been discontinued and a new piece 
constructed further to the west. The northern extension of 
this road leads to the highlands known as Racoon Hill. 

Mutton Road. This road extends from the South Road Vil- 
lage in a southerly course to Corser Hill, in Webster, and was 
designed to afford better facilities for reaching Hopkinton, then 
a half-shire town. It was built about the year 1819. Ensign 
John Webster owned most of the land in Salisbury through which 
it passed. The name was given it from the fact that some 
residents upon it helped themselves to "mutton" that did not 
belong to them. 

Water Street, east of Mutton Road, commences near the 
academy and runs in a southerly direction towards the west part 
of Boscawen, where it is continued under the same name. 

A road not now much travelled leads from the turnpike a lit- 
tle south of "Water Street" over Calef Hill into Water Street 
in Boscawen. 

The New Road, as it has been called for the want of a legiti- 
mate name, leads from the vicinity of Holmes's Mill to North 
Boscawen, where it connects with the River Road. It was built 
in 1849. 

The road from the South Road to the M. H. & G. W. Fellows 
place was built in 1787. Moses Fellows gave the land and the 
town built the road. 

The new road leading from Shaw's Corner to Franklin was 
built in 1823-24. 

The building of the Fourth New Hampshire Turnpike through 
Salisbury proved detrimental to the interests of the people of 
Hopkinton. As soon as they perceived it, the leading men of the 
town, Roger Perkins and Gen. Davis, petitioned the court for a 
highway from the Potter place in Andover through the western 
part of Salisbury to Hopkinton. They were so confident of 
success that immediate action was taken and some portion of a 
road built through the town of Salisbury. It is not known 
what action the town took, but the court rejected their petition, 



296 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

mainly through the efforts of Ezekiel Webster, who never for- 
got nor forgave the hostility of the people of that town towards 
him in the trial of an important case in which he was personally 
interested. The ground taken by the court was that portions of 
the road ran over established highways. 



THE COLLEGE ROAD. 

A hundred years ago, in the early days of Dartmouth Col- 
lege, it was considered necessary that good roads should be 
constructed from different points to Hanover. Governor John 
Wentworth, in the days of his administration, caused such a road 
to be made from his mansion in Wolfeborough. Roads were 
built along the borders of the Connecticut, and from other locali- 
ties highways were opened, to facilitate travel to the seat of 
learning, which a few years previously had been established in 
the wilderness. 

Among others one was proposed which was to commence 
.on the Merrimack, in Boscawen, and extend through Salisbury 
to the Connecticut river at or near Dartmouth College. A 
petition was presented to the General Court in 1784, represent- 
ing the necessity of such a public highway. 

At the November session of that year, the petition received 
favorable action, and an act was passed authorizing Timothy 
Walker, of Concord, Ebenezer Smith, of Meredith, and Henry 
Gerrish, of Boscawen, to lay out a road in accordance with the 
petition. 

At the next session of the General Court, the committee 
having performed the duty assigned them, made the following 
report : 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. 

In the House of Representatives, October 28, 1^8^. 

The Committee appointed to lay out a public road from the River road in 
Boscawen to Connecticut River at or near Dartmouth College, reported the follow- 
ing returns, viz: Beginning at Dartmouth College thence southeasterly nearly as 



THE COLLEGE ROAD. 297 

the road is now trod about three miles to where a bridge formerly stood over Mink 
brook on Eleazer Hill's Land, thence South about eighteen degrees East to Leban- 
on line as now spotted, thence nearly on the same course to the road by Clapp 
Sumner's House — thence easterly as the road is now trod to Col. Payne's House 

— thence nearly on a straight course to the road between Piiillip Paddleford's 
House and Barn in Enfield, thence as the road is now sjiotted to Col. Payne's House 
in Enfield, thence on the road as now trod to Elijah Paddleford's House, — thence 
South si.xty-eight degrees East to the road as now trod, — thence in said road to the 
spotted line about fifteen rods from Nathaniel Hovey's Sugar camp, — thence on 
said spotted line to Mascoma River in Canaan — thence nearly on a straight course 
to the bridge over Mud Pond Brook, thence as the road is now trod about ten rods 

— thence on a straight course to the road by Eleazer Scofield's House, thence in 
said road as now trod to Grafton line, thence on a straight course to a stump three 
rods to the South of Joseph Bean's Barn — thence straight to a stump four rods to 
the North of Resolve Matterson's House — thence straight to the road as now trod 

— thence in the road to the path that leads to Cardigan — thence on a straight 
course to the road by Jonathan Nichols's House — thence nearly as the road is now 
trod to Capt. Joseph Hoyt's House — thence nearly as the road is now spotted 
through Alexandria and New Chester to Benjamin Scilly's House in Andover — 
thence straight (leaving John Sawyer's House three rods to the North) to the road 
as now trod — thence by said road to the bridge over Ragged Mountain Brook — 
thence nearly on a straight course to a stake three rods to the South of Simeon 
Connor's Barn — thence on a straight course to the road by Jeremiah Scribner's 
House, — thence in said road to a beech tree marked E — thence straight about 
seventeen rods across Lieut. John Roe's Land to the road, thence in said road to 
Benjamin Huntoon's House in Salisbury — thence on a straight course to the road 
between John Gale's House and l!arn — thence in said road about twenty rods — 
thence on a straight course by the side of Anna Fifield's House to the road — 
thence in said road to a stake opposite Joseph French's House — thence on a 
straight course to the road between Samuel Scribner's House and Barn, thence in 
said road to a stake four rods to the East of Lieut John Pearsons's House, — thence 
straight to Andrew Bohonon's House, — thence following the old road East of 
Jacob Bohonon's House to the road as now trod — thence in said road about ten 
rods — thence straight to the Bridge over the Mill Brook — thence in said road to 
the bridge by Abel Tandy's House — thence nearly as the road formerly went by 
the West end of Simeon Wadley's House, thence southeasterly about eighteen 
rods to a stake by the road as now trod — thence in said road to a stake twenty-five 
rods short of Edward Eastman's corner — thence on a straight course ( leaving said 
Eastman's House to the West ) to the road as now trod — thence in said road to the 
easterly side of John Bowen's land — thence southerly on said l>owen's Land by 
Lieut. Robert Smith's Land thirty-eight rods — thence southeasterly on as straight 
a course as the land will admit of to Stirrup Iron meadow Brook nearly as the 
road is now spotted — thence by said spotted road to Boscawen line — thence as 
the road is now cut out to the River road in Boscawen near Col. Henry Gerrish's 
House — Said Road to be four rods broad. 

Concord October 26, 17S5. 

Signed, TLMOTHV WALKER, 

EBENEZER SMITH, ^Committee. 
HENRY GERRISH, 



298 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Voted, "That the foregoing report be received and accepted." 

The above committee were paid thirty-nine pounds ten shil- 
lings for their services. 

The report was accepted and the road surveyed. The General 
Court, by resolution, instructed the selectmen of the several 
towns through which the road was to pass to assess a tax on 
the rateable polls, agreeably to the laws of the State, for the 
construction of highways and bridges. "And for the more 
effectual carrying this act into execution," a committee was 
chosen to call on the selectmen of the respective towns to build 
the road and keep it in condition safe and convenient for public 
travel. The committee was empowered and directed "to see 
that the same is seasonably and effectually completed." This 
duty was committed to Col. Elisha Payne, Capt. Joseph Hoyt 
and Lieut. Robert Smith. 

This legislation having been insufficient, the committee the 
ensuing year was further directed, after giving reasonable 
notice to the selectmen, to cause the road to be built through 
such towns as had neglected to comply with the instructions of 
the Legislature, and to present the bills for the expense of the 
same to the General Court for approval. In case towns then 
refused payment, the property of such towns was to be attached 
and sold, by process of law, to satisfy the claims and costs. 

This road was built, but not on the exact route laid out by the 
committee. There was a road answering nearly to the descrip- 
tion of this once existing. It commenced on the River Road, 
originally called the Coos Road, at the farm of Henry Ger- 
rish, in North Boscawen, now the Merrimack County Farm, 
west of the location of the county buildings, and continued on 
the base of the high ground nearly the whole distance to Salis- 
bury. There are now to be found evidences of this in the vicin- 
ity of the old Angell mill, in Boscawen, also in several places 
in Salisbury, and there is no doubt that it passed by the Col. 
John C. Gale place into Andover. 

But what is known as the College Road by the older citizens 
— we are told — had its starting point on Water street, and 
extended north over Calef Hill to the road known as the turn- 



THE COLLEGE ROAD. 299 

pike, passing the Levi Bean place ; thence with a slight turn 
eastwardly it continued on to the south rangeway, turning 
sharp to the west by Gilbert Eastman's house, and after pas- 
passing through the South Road Village, by Eliphalet Little's 
house, it turned to the north and continued on past Dennis 
Lauder's — the Ensign Moses Garland house — when it turned 
sharp to the west again at the centre rangeway, and continued 
on westerly to Parsons's Corner; thence on the line of the 
future turnpike through Centre Road Village to a point just 
east of Moses C. Webster's residence, when another turn north 
was made, and the road run just east of M. P. Thompson's 
house, east of O. M. Tucker's barn ; thence west, crossing 
the line where the turnpike was afterwards laid out, then 
turned north and passed just east of S. P. Webster's house, 
continuing north down the hill, crossed again the turnpike 
line by the guidepost, continuing north to what was called 
"the switch," in Andover. From this point, with the view to 
a direct route, a partial survey was made over a portion of 
Ragged Mountain, terminating near the location of the railway 
station in Danbury. 

We have endeavored to follow this road through its windings 
and angles in the town of Salisbury, with a steady head ; and if 
the reader has maintained his equilibrium in pursuing the same 
tortuous and angular way, he will not regret his release from 
further efforts in the same direction. 



THE FOURTH NEW HAMPSHIRE TURNPIKE. 

In this State the turnpike road is a thing of the past. If it 
were not there would be no necessity for the historian to des- 
cribe it or to explain its workings and advantages. It is a road 
built by a company of men, under special authority conferred 
by the legislative branch of the government, by what is termed 
an act of incorporation. 



300 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

The company thus incorporated is allowed to use a given 
amount of capital, raised in equal shares, the grantees or those 
associated with them being permitted to take as many shares 
as the members composing the company may determine. The 
management of such corporate bodies is regulated by the terms 
of the charter given by the incorporating power. 

The term turnpike signifies a pike or set of pikes, fixed to a 
bar or pole, that is made to swing on a pivot or pin, so as to 
obstruct the passage of carriages. A turnpike road is one with 
pikes or gates, erected for the purpose named. As the benefit 
to the builders of this class of roads is derived from specified 
tolls, to be paid by those who pass over the roads, the company 
is authorized to stop travellers and require payment. 

Turnpike roads were very common early in the present cen- 
tury, not only in our country, but among most civilized people. 
Fifty or more such roads were chartered by our State authori- 
ties, during a few years immediately preceding and directly after 
the commencement of the nineteenth century. The first turn- 
pike was incorporated in 1796, and extended from Piscataqua 
bridge, in Durham, to the Merrimack river in Concord, passing 
through Lee, Barrington, Nottingham, Northwood, Epsom and 
Chichester, a distance of thirty-six miles. 

In the year 1800, Messrs. Elisha Payne, Russell Freeman, 
and Constant Storrs asked the Legislature for an act of incor- 
poration, authorizing them and their associates to construct a 
turnpike road from some point in Boscawen or Salisbury to the 
Connecticut river, opposite the mouth of White River, in the 
town of Lebanon, and also a branch from Lebanon to Hanover. 

The petition was read and action postponed until the next 
session, which was held in the autumn of the same year, when 
the following Act was passed : 

State of New Hampshire, in the year of Our Lord, one thousand 
eight hundred. 

An Act to incorporate a company by the name of the Proprietors of the Fourth 
Turnpike Road in New Hampshire. 

Section i. Be it enacted by the Senate & House of Representatives in general 
court convened, that Elisha Payne, Russell Freeman and Constant Storrs and their 
associates and successors be, and they are hereby incorporated and made a body 



FOURTH NEW HAMPSHIRE TURNPIKE. 3OI 

corporate and politic under the name of tlie proprietors of the Fourth Turnpike 
Road in New Hampshire, and in that name may sue & prosecute, and be sued and 
prosecuted to final judgment and execution, and shall be and hereby are vested 
with all the powers and privileges which by law are incident to corporations of a 
like nature. 

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, that the said Elisha Payne, or Russell Free- 
man shall call a meeting of said proprietors by advertisement in the newspapers 
printed at Concord & Hanover, to be holden at any suitable time and place at least 
thirty days from the first publication of said advertisement, and the proprietors by 
a vote of the majority of those present or represented at said meeting, accounting 
and allowing one vote to each share in all cases, shall choose a clerk, who shall be 
sworn to the faithful discharge of said office, and shall also agree on the method 
of calling meetings, and at the same, or at any subsequent meetings may elect such 
officers, and make and establish such rules and by-laws, as to them shall seem 
necessary and convenient for the regulation and government of said corporation, for 
carrying into effect the purpose aforesaid, and for collecting the tolls hereinafter 
established, and the same by-laws may cause to be executed, and annex penalties 
to the breach thereof; provided the said rules and by-laws are not repugnant to the 
constitution and laws of this state ; and all representations shall be proved by 
writing signed by the person to be represented, which shall be filed with the clerk, 
and this act and all rules, regulations and proceedings of said corporation shall be 
fairly and truly recorded by the clerk in a book or books provided and kept for that 
purpose. 

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, that the said corporation are empowered to 
survey, lay out, make and keep in repair, a turnpike road of four rods wide, in such 
route or tracts as in the best of their judgment and skill shall combine shortness of 
distance with the most practicable ground from the east bank of Connecticut 
river in the town of Lebanon, nearly opposite to the mouth of White river, east- 
wardly to the west bank of Merrimack river in the town of Salisbury or Boscawen; 
and also to survey, lay out, make and keep in repair as aforesaid a turnpike road 
four rods wide, from the east abutment of White river falls bridge in Hanover^ 
southeastwardly till it intersects the road first mentioned and to be a branch thereof. 

Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, that if said proprietors and the owners of 
land over which the road may run shall disagree on the compensation to be made 
for said land and the building or buildings thereon standing, and shall not agree in 
appointing persons to ascertain such compensation, the judges of the superior court 
of judicature, holden within and for the county in which said land lies, upon the 
application of said proprietors, or of the owner or owners of such, reasonable notice 
of such application having been given by the applicants to the adverse party, shall 
appoint a committee who shall ascertain the same in the same way as compensation 
is made to owners of land for highways as usually laid out, & execution, on non-pay- 
ment, against said proprietors, shall issue of course. 

Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, that the corporation m.iy erect and fix such 
& so many gates or turnpikes upon and across said road as will be necessary & suf- 
ficient to collect the tolls and duties hereinafter granted to said company from all 
persons traveling in the same with horses, cattle, carts, and carriages. 

Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for said cor. 
poration to appoint such and so many toll-gatherers, as they shall think proper, to 



302 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

collect and receive of and from all & every person or persons using said road the 
tolls and rates hereinafter mentioned ; and to prevent any person riding, leading or 
driving any horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, sulkey, chair, chaise, phaeton, coach, chariots 
cart, wagon, sley, sled, or other carriage of burden or pleasure from passing through 
the said gates or turnpikes, until they shall have respectively paid the same, that is 
to say, for every mile of said road, and so in proportion for a greater or less distance, 
or greater or smaller number of sheep, hogs, or cattle: viz., for every fifteen sheep or 
hogs, one cent ; for every fifteen cattle or horses, two cents ; for every horse and his 
rider or led horse, three fourths of one cent ; for every sulkey, chair, or chaise with 
one horse or two wheels one and an half cents ; for every chariot, coach, stage- 
wagon, phaeton, or chaise with two horses and four wheels, three cents; for either of 
the carriages last mentioned with four horses, four cents; for every other carriage of 
pleasure, the like sums, according to the number of wheels and horses drawing the 
same ; for each cart or other carriage of burthen with wheels, drawn by one beast, 
one cent; for each wagon, cart, or other carriage of burthen drawn by two beasts, 
one and an half cents ; if by more than two beasts, one cent for each additional yoke 
of oxen or horse ; for each sley drawn by one horse, three fourths of one cent ; if 
drawn by two horses, one and an half cent ; and if by more than two horses, half a 
cent for every additional horse; for each sled drawn by one horse, half of one cent; 
for each sled drawn by two horses or a yoke of oxen, one cent ; and if by more than 
two horses or one yoke of oxen, one cent for each additional pair of horses or yoke 
of oxen; and at all times when the toll-gatherer shall not attend his duty, the gates 
shall be left open ; and if any person shall with his carriage, team, cattle, or horses, 
turn out of said road to pass the said turnpike gates, on ground adjacent thereto, 
said ground not being a public highway, with intent to avoid the payment of the 
toll due, by virtue of this act, such person shall forfeit and pay three times so muc h 
as the legal toll would have been, to be recovered by the treasurer of the said cor- 
poration, to the use thereof, in an action of debt or on the case ; provided that 
nothing in this act shall extend to entitle the said corporation to demand toll of any 
person who shall be passing with his horse or carriage to or from public worshp, or 
with his horse, team or cattle, or on foot, to or from any mill, or on their common 
®r ordinary business of family concerns, within the town where such person belongs. 

Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, that the said proprietors are hereby em- 
powered to purchase, and hold in fee simple, so much land as will be necessary 
for said turnpike road, and the share or shares of any said proprietors may be 
transferred by deed duly executed & acknowledged, and recorded by the clerk of 
said proprietors on the records ; and the share or shares of any proprietor may be 
sold by said corporation, on non-payment of assessment duly made agreeably to the 
by-laws that may be agreed upon by said corporation. 

Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, that no toll shall be taken by said corpora- 
tion for any mile of said road until six hundred dollars shall have been expended 
thereon, or a proportionate sum upon the whole number of miles, reckoning from 
said east of Connecticut river to said west bank of Merrimack river, where said 
road shall terminate. 

Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, that said corporation may be indicted for 
defect of repairs of said road, after the toll gates are erected, and fined in the same 
way and manner, as towns are by law fineable, for suffering roads to be out of repair. 



FOURTH NEW HAMPSHIRE TURNPIKE. 303 

and said fine may be levied on the profits and tolls arising or accruing to said pro- 
prietors. 

Sec. 10. Provided, nevertheless, and be it further enacted, that if said turnpike 
road shall, in any part, be the same with any highway now used, it shall not be lawful 
for said corporation to erect any gate or turnpike on or across said part of the road^ 
that now is used & occupied as a public highway, anything in this act to the con- 
trary notwithstanding. 

Sec. II. And be it further enacted, that when said proprietors shall make it ap- 
pear to the judges of the superior court of judicature, that they have expended said 
sum of six hundred dollars on each mile, or a proportionable sum as aforesaid, the 
proprietors shall have the liberty to erect the gates as aforesaid. 

Sec. 12. And be it further enacted, that each of the towns through which said 
road shall be laid, shall have a right & be permitted to become an associate with 
the original proprietors in said corporation; and in case of the refusal or neglect of 
any such town, any inhabitant or inhabitants thereof, shall have the same right, 
provided, however, that such towns and inhabitants respectively shall be limited in 
said privilege of becoming associates to such number of shares, as shall bear the 
same proportion to the whole number of shares as the number of miles of said road, 
within such town shall bear to the whole number of miles of said road; provided 
also, that such towns, and inhabitants, shall accept the privilege hereby reserved, & 
become associates by making application for that purpose to the directors or clerk 
of said corporation, or in case no directors or clerk shall then be appointed, to the 
original proprietors, within three months after the public notice, hereinafter directed, 
shall have been given by said corporation. 

Sec. 13. And be it further enacted, that said corporation shall immediately, 
after the route of said road shall be marked out and established, cause public notice 
thereof to be given, by advertising the same, three weeks successively in the news- 
papers printed at Concord & Hanover. 

Sec. 14. And be it further enacted, that at the end of every six years, after the 
setting up any toll gate, an account of the expenditure upon said road, and the 
profits arising therefrom, shall be laid before the legislature of this state under for- 
feiture of the privileges of this act in future; and a right is hereby reserved to said 
legislature to reduce the rates of toll before mentioned, as they may think proper, 
so however, that if the net profit shall not amount to more than twelve per cent, 
per annum, the said rates of toll shall not be reduced. 

Sec. 15. Provided, nevertheless, and be it further enacted, that whenever the 
net income of the toll shall amount to the sums which the proprietors have ex- 
pended on said road, with twelve per cent on such sums so expended from the times 
of their actual disbursement, the said road with all its rights, privileges and appur- 
tenances shall revert to the State of New Hampshire and become the property 
thereof, to all intents and purposes; anything in this act to the contrary nothwith- 
standing. 

Sec. 16. And l>e it further enacted, that, if in six years the said road shall not 
be completed, according to the provision of this act, every part and clause thereof 
shall be null and void. Provided also, that the State of New Hampshire may, at 
any time after the expiration of forty years from the passing of this act, repay the 
proprietors of said road the amount of the sums expended by them thereon, with 
twelve per cent per annum in addition thereto, deducting the toll actually received 



304 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

by the proprietors ; and in that case the said road, with all its privileges, and appur- 
tenances, shall, to all intents and purposes, be the property of the State of New 
Hampshire; anything in this act to the contrary notwithstanding. 

Sec. 17. And be it further enacted, that the directors and clerk of said corpora- 
tion shall, whenever hereafter required, by a committee appointed for that purpose 
by the legislature of this state, exhibit to said committee, under oath if required, a 
true account of all expenditures upon said road, and all incidental charges apper- 
taining to the same, and also a true account of the toll received up to the times of 
exhibiting such accounts; under forfeiture of the privileges of this act in future. 

According to authority giv^en in the act, Messrs. Payne, Free- 
man and Storrs associated with themselves such other gentle- 
men as they deemed advisable. 

While the matter was before the Legislature a town meeting 
was held in Salisbury, and it was voted, October 27, 1800, 
"that the inhabitants of Salisbury have no objection to a turn- 
pike road provided they have liberty to travel on said road, toll 
free, while transacting business that shall end in said town." 

The first meeting of the corporation was duly warned by 
Elisha Payne, January 28, 1801, and held at the house of " Clapp 
Sumner," innholder, in Lebanon. On March 24, 1801, Elisha 
Payne was chosen moderator, and Benjamin J. Gilbert, clerk, 
who was "sworn accordingly." The meeting adjourned to the 
same place, April 14, 1801, at which time it was voted, "That 
the rights and privileges of the Fourth Turnpike Road in New 
Hampshire be divided into four hundred shares." 

Voted, "That there be assessed upon the shares aforesaid 
the sum of six hundred dollars, that is to say, one dollar and 
fifty cents upon each share, to be paid on or before the first 
day of September ne.xt, and that, if any proprietors shall neglect 
to pay the sum so assessed on his share or shares by the time 
aforesaid, the share or shares of such proprietor shall be soid 
at public vendue, and such vendue shall be advertised six weeks 
previous to the day of sale." 

Major Constant Storrs was chosen Treasurer, and gave bonds 
to the amount of five thousand dollars. 

At the first sale of shares, Thomas W. Thompson had two 
shares, Andrew Bowers one, and Amos Pettengill four. We 
find no other Salisbury names recorded as proprietors. The 



FOURTH NEW HAMPSHIRE TURNPIKE. 305 

rival interests along the line were very strong and to locate the 
road was a very delicate and difficult matter. To avoid all 
"log-rolling," which had made so much trouble in other cases, 
the proprietors voted, "That James VVhitelaw, of Ryegate, 
Gen'l Elias Stevens, of Royalton, and Major Micah Barron, of 
Bradford, all of Vermont, be a committee to survey and lay out 
the route." 

July 6, 1 80 1, voted and chose a committee to draft a code of 
by-laws for the government of the corporation. September 24, 
the committee reported the different routes. That part of the 
report which related to Salisbury was as follows: 



From said pond ( Horse Shoe in Andover) through Salisbur}-, two routes the 

northern by -Maj. G-ile's to Col. Gerrish's* is 9 miles 1 13 rods; from said Gerrish's 
to Boscawen meeting-house is 2 miles 240 rods; from Horse Shoe pond through 
the south vale (See note) in Salisbury by Esq. liean's to, Boscawen meetino--house 
is 10 miles 226 rods which is i mile 113 rods further than by Col. Gerrishes, but is 
I mile 117 rods nearer than the south route by Col. Gerrishes to Boscawen meet- 
ing-house. Your committee recommend the south route by Esq. Bean's, provided 
there is no particular embarrasments in procuring the land. 

ELISHA PAYXE, 

in behalf of the committee. 



On the question, shall the north route surveyed by the com- 
mittee from Horseshoe pond, in Andover, through Salisbury, to 
Col. Gerrish's, in Boscawen, be accepted for the turnpike road, 
the vote was 284 affirmative and none negative. John C. Gale 
was chosen as one of the five directors. 

If this route had been accepted it would have aggrieved Sal- 
isbury Centre and South Road Villages, whose leading citizens 
possessed both money and influence. 

February i, 1803, it was voted, "That the particular route 
reported by the directors, from Salisbury lower meeting-house 
to Boscawen bridge be accepted." Selfishness was at work to 
locate the turnpike at the South Road, thus ignoring the Centre 

* Col. Henry Gerrish resided near where the County Farm is located at North 
Boscawen, and Maj. Gale on the North Road, Salisbury, near the .Andover south 
line. No person knows postively anything about ".South Vale." It was probably 
the valley east of Raccoon hill, while North Vale was on the west side. 
20 



306 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Road people ; but at a meeting held in Andover, April 14, 1803, 
"Voted that the votes of the proprietors passed at the last 
meeting, relative to the course of said road through the town 
of Salisbury, be reconsidered." 

Voted, "That instead of the route which has heretofore been 
pointed out by the proprietors for laying out the turnpike road 
through the town of Salisbury, the said road shall be laid out, 
made and established on the straightest course practicable 
through said town, anything in any former votes of the propri- 
etors to the contrary notwithstanding, and the same is hereby 
established as the same may be particularly surveyed and staked 
out by David Hough, Stephen Harriman and Elias Curtis, or 
either two of them, to which purpose they are hereby fully 
authorized and empowered." 

December 6, 1803, it was voted, "That the same committee, 
Joel Marsh, Elias Stevens and Jesse Williams, Esqrs., be ap- 
pointed to examine the different courses which have been pro- 
posed for the turnpike through the town of Salisbury, and 
ascertain the practicability of making it on a different route 
from where it is at present laid, and also to receive any propo- 
sals the town of Salisbury or individuals may make the proprie- 
tors respecting the same, and report at the next meeting." 

At a meeting held February 7, 1804, Thomas W. Thompson 
was chosen treasurer, and Andrew Bowers, Esq., first director. 

There was a continued contest between the South Road res- 
idents and those at the Centre Village, each striving to secure 
the benefits of the new road and to prevent the other from 
obtaining any advantages. The following representations were 
made by different parties to induce the directors to locate fav- 
orably to those specially interested : 

FOR BOTH VILLAGES. 



We the subscribers promise & engage to the Proprietors of the fourth Turnpike 
road in New Hampshire in consideration that they should think proper to lay out 
and make said Turnpike road by both of the meeting houses in Salisbury in the 
usual & ordinary way of making said road, that we will be responsible for all the 



FOURTH NEW HAMPSHIRE TURNPIKE. 307 

extra expense in labor on tlie road, to make the same so that it shall not rise more 
than eighteen inches in a rod in any part of said road from Esq. Bean's to Widow 
Fifield's land, — to the satisfaction of the Directors of said Corporation. 

JONATH.^N FIP'IELD, 
AMOS PETTENGILL, 
REUBEN TRUE, 
ISAAC BI.AISDELL, 
JAMES PETTENGILL. 
Salisbury Dec 22 1S03. 



To the foregoing is added, by way of post.script : 

Not to vary more thaTi eight rods from a straight line. It is further verbally 
proposed that instead of the rise being eighteen inches in a rod it shall on the same 
condition be made to be only fifteen inches in a rod. 



FOR THE CENTRE ROAD. 



We the subscribers promise and agree with the Proprietors of the fourth New 
I lamp. Turnpike road, provided they can consistently with the public good, lay out 
and make said road in such a direction as to pass by the Centre road meeting-house, 
to pay them or the owners of the land all the damages which may be assessed by a 
Committee from the Court in consequence of said road being made across any 
lands, from the place on Widow F"ifield's where the road would vary from the direc- 
tion where it has heretofore been laid out to half the distance through Mr. Ephraim 
Colby's land. 

JONATHAN FIFIELD, 
AMOS PETTENGILL, 
JAMES PETTENGILL. 
Salisbury Dec 21 1803 

ANOTHER PROPOSITION. 

We the subscribers promise & agree to pay the damages which may be assessed 
on land from Ensign Moses Garland's to Esqr. Bean's in consequence of the fourth 
New Hampshire Turnpike being laid out and made across said land, — or to pur- 
chase said land of the owners and convey the same to the Proj^rietors of said Turn- 
pike on consideration said Turnpike shall be laid out and made to pass between 
Capt. Luke Wilder's house and Mr. Josiah Rogers's, in Salisbury, and we further 
agree in case said road should be made through Kphraim Colby's land to pay one- 
half of the damages, or to purchase the one half of the land necessary for said road 
& convey the same to the said proprietors for the use of said road. 

SAMUEL (iREENLEAF, 
MOSES EASTMAN, 
ANDREW BOWERS. 



308 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Salisbury, December 19, 1803, at a meeting of the proprie- 
tors, the committee reported as follows : 

We the undersigned, a committee appointed by the proprietors of the fourth 
New Hampshire turnpike, to examine the different routes which have been proposed 
for malving said road in the towns of Lebanon & Salisbury and to receive propo- 
sals from the inhabitants of said towns report * * * That in the town of 
Salisbury comparing the public claim to the shortest course, with the inconven- 
ience and great damages to a very respectable part of the town, and the large sums 
to which the corporation would be subjected in damages, we say that the road 
ought to be made by the two meeting houses, provided the inhabitants fulfil their 
proposals and if the corporation in addition, would lay out a small part of what 
they will save in damages by the road going by said meeting houses, it would make 
such a road, as in our opinion, the public would have no cause of complaint * * 

ELIAS STEVENS, ) 
JESSE WILLIAMS, > Committee. 
JOEL MARSH, ) 

Voted, "That the report of said committee be accepted so far 
as it respects the route of said road in the town of Salisbury, 
and that the directors cause the same to be laid out, made and 
completed, provided sufficient security be given for a compli- 
ance with the aforesaid proposals, it being considered that the 
corporation are to be indemnified for all extra expense in mak- 
ing said road there, so that it shall not rise more than fifteen 
inches in one rod, and any vote or votes respecting the laying 
out of said road in the town of Salisbury so far as they are 
inconsistent with this vote, are hereby reconsidered." 

The survey was in due time completed, and is given in full 
in the following pages : 



THE FOURTH NEW HAMPSHIRE TURNPIKE ROAD. 

A Survey of the Fourth Turnpike Road m New Hampshire, completed in Decern- 
ber, 1S04. 

Beginning at the northwest corner of the Toll house, at the bridge over Merri- 
mack river, against the town of Boscawen, 

Thence north 65" west iS rods to a stake and stones. 

Thence north 33° west 47 rods to an Elm tree marked II. 

Thence north 27° west 33 rods to an Elm tree marked III. 

Thence north 15° west 26 rods to a stake marked IIII; four rods easterly from 
the northeasterly corner of Maj. Chandler's house. 

Thence north 32" west 332 rods to a stake marked IIIIL 



FOURTH NEW HAMPSHIRE TURNPIKE. 3O9 

Thence north 37" west 2S rods to a stake marked IIIIII. 

Thence north 48° west 18 rods to a stake marked IIIIIII. 

Thence north 34° west 179 rods to a Willow tree by Nathan Carter's marked 8. 

Thence north 35^ west 240 rods to a stake marked IX. 

Thence north 45'-' west 70 rods to Landlord Pcarsons's signpost near the meeting 
house. 

Thence north 54*^ west 28 rods to a stake marked XI. 

Thence south 80*^ west 30 rods to a stake marked XII. 

Thence north 49*^ west 18 rods to a stake marked XIII. 

Thence north 20*^ west 42 rods to a stake marked XI III. 

Thence westerly over the hollow 52° west to a Pine tree marked XV. 

Thence north 52° west 213 rods to a stake in Cogswell's pasture marked XVI. 

Thence north 43*^ west 102 rods to a stake marked XVII. 

Thence north 57'-' west 116 rods to a stake marked XVIII. 

Thence north 48° west 97 rods to a stake marked XVIIII. 

Thence north 18" west 157 rods to a stake marked XX. 

Thence north 14*^ west 84 rods to a stake marked XXI. 

Thence nortli 39'-' west 14 rods to an Apple tree by Landlord Choate'sbarn 
marked XXII. 

Thence north 19*^ west 349 rods to a stake marked XXIII, by the blacksmith 
shop by Stephen Gerrish's. 

Thence north 22' west 42 rods to stake and stones against the end of said Ger* 
rish's wall. 

Thence north 35'-' west 16 rods to stake and stones opposite Henry Gerrish's 
house. 

Thence north 48"^ west 14 rods to stake and stones. 

Thence north 55° west 78 rods to a stake marked XXIIII. 

Thence north 58** west 32 rods to a stake marked XXV. 

Thence north 65^ west 80 rods to a Hemlock stub on the end of the Hogback 
marked XXVI. 

Thence north 44' west ^^ rods to Salisbury line. 

Thence the same course 246 rods to stake and stones marked XXVII. 

Thence north 46*^ west 80 rods to stake and stones friarked XXVIII. 

Thence north 54'' west 96 rods to stake and stones in the old road marked XXIX. 

Thence south 79* west 38 rods to the southwest corner of Samuel Greenleaf's 
door-yard. 

Thence north 55° west 18 rods to an Apple tree marked I. 

Thence north 44" west 68 rods to stake and stones marked H. 

Thence north 50** west 197 rods to a Maple staddle* marked HI. 

Thence north 56*'' west 120 rods to a stake and stones by the old road marked 

nil. 

Thence north 59^' west 99 rods to stake and stones by the old road marked V. 
Thence north 44° west loi rods to a stake and stones one rod from the south- 
west corner of Dea. Amos Pettengill's house marked VI. 

Thence north 29° west 25 rods to the westerly corner of Page's hatter's shop. 
Thence north 22° west 355 rods to stake and stones marked VI I L 
Thence north 28*' west 68 rods to a .Maple tree marked IX. 

* A Staddle is a small tree left standing after the growth has been cut. 



310 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Thence north 35*^ west 123 rods to a Hemlock tree marked X. 

Thence north 32° west 91 rods to stake and stones marked XI. 

Thence north 40° west 202 rods to a Pine tree marked XII. 

Thence north 38^^ west 66 rods to a Hemlock tree on the bank of Blackwater 
river marked XIII. 

Thence south c^q° west 84 rods to a Hemlock tree marked XIV. 

Thence north 68'^ west 40 rods to a Uirch tree marked XV standing on the bank 
of the river. 

Thence north 56° west 34 rods to a Hemlock tree marked XVI. 

Thence north 40° west 17 rods to a Hemlock stump marked XVII. 

Thence north 52° west 30 rods to a Beech staddle marked XVIII. 

Thence north 62° west 70 rods to the Cross road near the bridge last built by 
Capt. Harriman. 

Thence north 49° west 92 rods to a stake and stones marked I. 

Thence north 28° west 45 rods to a stake and stones marked II. 

Thence north 50'^ west 10 rods to a stake and stones marked III. 

Thence north 69" west 122 rods to a White Ash staddle marked IIII. 

Thence north 88° west 94 rods to a stake and stones about two rods south of 
Mr. Mitchel's house. 

Thence north 78'^ west 54 rods to a Pine stump marked VI. 

Thence north 85" west 226 rods to stake and stones marked VII. 
' Thence north 71'^ west 20 rods to the end of Harriman's gap to stake and stones 
marked 8. 

Thence north 59" west 100 rods to a stake and stones marked 9, about four rods 
westerly from Landlord Thompson's house in Andover. 

Thence north 87° west 29 rods to a Pine stump marked 10. 

Thence north 70° west 86 rods to a stake and stones marked 11. 

Thence north 70'^ west 33 rods to the southwest corner of Walter Waldo's barn. 

Thence north 58° west 27 rods to a Spruce stump marked 13. 

Thence north 54° west 74 rods to a Hemlock stump marked 14. 

Thence north 71° west 37 rods to a stake and stones marked 15. 

Thence north 33^^ west 28 rods to a Pine stump marked 16. 

Thence north 54° west 160 rods to a Pine stump marked 17. 

Thence north 60° west 57 rods to a stake and stones marked iS. 

Thence north 87" west 27 rods to the northerly corner of Harriman's bridge. 

Thence north 75° west 35 rods to a Hemlock stub marked 20. 

Thence north 84° west 1 19 rods to a great rock with stones on it. 

Thence north 73° west 57 rods to a Hemlock stump marked 22. 

Thence south 88° west 40 rods to a Hemlock stump marked 23. 

Thence north 50*^ west 82 rods to a stake and stones marked 24. 

Thence north 32° west 22 rods to a rock with stones on the top. 

Thence north 63° west 34 rods to a Beech stump and stones marked 26. 

Thence north 57° west 46 rods to a great rock with stones on top. 

Thence north 50*^ west 48 rods to a Spruce stump marked 28. 

Thence north 66" west 60 rods to Hemlock stump marked 29. 

Thence north 63'' west 90 rods to Mack's oven. 

Thence north 74° west 62 rods to a Birch tree marked 31. 

Thence north 65° west 54 rods to a Hemlock tree marked 32. 



FOURTH NEW HAMPSHIRE TURNPIKE. 3II 

Thence north 45^' west 61 rods to a Beech stump marked 33. 

Thence north 41° west 24 rods to a Beech tree marked 34. 

Thence north 63° west 2S rods to the northerly corner of Mack's bridge. 

Thence north 52" west 66 rods to a stub and stones marked 36. 

Thence north yj" west 44 rods to a rock with stones on top. 

Thence north 53*^ west 52 rods to a Maple tree marked 3S. 

Thence north 65" west 116 rods to a Hemlock tree marked 39. 

Thence north 51" west 4S rods to a Birch stump marked 40. 

Thence north 60° west 152 rods to a stake and stones six rods north of Maj. 
Gay's north door of his low house. 

Thence north 39'^ west 22 rods to a stake and stones marked i. 

Thence north 71° west 52 rods to a rock with stones on top. 

Thence south 70*^ west 34 rods to a stake and stones marked 3. 

Thence south 60" west 22 rods to a Spruce stump marked 4. 

Thence north 88^' west 49 rods to a rock with stones on top. 

Thence north 57** west 32 rods to a Maple stump marked 6. 

Thence north lo" west 100 rods to a Beech tree marked 7. 

Thence north 16" west 48 rods to a Beech tree marked 8. 

Thence north 25'-' west ^t, rods to a Birch tree marked 9. 

Thence north 20" west 52 rods to a Hemlock tree marked 10. 

Thence north 32° west jS rods to a Maple tree marked 11. 

Thence north 21" west 26 rods to a .Spruce tree marked 12. 

Thence north 45^ west 116 rods to a stake and stones marked 13. 

Thence north 22'^' west 15S rods to a Bass wood tree marked 14. 

Thence north 15'' west 56 rods to a Beech tree marked 15. 

Thence north 35*^ west 22 rods to a stake and stones marked 16. 

Thence north 49° west 26 rods to a stake and stones marked 17. 

Thence north 63" west 52 rods to a Spruce stump marked iS. 

Thence north 53'-"' west 42 rods to a Hemlock tree marked 19. 

Thence north 60° west 124 rods to a Spruce stump marked 20. 

Thence north 67*^ west 100 rods to a rock with stones on top. 

Thence north 53° west 26 rods to a rock with stones on top. 

Thence north 63"^ west 45 rods to the top of a ledge of rocks at the southeasterly 
end of the meadow or log on the height of land. 

Thence north 50*^ west 9S rods to a Hemlock stump marked 24. 

Thence north 24'-' west 36 rods to a Birch stump marked 25. 

Thence north 33° west 46 rods to a Hemlock tree marked 26. 

Thence north 82' west 36 rods to a rock with stones on top. 

Thence north 52" west 21 rods to a Birch stub marked 28. 

Thence north 38^ west 36 rods to a rock with stones on top. 

Thence north 66° west 82 rods to a rock with stones on top. 

Thence north 51" west 112 rods to a stump marked 31. 

Thence north 36*^^ west 300 rods to a Hemlock stump marked 32. 

Thence north 10'" west 143 rods to a Birch tree marked }}, opposite Mr. Lacey's 
house. 

Thence north 23"^" west 40 rods to a Birch tree marked 34. 

Thence north 16'' west 6S0 rods to a .Spruce stub marked 35. 

Thence south 25" west 50 rods to a Hemlock stub marked 36. 



312 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Thence north 14° west 278 rods to a stake and stones marked 37. 

Thence north 26'' west 36 rods to a Hemlock tree marked 38. 

Thence north 33*^ west 40 rods to a Beech tree marked 39. 

Thence north 48^ west 366 rods to a great rock with stones on the top against 
Col. William Johnson's. 

Thence the same course 54 rods to a stump marked i. 

Thence north 59° west 49 rods to a rock with stones on top. 

Thence north 45"^ west 90 rods to a rock with stones on the top. 

Thence north 53° west 26 rods to a rock with stones on the top. 

Thence north 23'=' west 35 rods to a Beech stump marked 5. 

Thence north 26° west 30 rods to a Beech tree and stump marked 6. 

Thence north 36° west 184 rods to a rock with stones on top. 

Thence north 62° west So rods to a rock with stones on top. 

Thence north 42^ west 100 rods to Clough's, four rods northerly of the line of 
his horse barn. 

Thence north 36'' west 201 rods to stake and stones opp. Curriertown marked 10. 

Thence north 43*^ west 66 rods to stake and stones marked XI. 

Thence north 52"^ west 132 rods to a south corner of the Shakers' fruit garden. 

Thence north 39*^ west 106 rods to northerly end of a water course. 

Thence north 28° west 36 rods to a Hemlock stump marked XIIH. 

Thence north 3'^ west 94 rods to corner of Shakers' orchard marked XV. 

Thence north 94 rods to the pond. 

Thence by the side of the pond 330 rods to a Hemlock tree or stump marked 

xvn. 

Thence north 45" west 92 rods to a Maple stump marked XVHI. 

Thence north 20° west 40 rods to a stake and stones marked XIX. 

Thence north 33° west 66 rods to Houston's barn southwest corner. 

Thence north 48" west 88 rods to a stake and stones marked XXI. 

Thence north 55° west 122 rods to a Beech tree marked XXII. 

Thence north 82"^ west 10 rods to a Beech tree marked XXIII. 

Thence south 63° west 48 rods to a stake and stones marked XXIIII. 

•Thence south 42° west 36 rods to a Maple tree marked XXV. 

Thence south 40'-^ west 60 rods to a stake and stones marked XXVI. 

Thence south 77° west 14 rods to Capt. Aaron Cleaveland's horse shed. 

Thence north Sg'^ west 68 rods to a stake and stones marked XXVIII. 

Thence south 80" west 136 rods to a stake and stones marked XXIX. 

Thence south 65'^ west 64 rods to a stone causeway built by Peter Miller at the 
north end. 

Thence north 68° west 160 rods to a Birch tree marked XXXI. 

Thence north 50'^ west 40 rods to a White Birch tree marked XXXII. 

Thence north So° west 66 rods to southeasterly corner of Packard's bridge so 
called. 

Thence north 20° west 12 rods across the river to stake and stones marked 
XXXIIII. 

Thence west 32 rods to a great rock with stones on toj). 

Thence north 38'^ west 40 rods to a stake and stones marked XXXVI. 

Thence north 50° west 37 rods to a Pine stump marked XXXVII. 

Thence north 65'' west 24 rods to a Pine stump marked XXXVIII. 



FOURTH NEW HAMPSHIRE TURNPIKE. 313 

Thence north 45° west 71 rods to a White Maple tree at the crotch of the road 
marked XXXIX. 

Thence on tlie river road towards the mouth of White river. 

Thence north 64" west 67 rods to a stake and stones marked I. 

Thence south 82° west across the river 31 rods to a stake and stones marked II. 

Thence north 65^' west 42 rods to a Chery tree marked III. 

Thence south 83*^ west 28 rods to a stake and stones marked I III. 

Thence south 73° west 52 rods to a stake and stones marked V. 

Thence south 85° west 118 rods to the south end of Hough's horse shed. 

Thence 80° west 44 rods to a stake and stones marked VII. 

Thence north 71'' west 70 rods to a rock with stones on top. 

Thence south 81" west 90 rods to a Maple tree by Mr. Peck's house marked IX. 

Thence south 87" west 1 56 rods to a stake and stones at the west end of Mr. 
Peck's bridge. 

Thence west 100 rods to the south abutment of a bridge by Mr. Gates. 

Thence north 71*^ west 38 rods to a stake and stones marked XII. 

Thence north 85" west 14 rods to a stake and stones marked XIII. 

Thence south 78" west 70 rods to a stake and stones marked XIIII. 

Thence north 87'^ west 130 rods to the north c<jrner of the bridge called Dock. 
Parkhurst's bridge. 

Thence south 62° west 14 rods to a stake and stones marked XVI. 

Thence north 75*^ west 13 rods to an Oak tree marked XVII. 

Thence north 46^ west 98 rods to Mr. Waters's well. 

Thence north 35° west 78 rods to a Pine bush marked XVIIII. 

Thence north 33° west 98 rods to a stake, one rod south of Hubbard's store. 

Thence north \-]° west 22 rods to Esqr. Hutchinson's office. 

Thence north 8° west 76 rods to a stake and stones marked XXII standing 
north from Dana's tavern. 

Thence north 46" west 54 rods to a Pine stump marked XXIII. 

Thence south 65° west 15 rods to the north end of Lyman's bridge over Con- 
necticut river. 

Which road is four rods wide southeasterly from the aforesaid bounds, and is 
surveyed by order of the Directors, by me, 

JOEL MARSH, Surveyor. 

Copy, &c., examined by William Woodward, Clerk. 

Dec. 8, 1804. 

The above survey made by direction of us, 

ANDREW HOWERS, ) Directors of 4th 
fOEL MARSH, > X. H. Turnpike 

WILLIA.M JOHNSON,) Corporation. 

Copy examined by Parker Noyes, Prop. Clerk. 

It was generally supposed that the road was one of profit to 
the Proprietors, but a full and accurate statement of its con- 
dition and income was never made, as required by the Legisla- 



314 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

ture, until 1830, though it was completed in i8o4, but gates 
were not erected until two years later. 

The road as surveyed commenced at the northwest corner of 
the toll house at the bridge leading from the north part of Con- 
cord, east side, and the south part of Canterbuury to the south 
part of Boscawen, just north of the mouth of the Contoocook. 
The toll house, at that time, was evidently on the west side of 
the river, but thirty years later, in the memory of men of the 
present day, it was on the opposite side. 

There was a toll-gate in nearly every town. The gate in 
Salisbury was called the "Parker Gate," and was kept for many 
years by that faithful man, Dea. Daniel Parker. The toll-house 
stood on the west side of the road, at the corner where the road 
intersected the old College Road, south of the present residence 
of B. F. Heath. The old cellar is still to be seen. 

From the toll house the road was built as the river road now 
runs, with slight variations to the Gerrish tavern, now the 
residence of Trevett Boyce, then through Boscawen Plain, by 
Nathan Carter's, now Caleb Hall's, thence north to Pearsons's 
Hotel, now Samuel A. Ambrose's, then turning to the west 
around the cliff, and north past the toll house near the gulf, 
still standing and occupied by "Aunt Aphia Thurston." It ex- 
tended on north, as the road now goes to the Gerrish place and 
up the long hill to Landlord Choate's, now Deacon Samuel 
Choate's, on High street, over the "Hogback" to Salisbury, 
Leaving the line of the College Road after passing Calef Hill, it 
intersected the south range west of the present site of the 
academy, and went westward through the South Road Village, 
turning on a curve line northward by the old Greenleaf store, 
it crossed the centre rangeway, and run through Centre Road 
Village, by Dea. Pettengill's tavern, the site now occupied by 
Daniel F. Searle, turning sharp round Charles G. Morse's house 
through the Parker gate and passed on by the Mitchell place, 
in Andover, now occupied by John M. Shirley, by the old 
Thompson tavern, and the Waldo tavern at the Potter Place. 

Amos Pettengill carried this corporation by his personal in- 
fluence through many a dark day. He invented a snow plow 



FOURTH NEW HAMPSHIRE TURNPIKE. 315 

that was often drawn through the deep snow piles of Salisbury, 
by thirty yoke of oxen, cutting a path a rod wide. 

We need trace the "old turnpike" no further, since we 
have carried the reader over its devious way, from its starting 
point in sight of Dustan's Island through Boscawen, Salisbury 
and Andover, where it seems most proper to leave it. 

But its history is not completed. It has obstacles yet to over- 
come, or it must yield to their opposing force. The road was 
never popular ; toll bridges and pike roads seldom are. Though 
residents of the town were privileged to pass free on business 
within town limits, and when attending church, or school, or 
funerals, they often cheated the road of its revenue, by acting 
if not uttering falsehoods, and adopted measures to increase its 
unpopularity; complaints were filed against its management; 
suits were brought to recover damages through the neglect of 
its managers and operators, and petitions were sent to the 
Legislature for the repeal of its charter. 

But it lived until near the year 1840, when an order was 
issued by the court, declaring the southern portion of it free to 
public travel, the town of Salisbury paying the corporation 
$600, as its share of indemnity to the stockholders. Other 
towns were awarded corresponding proportions of the amount 
due the company. 

There is connected with this enterprise the memory of a sad 
event. It will be seen that Mr. Russell Freenmn was one of 
the most active men in securing the charter and constructing 
the road. He was one of the most respected citizens of Grafton 
county. It was his misfortune to contract more debts than he 
could cancel. As a consequence he was committed to the jail 
at Haverhill Corner, under the law of his times, on complaint 
of a creditor. Here he and a Mr. Starkweather were placed in 
the same cell or room with a miserable villian by the name of 
Burnham. Taking offence at something these gentlemen had 
said, Burnham, having secured a deadly weapon, suddenly fell 
upon them and killed both of them. It was one of the most 
diabolical acts ever committed in the State, for which the mur- 
derer was publicly executed. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



BRIDGES, FERRIES AND CANALS. 



"Wizard Fancy builds me bridges, 
Over many a dark ravine, 

Where, beneath the gusty ridges, 
Cataracts dash and roar unseen." 



BRIDGES. 

Ths first important bridge in the town was built over the 
Blackwater river, in 1776. Nathaniel Meloon and Sinkler Bean 
took the contract to build it, at "fifty cents per head," as the 
record reads; but that needs an explanation which we are not 
able to give, unless it be that a poll-tax of fifty cents was levied 
to meet the expense. This bridge was probably on the line of 
the south rangeway, where it crosses the stream. 

The second bridge was also over the same river, but on the 
centre rangeway. Capt. Iddo Scribner contracted to build it 
for the sum of $39.00. It was constructed in 1777. 

These bridges were undoubtedly rebuilt in the course of a 
quarter of a century, and others of less importance were also 
from time to time constructed ; but they do not appear to have 
been matters of record. 

The first bridge over the Pemigewasset was built in 1802, 
and afforded the means of communication between Salisbury 
and Sanbornton. Previous to this there was no crossing the 
stream with teams, except by ferries, or by fording it at low 
water, or upon the ice in the winter, neither of which methods 
were available at certain seasons of the year. Crossing was. 
effected just north of the location of Bepublican bridge, the road 
leading to the stream being just south of the Gerrish block. 



FOURTH NEW HAMPSHIRE TURNPIKE. 317 

In 1793, it appears that Charles Glidden, Jonathan Eastman, 
Peaslee Badger, Ebenezer Eastman, Jeremiah Clough, Obadiah 
Cloiigh, Chandler Lovejoy, Thomas Oilman, David McCrillis 
and Thomas Cross obtained a charter to erect a toll-bridge 
across the Merrimack river, between Salisbury and Northfield, 
within three miles of Cross's Ferry. The charter lapsed 
through the neglect of the grantees to build. 

An act of incorporation was obtained in the year 1800, sty^d 
"An Act to incorporate certain persons for building a bridge 
over the Pemigewassett Branch, at Webster's Falls, between 
the towns of Salisbury and Sanbornton, and for supporting the 
same." The parties named as grantees were Ebenezer Web- 
ster, Ebenezer Eastman, Joseph Clark, Samuel F. Oilman, 
Thomas Clough, Jr., Ellison Fowler, Ebenezer Clark, Jonathan 
Ayers, Elijah Sargent and William Smith. 

Ebenezer Webster was authorized to call the meeting for 
organization and the transaction of other business. They were 
required to build within three years or forfeit the charter. It 
was completed before the limitation prescribed, though we find 
IK) record of any meeting of the corporation, and none of the 
cost of construction. The rates of toll permitted by the terms 
of the charter were : 

For a person on foot i cent. 

For a horse and rider 3 " 

For a horse and chaise or other carriage drawn by one horse, 10 " 

For a sleigh and one horse 4 " 

For a sleigh drawn by more than one horse 6 " 

Sheep or swine ^ " 

February 12, 1824, there occurred one of the most destructive 
freshets ev-er witnessed in this section. For some days the 
weather had been very cold ; this was followed by a southerly 
wind which increased to a gale, and during the night previous 
the rain fell in torrents ; the snow was rapidly melted, and in a 
few hours the heavy ice in the river broke up, and the swollen 
stream swept away bridges and everything in its course. This 
bridge shared the fate of all others on the Pemigewasset. It 
was rebuilt at once. The History of Sanbornton says the new 



3l8 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Structure was an old-fashioned string-bridge, with wooden piers, 
and built upon contract by the Sanbornton brothers, William 
and John Durgin, at a cost of ^2,000. The winter freshet, 
accompanied by the tremendous gale and storm of January 27, 
1839, again demolished it. The following summer the present 
covered bridge was erected, at a cost of $7,000. It continued 
a toll-bridge until 1845. 

The toll-house stood on the west side of the river, near the 
northwest corner of the bridge. The toll-gatherers, whose 
names have been handed down to the present day, are Edward 
Blodgett and John Robertson. 

FERRIES. 

In 1800 there were two ferries over the Merrimack. The 
upper one, known as Wise's Ferry, was nearly opposite the east 
termination of the south rangeway ; the other, called Cross's 
Ferry, was farther down, and furnished communication over the 
Merrimack with Northfield and Canterbury. 

CANALS. 

An act passed the Legislature, January i, 1796, authorizing 
a number of gentlemen to construct a canal from the Isle of 
Hooksett to the mouth of the Winnepesaukee river, and so 
continue to the lake. Upon the expectation that the canal 
would be built. Col. Ebenezer Webster, Thomas W. Thompson 
and others, in 1804, obtained a charter to build a canal by 
Webster's Falls. This would enable them to transport goods 
between Boston and the northern country at a cheap rate. But 
neither of these projects was carried into execution, although 
freight was brought up the river on flatboats to Salisbury, to 
Blodgett's Landing, south of Republican bridge. The design 
was that this canal should connect at Concord with the Middle- 
sex Canal from Boston. 



CHAPTER XXIL 



PERAMBULATION OF LINES. 

" Now that the septennial year has come around, 
We'll perambulate our territorial bound." 

STATUTE REQUIREMENT. 

It is a requirement of the statutes of the State that the "lines 
between towns shall be perambulated, and the marks and 
bounds renewed, once in every seven years." In the provincial 
days the limit was three years. The work must be executed by 
the selectmen or by such parties as they may appoint. 

THE EARLIEST PERAMBULATION. 

The earliest record of the perambulation of the lines of Salis- 
bury was made in the year 1762, when the township was known 
as Stevenstown. In the month of September of that year, 
Elisha Sweatt, Peter Sanborn and Ebenezer Stevens were ap- 
pointed by the proprietors, at a meeting held in Kingston, "a 
committee to perambulate our adjoining town lines;" for which 
service it was voted to pay them five pounds old tenor per day. 

On the part of New Breton, or Andover, the committee con- 
sisted of Nathaniel Healey, John Sanborn and Jeremiah Lang. 
These men run the lines and established anew the monuments 
between the towns they represented, and made a record, of 
which the following is a copy: 

Province of New Havipshire. 

We, the subscribers, being chosen a Committee by the Proprietors of each town- 
ship hereinafter named, to settle the boundaries and lines between Stevenstown and 
New Breton, so called, have made a perambulation as follows, viz: 



320 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



We began at a Pine Tree, standing on a great rock in the bank of the Pemige- 
wasset River, which is the boundary between the towns aforesaid, running about 
Seventeen degrees South, about nine miles, to a beech tree* marked on the South 
side with the letter S, and on the north side with the letter B, and with other marks 
thereon. 

Witness our hands, ELISHA SWEATT, 

PETER SANBORN, 
EBENEZER STEVENS, 
NATHANIEL HEALEY, 
JOHN SANBORN, 
JEREMIAH LANG. 
Stevenstown, 

Dated October the First, 
1762. 

Stevenstown, Oct. 22, 1762. 
We, the Subscribers, being a Committee chosen by the Proprietors of each 
town to settle the boundaries and lines between Stevenstown and Boscawen, have 
settled said boundaries, and made the lines agreeable to each charter of said towns. 

1 



ELISHA SWEATT, 
PETER SANBORN, 
EBENEZER STEVENS, 
NATHANIEL DANFORD, 
JOHN FOWLER, 
PETER COFFIN, 



Commitee 

for 

Stevenstown' 

and 

Boscawen. 



THE BOUNDARY LINE DISPUTE. 



The north line of Contoocook (Boscawen) run west fifteen 
degrees south; the south line of Stevenstown (Salisbury) run 
west seventeen degrees south ; that is the north and south lines of 
Stevenstown were not drawn parallel, as they were designed to 
be. The north and south lines of New Breton were each fif- 
teen degrees south of west, and consequently parallel, and cor- 
responded with the north line of our town. The fact undoubt- 
edly is that the mistake was made by the recording officer sub- 
stituting seventeen for fifteen, thus covering a gore of Contoo- 
cook previously granted. 

Twenty years pass away, and the controversy regarding the 
boundary lines has apparently just commenced. In 1780, De- 
cember 22d, it was voted to join with Col, Henry Gerrish, to 

*The stump of the beech tree is undoubtedly the one referred to by the Legisla- 
tive Committee in 1S16, in their report establishing the line between Salisbury and 
Kearsarge Gore. It is frequently referred to in the records. 



TOWN BOUNDARIES. 321 

"prefix the boundaries at the western end of Salisbury, provided 
he comes with authority from the grantors to settle and prefix 
the same." Capt. John Webster, Dea. John Collins and Joseph 
Bean, Esq., were chosen as the committee. Several ineffectual 
'efforts were made to adjust the matter. Meetings were held 
and adjourned; plans were laid and disconcerted; propositions 
made and rejected. On the 17th of October, 1781, the commit- 
tee appointed nearly a year before, announced their readiness 
to make a report of their acts. 

October 9, 1787, they reported as follows: 

"Col. Gerrish came to us with a power of attorney that we 
deem sufficient to settle the boundaries at the western end of 
the township of Salisbury, and as it appeareth to us, that there 
is a mistake in the grantors of the charters of Salisbury and 
Andover, interfering one upon the other, and also a mistake in 
the grantors in laying out their lots beyond the limits of nine 
miles from Merrimack river, we think it best to give up our 
claim to the land north of seventeen degrees on the north upon 
their confirming to us as far westerly as to take in all our land 
that is lotted, which we have encouragement from said Gerrish, 
upon a straight line." 

In February, 1800, a committee was again chosen to estab- 
lish the northwest corner bound of Salisbury. 

January 17, 1801. Voted, "To accept the report of the com- 
mittee chosen the 5th of February, last, to ascertain the north- 
west corner bound of said town," which was to the effect that 
they run the line from "the southwest corner bound of the town, 
north one degree west, between Salisbury and Kcarsarge Gore," 
until the line intersected the south line of Andover, as is infer- 
red from the description given by the committee. 

LINE BETWEEN SALISBURY AND WARNER. 

May 30th, 1770, the town voted that Ensign Jacob Gale, 
Nathaniel Maloon, Joseph Bean, John Collins and Capt. John 
Webster, be a committee to run the line with New Almsbury 
and settle the bound at the southwest corner of Salisbury. 
Perambulations were made in 1795 and in 1805. At each and 
2 I 



322 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

every one of these, the southwest corner was reported in accord- 
ance with the original charter of Stevenstown, in 1749. 

KEARSARGE GORE. 

As this tract of land lay adjacent to the western limit of" 
Salisbury, and was the occasion of much controversy and liti- 
gation, it becomes important to refer to it in this connection. 

The ^lasonian Proprietors held possession of the Gore, in 
1779, and on the 7th of April, of that year, at a meeting in 
Portsmouth, they voted "to survey out any ungranted land in 
and about the mountain Kearsarge, and to lay out the same into 
one hundred acre lots." The same was surveyed and laid out 
by Henry Gerrish, who reserved in each lot five acres for high- 
ways. These lots were distributed by the proprietors, and 
thereafter were held by inhabitant owners. No settlements 
had been made in the Gore prior to this division of that land. 
Salisbury was settled years before, but not through the entire 
length of the town to its western boundary. When the Gore 
was surveyed and lotted, it is very probable that the Masonian 
owners unwittlingly trespassed on the territory of Salisbury, 
and appropriated some portions of the common land of the 
town, and included them in the distribution. This was not 
noticed by the Salisbury people until some years had passed, 
when it was discovered that the territory fell short of the speci- 
fied nine miles. When Salisbury claimed what was regard- 
ed as her full area of land, a dispute arose as to the town line, 
followed bv suits at law, and finally called for action on the part 
of the Supreme Court. 

In 181 5, the Legislature appointed a committee to investi- 
gate the matter at issue, to report to the next Legislature. 

The town of Salisbury, on the 23d of September, 181 5, in 
regard to the action of the Legislature on the boundary ques- 
tion, voted, "to take the requisite steps to protect our interest." 

And again in May, 18 16, the town chose Andrew Bowers, 
Esquire, agent for the town, "to act with the Representatives 
at the General Court, in remonstrating against the acceptance 
of the report of a committee to establish a line between this 



TOWN BOUNDARIES. 323 

town and Kearsarge Gore, and to attend to all other business 
respecting^ said line, which they shall judge necessary for the 
benefit of the town." 

At the session of the Legislature in 1816, the committee 
made the accompanying 

REPORT. 

The within named committee, having notified the Selectmen of Salisbun,' and 
Kearsarge Gore, met and fully heard therein, and that, in their opinion, the line 
hereafter described is the true division and ought to be established as the line of 
jurisdiction between said towns, viz : Beginning at a large rock on the westerly 
side of the highway on Warner line, opposite Thaddeus Hardy's house; thence 
running north five degrees east about five miles to a beech stump, at the northerly 
end of William Pingrey's land, formerly John Wentworth's thirty acre lot numbered 
54, by Andover line, it being about two rods southeasterly from the bound between 
land of Jonathan Brown and land of Moses Brown in said Andover, which stump 
was heretofore known by the name of the middle northwest corner bound of Salis- 
bury, and is situate one hundred and eighty-four rods easterly of the birch tree 
entwining a spruce tree, which Salisbury claims as their northwest corner bound; 
and two hundred and eighteen rods westerly of the beech tree which the proprietors 
of Salisbury marked for their first northwest corner bound, which line was satisfac- 
torily proved to the committee to have been the true westerly line of Salisbury at the 
time of its incorporation. And they further report, determine and award that the 
town of Salisbury pay for the services of the committee, their assistants and expen- 
ses, taxed at fiftv-one dollars. 

JOHN OSGOOD BALLARD, 
rOSEPII BARTLETT, 
JOHN SMITH. 

The report was accepted in the House, and the Senate con- 
curred. The boundary was established accordingly. 

This action cut off one hundred and eighty-four rods claimed 
by Salisbury next to the Gore, and gave Salisbury two hundred 
and eighteen rods west of the bound established in 1762. 

On June 13th, 1818, Kearsarge Gore was annexed to the 
town of Warner. Looking at a map of the towns, it would 
naturally be suggested that the Gore should have been annexed 
to Salisbury, but the access to Warner is far more easy, and 
this reason alone induced its addition to that town, Salisbury 
not desiring it. 

REMONSTRANCES AND DEPOSITIONS. 

The papers prepared by parties in relation to the controversy 



324 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



have been generally preserved, and are of interest in our 
history. 

To the Honorable the Senate 6^ House of Representatives of the State of N'ew 
Hampshire ifi General Court cojivened : 

Humbly shew the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the town of Salisbury in the 
County of Hillsborough, that we are owners of different lots of land in that part of 
said Salisbury which adjoins Kearsarge Gore — which lots have ever, when taxed, 
been taxed in Salisbury and in no other town or place from the first settlement of 
the country to this day. 

We have been informed that the report of a Committee appointed by the Gen- 
eral Court to establish a line of jurisdiction between Salisbury & Kearsarge Gore 
was at the last June session revised and accepted by the General Court — which 
report drew a new line of jurisdiction, whereby if that line be established the 
aforesaid lands will be transferred to the Jurisdiction of, & be liable to be taxed in 
Kearsarge Gore — which will occasion us great inconvenience. 

With all due respect for the respectable Gentlemen who composed that Commit- 
tee, we think the Report was made from an imperfect view of the subject, & that if 
its merits had been fully laid open to the view of the General Court the Report 
would not have been accepted. 

Wherefore, we pray that the Vote accepting the said Report may be reconsid- 
ered, or that such order may be taken on the subject as the wisdom of the General 
Court shall think the case requires. 

To shew that our opinion of that report is not without foundation, we beg leave 
to submit the following facts and remarks — 

The proprietary Grant of the tract of land now called Salisbury, formerly called 
Stevenstown, was made in the year 1749 by the Masonian Proprietors, who were at 
the same time the owners of the tract of land called Kearsarge Gore— 

The Grantees of Stevenstown, soon after the grant divided part and only part 
of the land granted to them into lots, leaving a considerable tract undivided — 

In the year 1773 they laid out the thirty acre lots at the we.st end of the Grant 
adjoining Kearsarge Gore, and then run it as [not legible] for the first time, the 
west end line of their grant, & marked trees to shew the line. 

The thirty acre lots laid out in 1773 up to this time were immediately after 
drawn among the Grantees, & some of the lots were drawn to the reserved rights of 
the Grantors, the Masonian Proprietors, who have ever since claimed & held these 
lots accordingly — 

It is believed that the Masonian Proprietors by taking those lots in 1773 & 

& holding them ever since, in [not legible] as their reserved right, in the 

grant of Stevenstown did then recognize the right of the Proprietors of Stevens- 
town to the land as far westward as their line.— At that time Kearsarge Gore was 
held by the Masonian Proprietors in common; and was not laid out into lots until 

1782 In the year 1782 Col. Henry Gerrish as the agent & by the direction of the 

Masonian Proprietors surveyed & laid out into lots the tract of land called Kear- 
sarge Gore & bounded on the aforesaid line of lots adjoining Salisbury — The sur- 
vey & plan of the lots then made by Gerrish was adopted by the Masonian Proprie- 
tors & has ever since been recognized by them — 



TOWN BOUNDARIES. 325 

At a subsequent period since question being made respecting the bounds between 
Salisbury & Kearsarge Gore the Masonian Proprietors appointed said Henry f ierrish 
their agent, to join with a Committee of the Proprietors of Salisbury to settle the 
question & determine the proprietary line between Salisbury & Kearsarge Gore. 
In the the year 1801 the said Gerrish on the part of the Masonians & the said Com- 
mittee of the Proprietors of Salisbury went together to the bound which has ever 
been known & recognized as the southwest corner bound of Salisbury — & from thence 
run northward the course directed by the Masonians & on the aforesaid line which 
was run i^: marked in 1773, to be the north line of Salisbury and there made a 
bound between Salisbury and Kearsarge Gore — 

Thus the aforesaid line run in 1773, was recognized by the Masonian Proprietors 
in 1773 & in 17S2 & again in iSoi was settled & confirmed by the parties — 

The limits of the grant from the Masonian Proprietors being thus settled by 
those who had the right so to do, it is believed that the Proprietors of Salisbury & 
Kearsarge Gore are both bounded thereby. 

The description of the town of Salisbury in the act of Incorporation is the same 
as in the Masonian Grant & was probably copied from it — 

The Proprietors of Salisbury have ever since [not legible] & held the land west- 
ward to the aforesaid line run in 1773, to the town of Salisbury has ever held juris- 
diction to the same line. 

The aforesaid Report takes from Salisbury a tract of land of a triangular form 
four miles in length, one hundred & eighty-four rods wide at the north end, running 
to a point at the south iS: laying east of the aforesaid line. 

The inconvenience which will be the consequence of dividing the lots by this 
new line of jurisdiction, and transferring part of a lot to Kearsarge Gore & leaving 
part in Salisbury, we trust will l)e deemed a sufficient apology for this our request. 
Novr 1S16 

Signed \Vd. ELIZABETH STRAW, 

JAMES P. STRAW, 
STEPHEN S. STRAW, 
SAMUEL EATON, 
WM. PINGREY, 
JAMES JOHNSON, 
THOMAS CHASE, 
EBEZR. JOHNSON, 
MOSES GREELEY. 

AFFIDAVITS. 

I Phineas Pean of the age of si.\ty-si.\ years testify and say that in the year of 
1773 I was at a meeting of the Proprietors of Salisbury held at Kingston when the 
Proprietors Chose a committee to run out the town according to the charter, and 
lay out the last division or thirty acre lots. My Father Sinkler 15ean, Benjamin 
Huntoon i\: Capt. John Webster were chosen for that Committee, the Committee 
all lived in Salisbury. My Father moved into the town I with him in 1766 the 
Committee proceeded according to their orders, & finding that Andover Charter run 
two degrees on Salisbury they adjourned & reported to the Proprietors that Andover 
charter run two Degrees on Salisbury & requested instructions. The Proprietors 



326 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

soon after wrote to them that they had laid the matter before the Grantors, who 
had agreed to make up for said two Degrees at the west end of the town, — even if 
it should extend to Perrystown, and directed them to proceed & lay out the last 
Division of lots, — the Committee proceeded & executed their commission in No- 
vember 1773. 

While they were at work at the west end of the town two of the Committee 
Huntoon & Webster and Mr. Foster the surveyor boarded at my Fathers & came 
there & put up every night. — I saw them have the Charter of the town & heard 
their conversation, I heard Mr. Foster the surveyor say that the course they must 
run for the head line of Salisbury was due north from the southwest corner Bound, 
which bound was a beech tree then well known. This beech tree was the southwest 
corner bound of lot numbered 23 & stood where the stone is which is now recog- 
nized as the southwest corner bound of Salisbury. The day that they run the west 
end line of the town — it came on stormey towards night — and when Mr. Foster & 
the committee came in I heard them say that they had run & marked that line over 
the bald mountain & as they supposed almost to the north line of the town, when 
the surveyor fell and broke his compass, which prevented them from going any 
farther and it being very rainy and cold they returned home. 

I further testify that I have known some of the thirty acre lots adjoining that 
line run by Foster to have been in part cleared up & improved about forty years ago, 
and the same have ever since been held under the Proprietors of Salisbury — the 
Masonian Proprietors drew their several rights or lots in this division of thirty acre 
lots, & one of them drew the lot since called the Fisher lot which is bounded on the 
Foster line. 

I further testify that in the year 1782 I understood that Col. Henry Gerrish run 
& laid out into lots part of Kearsarge Gore and was then told, by James Flanders 
Esquire & others who assisted Gerrish, that Gerrish bounded the lots in the Gore on 
the Foster line. 

I further testify that in June iSoi I was called to attend Colo John C. Gale & 
Joseph Bean Esqr. who were appointed as a committee by the Proprietors of Salis- 
bury to join with Colo Henry Gerrish agent of the Masonian Proprietors, to run 
the west end line of the town and establish the northwest corner Bound. 

Col. Gerrish & the Committee appointed Mr. Ephraim Eastman surveyor to run 
the line. Ezekiel Straw, Reuben True and I went as their assistants. 

While we were at the stone which is the southwest corner Bound of Salisbury, 
I heard Col. Gerrish declare to the committee from Salisbury that he was commis- 
sioned by the Masonian Proprietors as their agent to join with the committee from 
Salisbury to perambulate & run the west end line of Salisbury & establish the north- 
west corner bound. 

After some conversation about the point they should run, Colo. Gerrish said he 
was instructed by the Masonian Proprietors to run a course that would cover the 
old Foster line, if it did not take more than one Degree west of north, the one 
Degree he said was for the variation of the compass, they accordingly agreed to 
stand one Degree west of north and said if that point hit the westerly bounds of 
the upper thirty acre lots in said last division they would agree it was right & go on 
accordingly. They started on that course & as they went, they found an old spotted 
line & some of the bounds of the thirty acre lots. After proceeding some waj's East- 
man the surveyor set his compass for an object at a distance & Colo. Gerrish & the 



TOWN BOUNDARIES. 32/ 

committee looked through the sights of the compass & saw that it hit that oljject — 
then Gerrish & the committee went forward to the object & the surveyor & others 
followed, and when we came near to the object which proved to be a Bass stub, we 
found Gerrish and the committee standing by it — they called to us to come on & 
said we were right, that the Hass stul) was the southwest corner bound of the Fish- 
er lot. \Vhen we came to that stub I saw it was spotted and numbered, the marks 
were ancient but plain to be seen. One of the committee then said to Colo Gerrish 
"are you satisfied.'"' — Gerrish answered "yes, come let us start on." We all went 
on together & I do not recollect hearing anything said afterward about the correct- 
ness of the point which we run, for all agreed that we were right. 

We proceeded & found marks of an old line in the woods, which by the appear- 
ance of the marks on the trees, was run as early as 1773 — We found on this line a 
large white rock which is seen at a great distance & had long been noted as being 
on the line; there were then ancient marks evidently made by man on the rock — 
Mr. True marked it again with his ax. 

Colo. Gerrish had his compass with him, and very often went forward on the old 
line, & set his compass and looked back <.\: would say "you are right, come on." 
We found ancient marks on trees all along our course in the woods until we 
came as near as I can judge within half a mile of the north line — we passed the 
same course to the north line, — and there we marked a Birch tree with a spruce by 
the side of it for the northwest corner Bound of Salisbury — each one present placed 
a stone at the foot of the tree — that it might bt; known as the Bound. We set off 
for home, but it soon came on dark & we were obliged to lay out in the woods all 
night. 

I have lived ever since the year 1766 at the distance of about two miles from 
the aforesaid line called the Foster line tS: have never known any other line at the 
west end of the town run by the Proprietors of Salisbury or by the Masonian Pro- 
prietors. When Foster & the committee were running the said line in 1773 I under- 
stood from them that the west end line had not before been run by anybody. — In 
iSoi I with John Webster & others assisted in surveying the common land in the 
west part of Salisbury. Ephraim Eastman was the surveyor — We surveyed and 
measured all the common land up to the Foster line so called, & a plan of it was 
made which I exhibited to Nathan'l A. Hazen Esquire agent of the Masonian Pro- 
prietors, also informed him of the doings of the Proprietors of Salisbury respecting 
a sale of the land, and he recommended to sell all the land according to that plan. 

Afterwards Mr. Ilazen as agent for the Masonian Proprietors authorized me to 
represent & sell their shares of all the common land according to that plan. I did 
sell it & paid over the money to his order and took his discharge for the same. 

Question, by Richard Herbert, Jr.: Who were the committee for selling the 
common land in .'Salisbury.' 

Answer, by Deponent : .\ndrcw Bowers, Benjamin Pettengill, Jr., and Benjamin 
Little. 

Question, by the same : 1 )id you act as Auctioneer in selling said common land .' 

Answer. Ves. 

Question, by the same : 1 )icl you, or did you not at the time of said sale repre- 
sent that said common land extended westwardly to the Foster line so called.' 

Answer. I did so represent it, and sold all the land situated between the lotted 



328 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

land in Salisbury westwardly to said Foster line, which was considered the western 
head line of Salisbury. I acted only as auctioneer in selling said land under the 
direction of the aforesaid Committee. 

Signed, PHINEAS BEAN. 

State of Nexo Hampshire, Rockingham, SS. 

On the thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- 
dred and seventeen, personally appeared before us the subscribers Justices of the 
Peace quorum the said Phineas Bean and made solemn oath that the fore- 
going Deposition by him subscribed, contains the whole truth and nothing but the 
truth relative to the point for which it is taken. 

Before us ALBE CADY, / Justices of the Peace. 

JOHN ODLIN, \ Quorum 



I Reuben True testify and say that sometime in the month of June iSoi I was 
called on by one of the Proprietors committee of Salisbury, to help run the west 
end line, & ascertain, & establish, the north west corner bound of said town. I 
accordingly went with them to the south west corner bound, which was a Large 
stone, placed in the ground, by its appearance, and their joined in company with 
Joseph Bean Esqr., and Colo. John C. Gale, committee in behalf of Salisbury Pro- 
prietors and Colo. Henry Gerrish of Boscawen, agent for and in behalf of the Ma- 
sonian Proprietors, Ephraim Eastman of Andover, was appointed surveyor by the 
partyes. Phineas Bean Esqr Ezekiel Straw, and I assisted as ax-men, & carrying 
the chain &c. — At the stone before we started, their was considerable conversation 
between Colo. Gerrish & the committee about the point of compass they should run. 
I understood Colo. Gerrish was instructed by the Masonian Proprietors, to run a 
course or point that would just cover the Foster line so called, if it did not take 
more than one Uegree west of north, which would strike the west Bound on the 
west side of the thirty Acre lots in the last Division, in that corner of said town. 
Accordingly they started North one Degree west, & said they could tell whether 
they were right or not when they came to the south west corner bound of the Fish- 
er lot so called ( it was my duty to follow the surveyor and spot the line ) we steered 
on & found an old line and some bounds of lots. I recollect one more particularly 
after we had run some considerable distance, the surveyor Mr Eastman asked me to 
look at his compass & see his Object & I did, & saw it at a great distance, we called 
it a .Stump but after passing over a piece of rising ground we found the object was a 
stub; when coming up to it we found Colo. Gerrish & the committee standing by it, it 
was a bass stub, which they all said was the south west corner bound of the Fisher 
lot so called, and Colo. Gerrish and the committee agreed that they were right, and 
after that their was no doubt about the correctness of the course and all went on — 

I further testify that we found marks of an Old line along on our course, and 
particularly, a large white stone on the side of Bald Mountain so called, which ap- 
peared to have ancient marks on it, and was recognized as being on the old Foster 
line. I also marked that stone with my ax; we found some spotted trees, after we 
decended said hill along some ways, — Colo. Gerrish had his compass with him, and 
would very often go along Forward on the old line and set his compass, and loo k 



TOWN BOUNnARIES. 329 

back, & hallow out "you are right, come on'' — When we arrived to the north line of 
Salisbury «S; ascertained it, Colo. Gerrish & the committee of the Proprietors of 
Salisbury marked a Birch tree I think with a spruce near the side of it, for the 
bound, which they called the North west corner Bound of Salisbury and each one 
present placed a Stone at the foot of the tree. 

Soon after we set off for home, but it was soon so dark that we could not find 
the way, and was obliged to stay in the woods all night. We built up a fire and cut 
some little hemlocks and laid down very tired indeed. 

Colo. Gerrish observed that he had surveyed more or less for several years and 
never had so severe a days work before. — 

I further testify that some time in the year 1S05 (I was one of the Selectmen 

that year) I assisted in running that line, with Mr. Joshua Lane, when he made a 

survey of this town, who hit some of those objects, and particularly the above 

named Stone, and he said it was about the best line that he ever followed in the 

woods, and was very well spotted indeed. — 

REUBEN TRUE. 

S^ate of New IIatn/>shire, Rockingham, SS. 

On the thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and seventeen, the said Reuben True personally appeared before us the 
subscribers Justices of the Peace, quorum unus, made solemn oath that the fore- 
going Deposition by him subscribed, contains the whole truth and nothing but the 
truth relative to the point for which it is taken. Said Deposition is taken in per- 
petuam rei memoriam. 

Before us, ALBE CADV, I Justices of the Peace. 

JOHN ODLIN, (quorum unus. 

I Ephraim Eastman do testify and say that some time in June in the year iSoi 
I was called upon by Joseph Bean of Salisbury to run the Line at the westerly end 
of said Salisbury, I accordingly went and met with said Joseph Bean, also John 
C. Gale, Colo Henry Gerrish, Phinehas Bean, Reuben True, & Ezekiel Straw at a 
stone which I understood then was the south west corner Bound of the Town of 
Salisbury; and while we were there, there was considerable conversation passed 
concerning the Point of compass we should run, in which Colo. Gerrish appeared to 
take quite an active part, which caused me to make some enquiry, and I was told 
that Colo Gerrish was acting as agent in behalf of the Masonian Proprietors, and 
Joseph Bean & John C. Gale were a Committee for the Proprietors of Salisbury, 
and I understood I was to run an ancient Line North point, and I was ordered to 
run North one Degree west on account of the variation of Compass, which I did; 
and when I had run a half a mile or more, I came to a small pile of stones, I asked 
what that ment, and I was told that it was one of the westerly Bounds of one of the 
westerly thirty acre lots in Salisbury, and when I had continued on a mile or more, 
I struck a Bass stub, and when I came to it Mr. Gale, Colo Gerrish, Esq. Bean 
were standing around it, and I was informed that it was the south west corner 
Bound of the Fisher Lot so called. This stub appeared to have ancient marks on it. 
I then continued on by my point and heard no more concerning the point of Com- 
pass that I can recollect. .Xfter we left said Bass stub I struck a large whitish Stone 



330 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

on the side of bald Mountain so called, which was a noted object, Esq. Bean and 
Colo Gerrish had their Compasses with them and all the way till I came to the said 
whitish Stone they appeared to criticise my Line very particularly and appeared to 
be very well satisfied with the correctness of it, and when we were in the woods 
before we came to the said Whitish Stone I heard one of them say ( at a short dis- 
tance from me ) here is the Old Line. I continued on till I struck a birch Tree 
which was standing on or near Andover Line, which some or all them spotted and 
marked, calling it the North west Corner Bound of Salisbury, and if I mistake not 
put some stones around it. 

Question, by Moses Greeley: Did you see any tree on or near the line you run 
that appeared to be anciently spotted.'' 

Answered, by Deponent : I did. 

EPHRAIM EASTMAN. 

State of New Hampshire, Rockiftgham, SS. 

On the thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- 
dred and seventeen, the said Ephraim Eastman, personally appearing before us the 
subscribers Justices of the Peace, quorum unus, made solemn affirmation that the 
foregoing Deposition by him subscribed, contains the whole truth and nothing but 
the truth. Said Deposition is taken in perpetuam rei memoriam. 

Before us, ALBE CADV, ) Justices of the Peace, 

JOHN ODLIN, ) quorum unus. 

I Joel Eastman of Lawfull age testify and say that sometime in the fall of the year 
1795 I was called on by the Selectmen of Kearsarge Gore to perambulate the line 
between the Town of Salisbury and said Gore and I did attend to that duty as one 
of the Selectmen of the Town of Salisbury and that the Selectmen of the Gore at 
the South west corner bounds of Salisbury, which is now a large Stone, and agreed 
to run a due North course and did run that course, and found a Number of bounds 
of both and in particular a bass Stub, which bound appeared to agree well with 
our corner, and on said corner found ancient mark of a line and I well remember a 
.large white stone on bald hill which we took for an object before we ascended said 
hill, and we found Marks of an old line descending said hill and before we arrived 
to the North line Night came on and we made our course for the first settlement 
which was Phinehas Huntoon's on Andover line, and it being .Saturday we did not 
persue the business further. 

Question, by Moses Greeley : Did you assist, and when in placing the large 
stone at the southwestern corner bounds of Salisbury? 

Answer, by Deponent : I did assist in placing said stone and I think in the 
year 1796. I had known previously where said corner was — prior to placing said 
stone the corner was designated by a stake. 

JOEL EASTMAN. 

State of New Hampshire, Rockinghafti, SS. 

On the thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- 
dred and seventeen, Joel Eastman, personally appearing before us the subscribers. 



TOWN BOUNDARIES. 33I 

Justices of the Peace, quorum unus, made solemn oath, that the within Deposition 
by him subscribed, contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth relative to 
the point for which it is taken. Said Deposition is taken in perpetuam rei memo- 
riam. 

Before us, ALBE CADV, ) lustices of the Peace, 

JOHN UDI, IN, j Quorum unus. 

I James Flanders testify and say that when Colo Henry Gerrish of Boscawen 
surveyed Kearsarge Ciore he came to my house and put up all night, it was if I 
recollect right in the spring of the year 1782. That evening Colo Gerrish told me he 
was appointed as a surveyor by the Masonian I'roprietors to survey and lot Kear- 
sarge Gore for them, and asked me (if I recollect right) if I would go and show 
him where Salisbury corner bound & head line was. I accordingly went the next 
morning with Colo Henry Gerrish & others to the south west corner bound of Salis- 
bury & shew it to Gerrish ( I then lived in Warner about forty or fifty rods from the 
bound ) which was then a beach tree, this beach was also the south west corner 
bound, of the south westerly thirty acre lots in Salisbury, & was then well spotted 
and marked. I also shew him the head line of Salisbury which run northerly from 
that bound on the west side of the two upper thirty acre lots in the south range, 
(one of said lots is now known to belong to the Straw farm ) and on that course I 
shew him a spotted line as far north (as near as I can judge) as two thirds of the 
way across the west end of Salisbury which I then told Gerrish, was the west end 
line of said town, this line was very well spotted and Colo Gerrish e.xamened it 
very closely. — 

I further testify that some time in the year 1796 (if I recollect right) I assisted 
Capt Joel Eastman as one of the Selectmen of Salisbury (as he said ) in hailing and 
placeing a large stone where the within named beach tree formerly stood which was 
then recognized as the south west corner bound of Salisbury & south east corner 
bound of Kearsarge Gore. 

Question, by Samuel Eaton: Was any part of that farm now called the Straw 
farm, cleared up, when you shew Colo Gerrish the line and bound? 

Answer, by the Deponent: I can not recollect certainly as to that point. 

JAMES EAST.MAN. 
Henniker, April, i, 1S17. 

State of A'ew Hampshire, \ 
Hillsborough, SS. \ 

On the first day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and seventeen, James Flanders, F.squire appeared, before us, the subscribers — 
Justices of the Peace & quorum unus — and made solemn oath that the foregoing 
deposition by him subscribed, contains the truth, the whole truth and nothing but 
the truth relative to the points for which it was taken. The deposition was taken 
in Perfettiiitn Rei Mevioriuvt. 

JOSHUA DAKI.IXG, \ Justices of the Peace, 
OLIVER NOYES, ) (Quorum unus. 

From what we are able to learn, we conclude that Parker 
Noyes, Esq., and Thomas H. Pettengill, Esq., were the counsel 



332 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

for the parties. If so, it is quite probable that the following 
questions, which were raised by the committee of the proprie- 
tors, Benjamin Little and Andrew Bowers, were put by their 
attorney, Mr. Pettengill, and answered, most certainly, by Mr. 
Noyes. 

Question i. Does Salisbury by assuming a line beyond what the charter con- 
tains give them a right to the soil ? 

Answer. If the Proprietors of Salisbury in making the bounds of their grant 
did go beyond the exact measure mentioned in the grant, and the Grantors, knowing 
the same, acquiesced for a time long enough to give title by possession, or in any 
way recognized those bounds, as bounds, the Proprietors of Salisbury will hold to 
those bounds. 

If the Grantors appointed an agent with powers to run the line and fix the 
bounds, — & he with the Proprietors of Salisbury did run the line and fix the bounds, 
the line & bounds so made are conclusive on both parties, unless the agent exceed- 
ed his powers. 

The neglect of the agent to report his doings to his employers, or their neglect 
to record the same will not vacate what was done; but the same may be proved by 
the testimony of witnesses. 

If the Proprietors of the Gore seeing the bounds which Salisbury had made to 
their grant, and the occupation of the land to those bounds, neglected for more 
than 20 years to make an entry on the land, and have brought no action to 
try the title, it is believed that such neglect will amount to such an acquiescence as 
will put an end to the claim of the Proprietors of the Gore. 

Question 2. Will not the Proprietors of the Gore hold the land west of the line 
as lately established by the General Court's committee? 

Answer. The doings of that committee have no effect on the right of soil. 
They have no more effect on the question between the two parties, than the flying 
of a bird thro the air would have. 

The General Court have not power, & could not give power to their committee, 
to determine the bounds of the land & thereby bind the two sets of Proprietors in 
respect of the right of soil. 

The right of soil remains & ever will remain precisely the same as if that com- 
mittee had never been appointed. 

The Proprietors of Salisbury are one body. 

The town of Salisbury as a corporation is another. 

The rights of these two bodies are as distinct, as the rights of any two persons 
can be. 

The only effect that the doings of that committee can have if they have even so 
much, is to determine the line of jurisdiction of the Town of Salisbury as a cor- 
poration. 

The right of the Proprietors of Salisbury to the soil has no connection with, 
nor dependence on, the line of jurisdiction whicii the General Court has assigned 
or may assign to the town of Salisbury. 

Signed, PARKER NOYES. 

May 6, 1S18. 



TOWN BOUNDARIES. 333 

Salishury, May 8, iSiS. 
A. Bowers, Esqr. 

Sir, I have endeavored to answer the questions put by the committee of the 
Proprietors of Salisbury by Mr. Pettengill & by you. 

If the answers are not sufficiently explicit, I will at any time add any thing I can 
to make them more so. 

I am respectfully. 

Your C^bed't Servant, 
Signed, PARKER NOYES. 

QUESTIONS BY MR. BOWERS. 

Question i. If Salisbury Proprietors hold the land that is lotted, will they of 
course hold the Common between the disputed lines? 

Answer. I Doubt, but incline to think they will. There is no doubt, if the line, 
run by Gerrish & the Proprietors of Salisbury, be established. 

Question 2. What effect has the law quieting all the claims of disputed land 
within the curve line claimed by the Masonians on this case.' 

Afiswer. That law does not meet this case. It was merely an extinguishment 
of the claim of the State in favor of the [not legible] on the lands between the 
two disputed head lines of Mason's patent. 

Question j. What would be the effect of Mr. Garland and Mr. Marston and 
others testifying that a beech stub more than a mile east of our claim was shown 
to them by the Selectmen of Salisbury as the northwest corner bound & that one 
selectman had repeatedly preambulated to the same as such? 

Answer. The doings of the officers of the Town of Salisbury could not affect 
the rights of the Proprietors of Salisbury to the soil. That might be evidence of 
the extent to which the town of Salisbury claimed jurisdiction at that time but 
would not bind the Proprietors. 

(Signed) P. NOYES. 

May 7th, iSiS. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



MILLS, WORKSHOPS, STORES AND HOTELS. 

"High curled the smoke from the humble roof, with dawning's earliest bird, 
And the tinkle of the anvil, first of the village sounds, was heard ; 
The bellows' puff, the hammer-beat, the whistle and the song. 
Told, steadfastly and merrily, toil rolled the wheels along." 

"Labor is rest, — from the sorrows that greet us; 
Rest from all petty vexations that meet us, 
Rest from sin promptings that ever entreat us. 
Rest from world-syrens that lure us to ill." 

SAWMILLS. 

Benjamin Chase, in his History of Chester, gives a clear and 
condensed description of the old-time sawmill, which we copy 
preliminary to our record of mill building in Salisbury : 

"The early saw-mills were built with flutter or undershot water 
wheels, with heavy rims, and at least three feet and a half high, 
and about four feet wide, with a wrought-iron crank, from six- 
teen to eighteen inches long. The water was brought on in a 
tangent of about forty-five degrees. The gate hoisted perpen- 
dicularly. The saw-frame run in rabbets in the fender-posts, 
secured by wooden knees called 'hook pins.' The pitman, to 
connect the crank to the saw-frame, was all of wood. The saws 
were of iron, so that when the breast was worn hollow they 
could heat the saw and strike the back on an anvil and straight- 
en it.* The carriage run on pieces of plank, called 'nogs,' about 
two feet apart, set perpendicularly in timbers, the corners cut 
out to receive the carriage. Only one carriage side was cogged. 
Reel dogs were used both ends, so that the dogs were drawn 
every run. To feed, a roller went across the mill, in front of 
the saw, resting on wooden bearings on the plates, and a head 

*The historian is doubtless mistaken, for an iron saw would be useless. The 
saw was recut, not heated and bent back. 



MILLS, WORKSHOPS, STORES AND HOTELS. 335 

hanging down, from which there was a pole some ten feet long, 
with a pawl or hand on the end, to work the rag-wheel. They 
had no apparatus for raising the hand, but always had to be 
there, to take it up and lay it on a pin. They had no negro, or 
jig-wheel, but run the carriage back with the feet ; and to have 
it go easier would have the mill incline a foot and a half or two 
feet in the length." 

It is generally understood that the first sawmill in the town 
was the Webster or Proprietors' mill, located on Punch brook. 
We have accepted this as the fact — but the following letter, 
found among the Masonian papers, at Portsmouth, will show an 
anterior claimant for the enterprise : 

March ye i6th, 1748. 
To the Gentlemen, Proprietors & Purchasers of Capt. John Tufton Mason, Esqr., 
his right in Lands in ye Province of New Hampshire. I, the subscriber, humbly 
shew that in or about ye year 1743, being a proprietor in the Grant of a Township 
called Bakers Town, did in my own right, & in ye Right of ye other Proprietors, 
build a saw mill, and cleared and sowed an acre of Ground, and also built a meet- 
ing house for ye said Proprietors; but now understanding ye right of land is in you, 
I earnestly request that I may be a Grantee in said tract of Land called Bakers 
Town and that I may also have ye benefit of the Mill I built upon such Conditions 
and Terms as the said Tracts of Land shall be CJranted and disposed of by you and 
you will oblidge Your very Humble serv't 

STEPHEN CHASE. 

This Stephen Chase was a descendant of Aquilla Chase, of 
old Newbury, and was one of the grantees of the Massachusetts 
charter of " Baker's-Town," perhaps the only one who had the 
fortitude to come up and remain in the new country. No action 
appears to have been taken in regard to his petition. There 
has been found a rough sketch of Bakerstown, bounded on the 
east by the Merrimack river, with a sawmill located on Punch 
brook. On the intervale and near the banks of the river, at a 
bend in the stream, is indicated what at that day was called a 
meeting house. The location appears to be northeast from the 
spot where the Salisbury fort afterwards stood. 

A rude outline of New Breton and Stevenstown, made by 
William Brown Clough, in 1753, or previous to that date, locates 
a sawmill at the Hancock falls. But it is not certain that any 



3^6 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

mill then existed in the town, except on paper. The first saw- 
mill, so far as our authority warrants, was — 

THE WEBSTER OR PROPRIETORS' MILL. 

To advance the settlement it became necessary to construct 
a sawmill, and at a meeting of the proprietors, held at Kings- 
ton, March 22, 1759, it was voted "that Deacon Elisha Sweatt, 
Lieut. John Huntoon, and Ephraim Collins are chosen a com- 
mittee to lay out to Capt. John Webster one hundred acres of 
land, that is granted to said Webster," for building a sawmill. 
The committee reported that they had attended to the duty 
assigned, as appears by the record. Peter Sanborn, Capt. Elisha 
Sweatt, and Capt. John Webster were chosen to locate the 
sawmill, make all necessary arrangements and have the work 
completed by the first of October, 1761. 

The mill was erected on land belonging to Ebenezer Web- 
ster. During the year there was raised, at different times, five 
dollars on each right, to defray expenses of building the mill 
and laying a road to it. 

Voted, "to give four men that go to Stevenstown to work on 
the sawmill four pounds O. T, per day." 

Kingston, Sept. 29, 1761. Voted, "the one-half the use of 
the sawmill to Capt. John Webster for three years, he, the said 
Webster, sawing the proprietors' lumber at the halves when 
supplied with water, keeping said mill in good repair, and at 
the end of said three years to leave said mill in as good repair 
as when he, the said Webster, received said mill, except from 
fire. If the mill should burn down he would not be under obli- 
gations to rebuild." 

Likewise voted, "to Ebenezer Webster and Eliphalet Gale, 
each of them one-quarter share of said sawmill on the same 
conditions above-mentioned." 

The foregoing was signed by John Webster, Ebenezer Web- 
ster and Eliphalet Gale. 

November 3, 1764, after the expiration of the lease, it was 
voted, "to give Ebenezer Webster the use of the mill for three 



MILLS, WORKSHOPS, STOKES AXD HOTELS. 337 

years from this date, he to saw the proprietors' lumber at the 
halves and keep the mill in good repair." 

Mr. Webster subsequently purchased the mill and run it, 
whenever there was a supply of water. After he removed to 
his intervale farm he sold it to Stephen Sawyer, who continued 
to run it, and also a grist mill in connection with it. At a 
later day he erected a clothing mill a little way down the 
stream. 

In 1764, Capt. John'Webster built a saw mill on Chance Pond 
brook. The mill and a barn stood just north of the residence 
of ]\Irs. Dudley Ladd. He also built a low log house. These 
were the first buildings erected in what is now Franklin West 
Village. The old name of " Pemigewassett River Falls," or 
the "Carrying Place," was changed to "Webster's Falls," and 
later was called "Eastman's F'alls." Capt. John Webster sold 
to Enoch Bartlett, and years after, Bailey Bartlett, who inher- 
ited it, sold the whole mill property to Ebenezer Eastman, for 
$775.00. 

In order to secure more power, he built an aqueduct to 
bring water down over the road, from the Carter grist mill into 
his mill. In 1805 the old mill ceased running, and Gardner 
Colby remodelled it into a forge-shop, and made horse shoes 
and a variety of iron implements. 

Jeremiah Tilton had a clothing mill on the upper end of the 
dam, and James Garland owned the premises when the build- 
ings were swept away in a great freshet. 

About the year 1805, a dam was constructed across the falls 
in the Pemigewasset river, in the rear of Joseph Brown's 
house, in Franklin West Village, then known as Salisbury 
East Village. 

A saw mill, one hundred feet long, was erected soon after- 
wards, some fifteen rods southerly of the dam. Water was con- 
ducted to it by means of a flume on the west side of the river. 
At the same time was built "The Mill House." 

These works were constructed and owned by an incorporated 
company, under the style of the " Pemigewassett Canal Com- 

22 



338 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

pany." Among its stockholders were Col. Moses Lewis and 
Col. John Greeley. Thomas W. Thompson was the President 
and Treasurer, and Edward Blodgett was the Clerk. 

Accompanying is a copy of a certificate of stock issued to 
Joshua Fifield. 

PEMICxEWASSET CANAL. 

[Seal.] Share No. 51. 

This certifies that Joshua Fifield of Salisbury in the County of Hillsborough 
and State of New Hampshire is the Proprietor of Share Number Fifty one in the 
Pemigewasset Canal; which Share is transferable by making an Assignment on 
this Certificate, and causing the same to be entered in a book, kept by the Clerk 
for that purpose. 

In Testhnouv luhereof, the Seal of the Corporation is hereunto affixed, this 
Si.xth day of November in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and 
seven. 

THOMAS \V. THOMPSON, 
Attest : President. 

ED^VARD BLODGETT, 

Clerk. 

Mr. Fifield was the agent in buying and selling and had the 
direction of the mill. The lumber manufactured was sent to 
Newbury port, and was a source of profit to the proprietors and 
a benefit to the town. But after a few years, in consequence 
of restricted sales, the company suspended operations. The 
property passed through several ownerships, including those 
of Skinner & Hurd, who, in 18 16, sold to Ebenezer Eastman. 

In 1823, Eastman left this location and operated mills near 
the site of the present grist mill, further up Chance Pond 
brook. 

John Hancock had a saw mill half a mile up the brook, which 
was built as early as 1801. On the opposite side of the brook 
Joseph Noyes had a grist mill and a clothing mill. 

Capt. Winthrop Fifield tapped Punch brook north of the 
new road leading from Shaw's Corner to Franklin, and built a 
canal, evidences of which may be seen at the present day, 
where it crosses the Franklin road west of Punch brook bridge. 
He extended the canal to the rear of his residence, where he 
erected the larsrest saw mill in the town. He was accustomed 



MILLS, WORKSHOPS, STORES AND HOTELS. 339 

to run the mill by night, in season of abundant water. The 
canal cost more than $1,200, and at that day was a great 
undertaking. 

GRIST MILLS. 

In 1764, a committee was chosen to select a site for a grist 
mill, and the ne.xt year it was voted, " To give 200 acres of 
common land to Benjamin Sanborn and Ebenezer Webster, 
living in Stevenstown, to provide a privilege, build a mill and 
keep it in repair for fifteen years, for which they shall have the 
land." 

Voted, " Capt. Trueworthy Ladd, Col. John Webster, and 
Lieut. Matthew Pettengill are chosen a committee to lay out 
said land and receive the obligations of said Sanborn and Web- 
ster for building said grist mill." 

The parties discharged their obligations, and for many years 
this was the only grist mill in the settlement. The mill stones 
were brought up on an ox sled by Col. Ebenezer Webster, in 
the winter of 1765, and are still in the vicinity of the mill site. 
In 1766, the proprietors voted to give Joseph Bean, Jr., and 
others, a privilege to erect a grist mill, for a term of fifteen 
years, but the offer was not accepted. 

Jacob Carter erected the first grist mill on Chance Pond 
brook. His wife, Sarah, was a sister to Ebenezer Eastman, 
who succeeded Carter in the ownership of the mill. This mill 
stood where James Taylor's foundry is located. 

The first saw and grist mill erected in the west part of the 
town was built by Capt. Samuel Elkins, of Epping, who removed 
to Salisbury between 1781 and 1785, building the house now 
occupied by John Colby. He constructed a dam and erected 
mills on the site of the D. S. Prince mill. He was a captain 
in the Revolutionary waR His wife was Esther Robinson, of 
Poplin, (Fremont.) From Salisbury he removed to Andover, 
where he died in 1823. 

On the stream running from Tucker's pond to the Black- 
water, Nathaniel Greeley, many years ago, had a saw mill On 



340 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Mill brook, back of the Maloon house, Silas Elkins had a shin- 
gle mill, which was built by Israel and John Bean. 

James Currier early erected a grist mill on Blackwater river 
opposite the John Shaw mill, the canal being in front of 
Thomas Whittaker's. A plank walk was built across the river 
to give access to the mill. 

Samuel Dunlap, Jr., purchased the Deacon Amos Pettengill 
saw mill and built a small grist mill on the site of the John 
Shaw mill. In May, 1834, he sold the property to D. C. & 
Cyrus Gookin, who removed the old mill, and erected the 
present convenient fliour mills. For many years it received 
patronage from the neighboring towns. 

Francis Stevens bought out the Gookins in 1858 and run 
the works until 1867, when James Shaw went into partnership 
with him. In 1872, John Shaw bought Stevens's interest. 
The Shaw Brothers continued it until the death of James, in 
1873. Since that time it has been run by John Shaw. 

OIL MILL. 

Wilder & Bowers erected, before the close of the last cen- 
tury, a large flaxseed oil mill, on the site south of William 
Holmes's saw mill. It was the first mill built on Stirrup Iron 
brook, and for a number of years it did a good business. As 
the cultivation of fla.x ceased, they closed business, and the 
mill was swept away by the freshet of 1826. 

Henry and Samuel Calef^bought the privilege, put in a grist 
mill, run it for a time, and were succeeded by John Emerson,, 
who put up a tannery there. 

WOOLEN MILLS. 

The first woolen mill in Salisbury was erected by Aquilla 
Pingree, on Punch brook, soon after 1783. He was succeeded 
by his son, Solomon Pingree. Capt. William Pingree, near the 
close of the last century, erected a fulling and carding mill in. 
the west part of the town, on Blackwater river. 



MILLS, WORKSHOPS, STORES AND HOTELS. 34 1 

POTASH MANUFACTORIES. 

In clearing the land, large quantities of wood were burned 
on the ground, the ashes of which, with those from the fire 
places, were collected by the farmers and sold to the potash 
makers, at prices varying from si.x to nine pence a bushel. 
They were leached and the lye boiled to the required strength, 
when it was dipped out with wooden ladles into large cast iron 
kettles. After being cooled, it was taken out, packed in 
barrels, and transported to the larger towns. 

Andrew Bowers had the first potash manufactory in town. 
It is said to have been first located near his residence, and 
traces of a building are found there. But it is certain that Mr. 
Bowers carried on the business on the north side of the road, 
-opposite the academy, which was afterwards operated by John 
White. John C. Gale, at the North road, also made potash. 
Jonathan P. Webster, at the Centre road, had potash works 
about 1820, the old pump which was used still remaining to 
mark the location. Stephen Sawyer had another manufactory 
just north of the Webster saw mill. 

TANNERIES. 

The first tannery in East Salisbury, or Pemigewasset Vil- 
lage, was built by Mr. Leavitt on the site of the present one. 
He sold to Jeremiah Green and Ira Greeley. 

At the foot of the hill on Cross range road, not far south of 
Centre Road Village, Herschel Green had a tannery which he 
run for several years. 

It was in a small, artificial pond, near by, made by throwing 
a dam across the brook, that the first baptism by immersion 
took place in the town. 

William Haddock, at one time, had a tannery at the Lower 
Village. 

John Emerson, as already mentioned, changed a grist mill 
on Stirrup Iron brook into a tanning and currying mill. This 
he sold to David F. Kimball, of Boscawen, who took Moses 
Sawyer as a partner and converted it into a grist mill. Joseph 



342 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

O. Hall purchased it, and while it was in his possession it was 
destroyed by fire. Henry and Parker Weeks bought the land 
and sold it to William Holmes. 

CARPENTERING. 

When it became the custom to build framed houses, there 
was an increased demand for carpenter work. The work was 
very laborious. The sawing of boards into different widths 
and all planing of boards was done by hand. Doors and sash 
were made by the same slow process, as were cornices, mould- 
ings and brackets. Nails were also made by hand, and of 
wrought iron. The first carpenter in the settlement was, evi- 
dently, John Fellows. Of the same occupation, and good 
workmen, were Samuel Greenleaf, Annaniah Bohonon, Na- 
thaniel Noyes, and Thomas and Eliphalet Williams. Several 
of these mechanics took the contract to build the old Dart- 
mouth Hall at Dartmouth College. They walked from Salis- 
bury to Hanover and carried their tools on their shoulders. 

A/ BLACKSMITHING. 

Andrew Pettengill was the first blacksmith in the town. 
His shop was on the South road, just west of T, D. Little's 
residence. He was a skillful workman and made all the iron 
articles required by the people. 

Abel Morrill was the first blacksmith at the Lower Village, 
locating there in 1785. 

James Proctor was a native of Unity ; learned edge tool mak- 
ing at Claremont ; removed to Salisbury East Village in 1809, 
and built a shop and run a trip hammer north of Mrs. Dudley 
Ladd's, on Chance Pond brook. He died February i, 1847. 
His wife was Abigail Ladd, a native of Unity, who died June 

17, 1873- 

In 1811, Robert M. Adams, having completed his appren- 
ticeship with Mr. Morrill, opened a shop on Cash street, but 
afterwards removed to East Concord and carried on the busi- 
ness there for forty years. 



MILLS, WORKSHOPS, STORES AND HOTELS. 343 

Isaac Cole came to Salisbury in 1821, having, with his son, 
John A., put up a foundry the year precedinfj. It was located 
on the north side of the dam, opposite to Ebenezer Eastman's 
grist mill, on Chance Pond brook. The building is still stand- 
ing. This foundry was the second established in the State, 
the first having been built in Dover some years before. Mr. 
Cole was the son of a Revolutionary soldier who lived in 
Methuen, Mass., in 1768; married Harriet Atwood, of Atkin- 
son. He conducted a successful business until 1827, when he 
sold to Dudley Ladd, and moved to Lake Village, where he 
built a foundry and continued for many years, selling to his 
sons, B. J. Cole & Company. Their stoves were found in many 
village stores throughout the State. 

TAILOR SHOPS. 

The town has had several residents engaged in the tailoring 
business. The earliest was Caleb Judkins. Deacon William 
Cate was also a manufacturer of custom made clothing. In 
June, 1795, he bought land of Abel Elkins and built the house 
in which Edward Shurtleff now lives. He usually had several 
apprentices, among whom was M. P. Thompson, who succeeded 
him. Cate married, March 13, 1796, Polly, daughter of Joseph 
Fifield. He was an active member of the Baptist church, and 
continued to reside in town for many years. He was at one 
time a member of the firm of Dearborn & Cate. 

HAT SHOPS. 

The first hatter in town was Caleb Morse. Charles Aver 
was in the business in 1824 and subsequently, residing where 
Moses B. Calef now lives. He afterwards removed to Man- 
chester, where he died. Thomas R. Greeleaf was the largest 
manufacturer of hats in this section. 

COM I! FACTORY. 

Previous to the incorporation of Franklin, Eli Bootman came 
into town and made horn combs by hand, in the house in 



344 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

which Marcus French now lives. The finishing was done by 
Mrs. Chase and her children, who came to Salisbury from 
Bradford, Mass. 

BAKER AND BOOKBINDER. 

Kendall O. Peabody had a bakery opposite A. K. Moore's 
hotel, in Republican or Pemigewasset Village. He kept sev- 
eral teams on the road, selling gingerbread, cakes, crackers, 
and similar articles made in his shop. 

Christopher Page had a bookbindery at the South road in 
1823, but the patronage did not warrant its long continuance. 
He came from Sutton and on leaving went to Nashua. 

CHANCE POND BROOK BUSINESS PLACES. 

When P'ranklin was organized the following were the places 
where industrial pursuits were carried on upon the banks of 
Chance Pond brook : Ebenezer Eastman run a grist mill ; below 
the foundry, on the opposite side of the brook, was James 
Proctor's scythe factory ; on the east side of the road was the 
woolen and satinet factory, occupied by Benning Moulton ; 
opposite was the comb factory, and Deacon James Garland's 
cooper shop and mill for sorting wool. 

STORES, OR PLACES OF TRADE. 

Major Stephen Bohonon had the first store in town. His 
dwelling-house stood where the parsonage house is now situ- 
ated, and he kept a small stock of goods in one of the front 
rooms. He sold to Andrew Bowers, who moved the house 
back, making an ell to the present house, which he built about 
the year 1806. 

Nathaniel Noyes had the second store and was engaged in 
trade from about 1785 to 1808. His store was located at the 
South Road Village, on the north side, near the junction of the 
old turnpike and the South road. 

In the year 1793 there were six stores in the town, con- 
ducted by John C. Gale, William Hoyt, Luke Wilder, Andrew 



MILLS, WORKSHOPS, STORES AND HOTELS. 345 

Bowers, Nathaniel Noyes, and Dr. Joseph Bartlett. The en- 
tire valuation of these stores did not e.xceed ;j{^i,ooo, though 
they were undoubtedly inventoried much below their real 
value. 

William Hoyt was located at the Lower Village, now Lower 
Franklin. His house "was on the lot where B. S. Hancock's 
house stands. After Hoyt's death, William Haddock opened 
a small store near by. 

The first store building at Republican, or East Village, was 
erected by Ebenezer Eastman, who was first taxed on his 
goods in 1803. Edward Blodgett probably bought him out. 
The building stood gn the site of the " Gerrish Block," and is 
the same building that now stands opposite Richard Judkins's 
house. 

John Robertson went into trade, in the east part of the town, 
quite early. His store was the old school house, which stood 
on the present site of the "John Sanborn Block." Thomas 
Greenleaf was associated with him at one time, as was also 
Robert White. 

Joseph Noyes, familiarly known as " Hard Money Joe," 
built the house lately occupied by Mrs. Isabella West, and 
opened a store in the basement, in 1809, and continued three 
years, when he sold to Capt. Ebenezer Blanchard and moved 
up the River road where he built another store. He continued 
in trade many years and was succeeded by his grandsons, John, 
Ebenezer, and Andrew J. West. 

The "Factory Store" stood just south of the "Webster 
House." It was built in 1822 by Ebenezer Eastman, accord- 
ing to an agreement with the Smithville Company for a three 
years' lease, at $100 rent. It was 25x45 feet, with a back 
store. In 1828, Caleb Merrill built the brick house now owned 
by Senator Pike, and the same year Ebenezer Eastman and 
Henry Greenleaf commenced trading in it. 

Thomas and Eliphalet Williams, brothers, originally from 
Newburyport, Mass., but coming to Salisbury from Hopkinton, 
soon after 1790, built the D. J. Mann house in the Centre 



34^ HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Road Village, which has more " fine wood work " than any 
other house in the town. Eliphalet opened a store in the 
west end of the house, which was fitted up for that purpose in 
1794. He paid a tax on ;^200 value of stock in trade. He at 
length returned to Hopkinton, where his brother Thomas went 
several years previously. 

In Elder Smith's book he gives an account of going into 
trade at the Centre Road and suffering pecuniary loss. He 
does not refer to partners, but the following paper contains a 
partnership contract : 

We, whose names are underwritten, having this day mutually commenced Busi- 
ness in the Mercantile Line, do promise to each other -to perform to each other 
under the forfeiture of five thousand Dollars the following conditions : 

1. That each one will pay an equal part of the stock in trade. 

2. That we will bear an equal part of all expense which arises from this con- 
nection and each guard the interest of the company. 

3. That we will bear an equal part in all the gain and loss. 

4. That this company shall not be dissolved but by mutual consent. 

In witness whereof, we have set our hands and seals this nth day of Oct. 1800. 
Woodstock. 

ELIAS SMITH, 
JO.SIAII GREP:N, Jr., 
P:LISIIA PERKINS. 

Woodstock, Dec. 29, 1S08. 

This day received of Josiah Green all the property belonging to the late part. 

nership of Green & Perkins, and I hereby engage and promise to clear said Green 

from all demands or debts which concern said partnership which I have contracted 

in behalf of said partnership since said Green and I dissolved with Elias Smith. 

Witness my hand. 

ELISHA PERKINS. 

This was the second store at the Centre, and stood a little to 
the northwest of Joseph Hutchings's house. The building was 
purchased by Samuel C. Bartlett about the year 1805, who put 
in a stock of miscellaneous goods the year following. The 
building, or one in its place, was occupied for trade for many 
years and was finally removed to South Road Village. 

Jonathan P. Webster, although a Salisbury man, commenced 
trade in the neighboring town of Boscawen, but returned to 
Salisbury, where he opened a store in the house which he 



MILLS, WORKSHOPS, STORES AND HOTELS. 347 

built and which is now occupied as a hotel by Mr. Drew at the 
Centre. His first tax was assessed in 1801. He continued in 
trade for nearly half a century. He died October 29, 1858. 

The old Nathaniel Noyes store at the South Road was re- 
moved by W. H. Moulton to a site near the Israel W. Kelly 
house and occupied first as a store and then as a barn. El- 
bridge F. Greenough, about 1850, built the " Greenough Store," 
in which he did business for about ten years, when he removed 
to Ohio. His stock of goods was sold at auction and purchased 
by C. E. Foote & Co., who carried on the business for several 
years. Deacon T. D. Little was the " company," and during 
President Lincoln's administration he was postmaster. The 
building has since been used by Amos Chapman, for the evap- 
oration of fruit. 

The Greenleaf St'ore, so called, was erected by Samuel 
Greenleaf previous to 1794, in which year he paid a ta.\ on 
goods valued at ^^150. It was, while under his proprietorship, 
and has since continued to be, the principal store in town. 
Mr. Greenleaf was an active business man. Being situated on 
the principal thoroughfare between Vermont and the sea coast, 
he had an excellent opportunity for trade. The " northern 
freights " delivered their produce at his store, taking in ex- 
change such goods as were needed in their part of the country. 
The " seaboard freights " brought up groceries, manufactured 
goods, salt, fish, liquors, and similar articles, and returned 
loaded with such goods as found a sale in their part of the 
country. Under the arrangement Salisbury became known as 
" the seaboard town." Mr. Greenleaf usually employed six or 
eight clerks who worked busily from five in the morning until 
late at night. Francis S. Greenleaf was one of these. Finally 
he became a partner and then conducted the business alone. 
He went to Boston, and in company with one Cragin engaged 
in business under the firm name of Cragin & Greenleaf. After- 
wards Francis S. came to Franklin and went into company 
with other parties, on the east side of the river, manufacturing 
stockings. He finally bought out the firm and conducted the 
business alone. He afterwards sold and removed to Holder- 



348 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

ness, engaging in business there, and then moved to Manches- 
ter and died. Mr. Greenleaf sold to Jonathan Clement, a son 
of Benjamin M. and Rachel (Herrick) Clement, who moved to 
New London in 1796, where Jonathan H. was born, July 28, 
1 8 10. He completed his education at Hopkinton Academy in 
1834, went at once to Salisbury, where he served as a clerk 
for the Greenleafs for seven years. In April, 1841, he entered 
the firm of F. S. Greenleaf & Co. ; continued five years ; then 
as Greenleaf & Clement six years more, and then became sole 
proprietor. In 1863 he removed to Concord and engaged in 
trade. In, 1871 he went to Derry, where he has since remained. 
He married Nancy M., daughter of John B. Smith. Mr. 
Clement was succeeded at Salisbury by his nephew, George S. 
■Clement, who took as partner John M. ^Hayes, to whom he 
soon sold his interest. Mr. Hayes was born in New London, 
February 16, 1823, and was for several years there engaged in 
trade, and for twelve years was postmaster. He removed to 
Salisbury in i860, where he was afterwards elected town clerk. 
He was chosen representative in 1866 and senator the two 
following years. He removed to Manchester in 1869, where 
he served as an alderman and was also a candidate for mayor. 
His death occurred January 10, 1880. His wife was Sarah M. 
Carr, of New London, who, with a son and daughter, is still 
living in Manchester. 

Charles E. Foote & Co., who had been in trade in the 
Greenough store, succeeded Mr. Hayes at the Greenleaf place. 
They remained, however, but a short time, selling to D. R. 
Everett. Mr. Foote removed to Penacook, where he still 
carries on business as junior partner of the firm of Brown & 
Foote. Everett sold to Elbridge Smith and Arthur S. Calef 
in 1873. In 1878, David G. Bean, who owned the building, 
remodeled it, and in April, 1878, leased it to W. B. Parsons, 
who had previously occupied the Greenough store. Mr. Par- 
sons's son-in-law, Edwin B. Emerson, was a partner for a short 
time, but sold to C. P. Smith. In January, 1882, A. E. 
Ouimby, of Boscawen, son of John S. and Jane B. (Dustin) 
purchased the stock and continued the business. 



MILLS, WORKSHOPS, STOKES AND HOTELS. 349 

There were probably other parties in trade in the town in 
the early days, and doubtless several in later times who have 
not been named among the trading fraternity. It is quite 
probable that about the year 1804, "Master Chase" had a 
small stock of dry goods and groceries at the Centre, and that 
after a year or more he was succeeded by Joseph Adams, Jr. 

PUBLIC HOUSES. 

The first tavern in the town was erected by Andrew Petten- 
gill, at the South Road, prior to 1767, and for a number of 
years all meetings of a public nature were held at his house. 
In 1762, when a resident of Kingston, Mr. Pettengill pur- 
chased one hundred acres of land of Benjamin Sanborn, situ- 
ated near the location of the Academy, on which the tavern 
was built. He was succeeded in the management of the house 
by his brother, Capt. Matthew Pettengill. The old tavern site 
is now occupied by Thomas D. Little. 

Stephen Webster, son of Capt. John Webster, erected a 
long, two-story, framed house on the north side of the South 
Rangeway, afterwards the site of the hotel which for many 
years v/as kept there. It faced southward and had a door in 
each end. This was built not long after the erection of the 
Pettengill tavern, and it is claimed that it antedated it. This 
was not, however, probable. About the year 1795, he sold 
to Josiah Rogers, who built a one-story addition extending 
eastward. A second story to the ell was added, and when the 
Fourth New Hampshire Turnpike was built a north ell was 
also added. 

In 18 1 5, Lieut. Benjamin Pettengill left the homestead — the 
William Holmes place — and conducted the hotel. He was 
succeeded by Lyman Hawlcy, the well known stage proprietor,, 
who drove the eight white horses on the carriage conveying 
General Lafayette when he visited Concord in 1S25. True- 
worthy Oilman became his partner. The firm failed and Gil- 
man became a pauper, and eventually committed suicide by 
drowning in Greenough pond. Mr. Hawley subsequently went 



350 HISTORY OF- SALISBURY. 

to New York, and during a severe thunder shower was thrown 
from his carriage and killed. 

Samuel Allen followed Hawley & Oilman, in 1827. John 
Shepherd was the successor of Mr. Allen. Shepherd had a 
fancy for stage business, and bought in Concord the first stage 
coach made by Lewis Downing. He built the long stable con- 
nected with the place, and was followed in the management of 
the house by the Ainsworth Brothers. Col. John B. Smith 
run the hotel in 1836, and afterwards his brother Nathan took 
possession and conducted it for fifteen years. While Col. 
Smith had control, it was a temperance house, not only in 
name, but in every day practice. It was a novel act for a hotel 
keeper to rise in town meeting and advocate the prohibition 
of the sale of liquors, as Col. Smith was accustomed to do. 
The hotel was afterwards managed by Col. John C. Smith, now 
a prominent citizen of the town. During his possession of the 
place it was known to be a temperance house. It was early 
called the Rogers tavern, after its builder. More recently it 
bore the name of Elm House. It was destroyed by fire, July 
19, 1882. 

The first tavern at the Centre Village was built by Abel 
Elkins, in 1794, and is now occupied by Caleb E. Smith. It 
was located near where the pump stands, facing southerly. 
Mr. Elkins was an energetic and liberal citizen, and was one 
of the prime movers in building the Baptist Church. The land 
on which it was located, the burying ground, and the common, 
were given by him. 

Deacon Amos Pettingill erected the second hotel in this 
part of the town, on the lot where Daniel F. Searle resides. 

Benjamin Pettengill purchased the Reuben True place, in 
18 16, on the west side of the turnpike, and fitted it up for a 
hotel, which became extensively known as the "Bell Tavern." 
In its day, it was one of the best hotels in this section. One 
of the barns was 40x140 feet and another 40x40, and it was 
no unusual sight to see one hundred horses stabled at night 
and the house full of guests. Mr. Pettengill retired in 1836, 
and was succeeded by Ezra Austin, son of Edward Austin, of 
Boscawen. He rented the place for two years, when Moses 



MILLS, WORKSHOPS, STOKES AND HOTELS. 35 1 

C. Webster purchased it and for some years was its manager. 
Mr. Austin purchased the Deacon Amos Pettengill hotel 
stand and occupied it until 1840, when the hotel became a 
private residence. Mr. Austin moved to Franklin and took 
the hotel then owned by Joshua Heath. He continued there 
a few years, sold to O. B. Davis, removed to Illinois, and died. 
A public house is now kept in the Centre Village by Mr. Drew. 

Ensign Moses Garland built the house owned by Dennis 
Larden, near the centre of the town, between the South and 
Centre Villages. This was a rendezvous on occasions of regi- 
mental musters. 

Ebenezer Eastman built the first hotel at Republican Village, 
where the Webster House now stands. When the present 
house was built the old material was used. The house was 
well known for years under the management of O. B. Davis. 

Moore's hotel was of later date, situated further north and 
on the opposite side of the street. 

Col. Ebenezer Webster removed from his first framed house 
to the Lower Village in 1784 or 1785. He built a large two- 
story house on the corner facing south, and a two-story ell 
extending north into what is now G. B. Matthews's garden. 
This was the first tavern in that part of the town. In 1799, ^^ 
exchanged places with his son-in-law, William Haddock, who 
conducted a hotel for a little time and then leased it to Wil- 
liam Kimball Smith, in April, 1820. Smith was followed by 
Daniel Osgood, who sold it to Daniel Webster, in 1839. 

We have but a meagre history of William K. Smith. We 
are told by old citizens of the town that he had one son, born 
in Salisbury, who became conspicuous as a public speaker and 
lawyer, who subsequently became a revival preacher, and died 
not many years ago. He changed his name from Smith to 
Durant, and under the new name achieved wealth and honor. 
It was through his liberality that Wellesley College, for young 
ladies, was established. 

PUBLIC H.\LLS, ETC. 

The first public hall in town was over Major Stephen Boho- 
non's store. In was in this hall that Major Stephen Bohonon, 



352 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

nephew to Judge Webster, taught a dancing school. The fol- 
lowing humorous story is told in which Judge Webster had the 
major part: Having sorne business with his nephew, he found 
him teaching the young people to dance. He entered the hall 
where the dancing was going on, and, after waiting a short 
time, finished his business and returned home. Soon after the 
rumor was circulated that Judge Webster had been seen in a 
dancing hall. A member of the church entered a complaint, 
requiring satisfaction for this reproach. Parson Worcester 
suggested a written acknowledgment. Judge Webster replied 
that he would put nothing on file, but would make an ample 
confession before the congregation. Accordingly on the next 
Sabbath, after the forenoon services were closed, he rose in 
his place and said : "A few days since, I had some business 
with my nephew, Stephen Bohonon ; went up to his house, 
found him in the hall of the tavern, instructing the youth in 
dancing. They were in the midst of a dance when I entered 
the hall. I took a seat and waited until the dance was closed ; 
took the earliest opportunity to do my errand with Stephen ; 
found the young folks civil and orderly ; saw nothing improper. 
Now if, in all this, I have offended my Maker, brethren, I am 
sorry for it." 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



BENEFICENT INSTITUTIONS. 



" Think not the good, 
The gentle deeds of mercy thou hast done, 
Shall die forgotten all ; the poor, the pris'ner. 
The fatherless, the friendless, and the widow. 
Who daily own the bounty of thy hand. 
Shall cry to Heaven, and bring a blessing on thee.' 



SAM.\RITAN LODGE OF MASONS. 

Near the close of the last century there were in the town 
several members of the Masonic Order, though no lodge ex- 
isted nearer than Concord. With members from Andover, 
they were often seen at regular periods leaving their homes on 
horseback, on an afternoon, and returning the next day. It 
was at length discovered that they visited Concord to attend 
meetings of the lodge. Centre Lodge, No. 20, was organized 
in Sanbornton, in 1809, after which members of the order were 
accustomed to meet with brethren in that town. It is quite 
probable that meetings were sometimes held in town, at the 
residences of some of the members. As their membership 
increased, they applied to the Grand Lodge of New Hamp- 
shire for a dispensation, or charter, and in due time received 
the following answer : 

[SE.\L OF GRAND LODGE.] 

To all the Fraternity to whom these presents shall come. The Grand Lodge o 
the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of P'ree and Accepted .Masons for the 
.'^tate of New Hampshire sendeth Greeting. 



354 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Whereas, A Petition has been presented to us by Andrew Bowers, Israel W. 
Kelley, Samuel Brown and others, all Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, pray- 
ing that they, with such others as shall hereafter join them, may be erected and 
constituted a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, which petition appear- 
ing to us as tending to the advancement of Masonry and the good of the Craft. 

Know ye therefore that we, the Grand Lodge aforesaid, reposing special trust 
and confidence in the prudence and fidelity of our beloved Brethren, above men- 
tioned, have constituted and appointed, and by these presents do constitute and 
appoint them, the said Andrew Bowers, Israel W. Kelley, Samuel Brown and 
others, a Regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, under the title and desig- 
nation of Samaritan Lodge, No. 36. Hereby giving and granting unto them and 
their successors full power and authority to convene at Wilson's at the town of 
Salisbury in the County of Hillsborough and State aforesaid, to receive Entered 
Apprentices, pass Fellow Crafts, and raise Master Masons, upon the payment of 
such fees for the same as the regulations of the Grand Lodge do now, or may 
hereafter require. Also to make choice of Master, Wardens, and other officers 
annually or otherwise as they shall see cause, to receive and collect funds for the 
relief of poor and distressed brethren, their widows or children, and in general to 
transact all matters relating to Masonry, which may to them appear to be for the 
good of the Craft according to the ancient usages and customs of Masons. 

And we do hereby require the said constituted Brethren to attend the meetings 
of the Grand Lodge by their Master and Wardens, or by proxies regularly ap- 
pointed. Also to keep a fair and regular record of all their proceedings and lay 
them before the Grand Lodge when required. 

And we do enjoin upon our brethren of the said Lodge that they be punctual 
in the payment of such sums as may be assessed for the support of the Grand 
Lodge, that they behave respectfully and obediently towards their superiors in 
otifice, and in all other respects conduct as good Masons. And we do hereby 
declare the proceedings of the said Lodge in the Grand Lodge and elsewhere to 
commence from the date hereof. 

In testimonv whereof. We, the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and 
Grand Wardens, by the power and authority to us committed have hereunto set 
our hands and caused the Seal of the Grand Lodge to be afti.xed at Concord, this 
14th day of Tune, A. L. 5821. 

JOSHUA DARLING, Grand Master. 
SAMUEL LARKIN, DeptUy Grand Master. 
ANDRE\V PEIRCE, Senior Grattd Wardeji. 
FRED A. SUMNER, Junior Grand Warden. 

Attest: 

THOMAS BEEDE, 

Grand Secretary. 

No record of the organization of Samaritan Lodge can be 
found, but its membership has been ascertained, and it in- 
cluded the most active business men of that day in the town. 

The following residents of Salisbury received the degrees in 
this lodge: Andrew Bohonon, Edward West, John Greeley, 



BENEFICENT INSTITUTIONS. 355 

Samuel I. Wells, John Townsend, Thomas R. Greenleaf, William 
C. Thompson, James B. McGregory, Timothy Taylor, Moses 
West, John T. Hale (first degree), Francis S. Greenleaf. 

Ithamar Watson, a resident of Salisbury, received the de- 
grees in Warner Lodge, No. 35, in 18 19; was Secretary in 
1830-34-38-39-44; Senior Warden, 1832 ; Master in 1833-36- 
37-41-44-46-47-48. Joseph True, also a resident of Salisbury, 
received the degrees in 1821, and continued a member till 1830, 
in the same lodge. Nathaniel Thurston received one degree 
in 1819. Edmund Baker received the degrees in 1821, but does 
not appear as a member. Daniel Watson received the third 
degree in 1834; held minor offices and was Junior Warden in 
1836-37; Master in 1839. 

In Centre Lodge, No. 20, Sanbornton Square, John P. 
Sweat received the first degree in 181 3 ; Jacob Trussell re- 
ceived the first degree in 181 5 ; Jonathan Proctor received the 
first degree in 1815 ; but their names do not appear afterwards. 

In Blazing Star Lodge, No. 11, Concord, Andrew Bowers 
received the degrees in 1799, and was elected Master the same 
year; dimitted August 7, 1822. Zaccheus Colby received the 
degrees in 1801 ; Joseph Bartlett in 1806; Stephen Webster 
in 1809. Samuel C. Bartlett was elected to membership, in 
1807, in Blazing Star Lodge, Concord; dimitted to Samaritan 
Lodge, August 7, 1821 ; and was one of its leading members 
till it became e.xtinct during the "dark ages." He furnished 
the silver coin for the jewels of King Solomon's Lodge. Ste- 
phen Morse received the first degree in Warner Lodge, No. 
35, at Warner, June 5, 1822 ; passed Fellow Craft, in Samari- 
tan Lodge, at Salisbury, September 30, 1822; was raised to 
the degree of Master Mason in said lodge, November 25, 1822 ; 
and was returned by said Warner Lodge as a member thereof 
in its returns to the Grand Lodge, April 15, 1824. 

From other sources we have the following : Samuel C. l^art- 
lett, Cyrus Gookin, David Carter Gookin, Garland Calef, Dea- 
con Peter Stone, and Stephen Morse were members of Samari- 
tan Lodge at the time it lost its charter by forfeiture and were 
among the petitioners for Kearsarge Lodge, No. 81, at Andover 
Centre, April 16, 1866. 



356 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

During the "dark ages" the public feeling was so strong 
against Freemasons that they were frequently assaulted on the 
street. Raids were made upon their lodge rooms and their 
furniture seized by force and burned. The records of Samari- 
tan Lodge were taken by a few of the members and secretly 
buried. For some years it was impossible to hold regular 
meetings. The lodge made its last return to the Grand Lodge, 
June ID, 1828, although it appears to have kept up an organiza- 
tion until 1830, perhaps later. In 1838 or 1839, ^ member of 
the lodge wrote the District Deputy Grand Master that the 
charter, furniture, etc., had been lost. Samaritan Lodge was 
stricken from the roll and its charter declared forfeited, June 
9, 1840. 

The meetings of the lodge were held in the hall over the old 
** Williams store " at the Centre Road, now owned by Dana J. 
Mann, and in the hall fitted up for that purpose over Thomas 
R. Greenleaf's hatter's shop, which stood just north of Nathan 
Kilburn's dwelling. It was afterwards moved to its present 
location and occupied by Deacon T. D. Little as a shop. The 
building was familiarly called "Freemasons Hall." It was 
drawn from the spot where it stood by sixty yoke of the 
largest cattle that could be collected in Salisbury and the 
adjoining towns. There were four strings of fifteen yoke each. 

For the following notes we are indebted to Nathan Wood- 
bury, Secretary of Kearsarge Lodge, No. 81, Andover Centre: 
"The petition was signed by John Elliott, Jr., Samuel C. Bart- 
lett, William Little, Josiah B. True, John Woodbury (Andover), 
Dudley Ladd, Samuel Cilley (Andever), and Israel W. Kelley. 
The officers for the first year (5821) were: Andrew Bowers, 
Master ; Israel W. Kelley, Senior Warden ; Samuel Brown, 
Junior Warden; William Little, Treasurer; Samuel C. Bartlett, 
Secretary ; John Woodbury, Senior Deacon ; John Elliott, 
Junior Deacon ; Josiah B. True, James Severance, Stewards ; 
Joseph Cilley, Tyler." This is shown by the records of his lodge. 

In a return to the Grand Lodge, dated June 3d, 5822, and 
signed, Samuel C. Bartlett, Secretary, we find the above offi- 
cers chosen for that year, (1822), with the following note: 



BENEFICENT INSTITUTIONS. 357 

" Thomas Beal, Edward Baker, Samuel Cilley (Andover), 
Enoch Morrill, Jeremiah Marston (Andover), Elijah Hilton 
(Andover), Leonard W, Noyes, Otis Robinson, Jr., members." 

The following officers are recorded for 1823 and subse- 
quently: 1823. — Israel W. Kelley, Master; Samuel Brown, 
Austin George, Wardens ; John Townsend, Secretary. 1824- 
25. — Samuel Brown, Master ; John Townsend, Secretary. 1826. 
— Thomas R. White, Master ; John Townsend, Secretary. 
1827. — Peter Stone, Master ; John Townsend, Secretary. 

Mr. Garland Calef, at the age of eighty-one years, re- 
members as Masters of the lodge, Andrew Bowers, Israel W. 
Kelley, Samuel Brown (Andover), Thomas R. White, and 
Peter Stone ; as Secretaries, John Townsend, Thomas Green- 
leaf, James Severance, and Samuel C. Bartlett ; and also as 
members in addition to those previously named, Pelatiah 
Gookin, Lemuel Call, Royal Hale, John Elliott, Joseph Morse, 
and Paul Pearsons, all of Boscawen. 

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. 

The "Salisbury Sacred Musick Society'' was incorporated in 
June, 1808, and had a continuous and prosperous career for 
nearly twenty-five years. Andrew Bowers was President ; Is- 
rael W. Kelley, Vice President ; Samuel I. Wells, Secretary ; 
and John White, Treasurer. Jeremy Webster, ( the grand- 
father of J. Frank Webster, of Concord,) and Abial Wardwell 
were for many years choristers. Wardwell was a singing 
master. The society had a large choir and an accompaniment 
of stringed and wind instruments. Their music was mostly 
sacred. 

THE TEMPERANCE CAUSE. 

Early in the history of the temperance movement, Salisbury 
had many citizens who were earnest in the work. Her clergy- 
men were among the foremost ones, and even her hotel 
keepers at times were consistent members of temperance or- 
ganizations. With rare exceptions, the town has been noted for 



358 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

its temperance principles, and has seldom suffered in its repu- 
tation from the sale of intoxicating liquors within its borders. 

FIRE ENGINE COMPANY. 

In March, 1844, a fire engine company was formed, with 
John C, Smith as captain. It had twenty-two members. The 
engine was made in the town and was capable of doing good 
work. At one time it ran to a fire in a barn, three-fourths of 
a mile away, and was the means of saving the house from 
destruction. The company was sustained until about six years 
ago. 

SUNDAY SCHOOLS. 

These institutions have been sustained for many years, the 
first of which we have an account being instituted in 1827, 
They have generally been maintained in connection with the 
churches and in several of the district school houses. 

farmers' club. 

A Farmers' Club has been maintained for several years, con- 
sisting of about eighty members. Many meetings have been 
held at private houses and in public places. The papers which 
have been read have been of a practical and meritorious char- 
acter, and the discussions have created much interest. Ladies, 
as well as gentlemen, are eligible to membership and its usual 
work. The President at this date is D. C. Stevens. 

patrons of HUSBANDRY. 

Bartlett Grange, No. 104, was formed in November, 1884, 
with thirty-one charter members. It numbers at this date, 
May 8th, 1885, forty-four members. John C. Smith is the 
Master and Thomas D. Little, Secretary. 

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. 

Pingree Post, No. 84, was organized in January, 1885, 
with sixteen charter members, Amos Chapman, Commander. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



THE TOWN HOUSE AND POUNDS. 

Go cut down trees in the forests, 

.-Ynd trim the straightest boughs 
Cut down trees in the forest, 

And build me a wooden house. 
And here in the pine /o~vn-house 

They shall choose men to rule 
In every needful faculty, 

In town, and state, and school. 

The early town meetings were held at various places in the 
town ; first at Andrew Pettengill's tavern, then at Matthew 
Pettengill's. They were sometimes held at the old meeting 
house on Searle's Hill ; subsequently at the South Road and 
at the Centre Road meeting houses. The minor business 
meetings were held at the public houses, with which the town 
was well supplied. 

A special meeting was held at the house of Moses C. Web- 
ster, June 4, 1839, "to see what the town will do in regard to 
building, or providing some suitable place for a Town House." 

Voted, " That we build a town house and that the Select- 
men examine the state of the town, and locate the house where 
it shall accommodate the whole town." 

Two days later a petition was widely circulated, and, bearing 
the names of eighty persons, was presented to the selectmen 
to call a town meeting to take further action in relation to 
locating the house. The signers of the petition desired that 
the location be at the South Road, and that it be built by a 
special committee chosen for that purpose. They pledged 



360 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

$200 towards meeting the expenses, provided the house be 
located where they should indicate. 

The meeting was held at Moses C. Webster's, June 27, 1839. 
Col. True George was chosen moderator. It was again voted 
" to build a town house." 

The third article in the warrant was "to see if the town will 
vote to locate said house at the South Road Village, by a com- 
mittee to be raised for that purpose, provided $200 towards 
building the same shall be guaranteed said committee to be 
paid by individuals." On this question, the vote was in in 
the affirmative and 121 in the negative. 

On the motion to accept the report of the selectmen, 1 14 
voted in the affirmative and 104 in the negative. 

The report was as follov/s : 

We, the subscribers, do hereby certify that we have measured and noted the 
distance of each voter, separately, in ten out of the eleven school districts, and 
have estimated the rest according to the best of our abilities, and find that the 
whole of the inhabitants can assemble together on the turnpike thirty-three rods 
southeast from Samuel C. Bartlett's store, with less travel, making it more equal 
for the different parts of the town than any other place on the travelled road. 

CYRUS GOOKIN, ) Selectmen 
N. D. HUNTOON, [ of 

H. F. STEVENS, ) Salisbury. 

Moved, " That the above report be amended by striking out 
the place designated by the selectmen and substituting 'the 
Centre Road Common.' " The amendment was carried. 

It was voted that the selectmen be authorized, as a com- 
mittee, to locate the town house on the Centre Road common, 
according to the vote just passed; that they be authorized to 
build the same before the second Tuesday in March next. 

The house was built according to direction and was first 
used at the spring election of 1840. It is a one-story building, 
about 30x36 feet. The land on which it is located was owned 
by Abel Elkins, who, for a mere nominal consideration, gave 
the land south of the highway and north of the fence for the 
location of the house and the common where the church stands. 
This was done prior to the building of the Baptist church. 



THE TOWN HOUSE AND POUNDS. 36I 

It order to secure proper accommodations, the town bought 
small parcels of Thomas H. Pettengill, Reuben Fifield, Suel 
Fifield, Polly Gate, Moses C. Webster, John Fifield, I. N. Saw- 
yer, Lydia Batchelder, and Polly Pettengill, they being heirs- 
at-law and assignees of the original proprietor of the common, 
for the consideration of one dollar each. The deeds of these 
parties, acknowledged before Samuel C. Bartlett, Justice of the 
Peace, convey so much of the common, on said Centre road, 
near the Baptist meeting house in said Salisbury, as may be 
sufficient to set a town house on, the same to be located 
thereon by the selectmen of said town, reserving the privilege 
of passing to, from, and around the same when necessary. The 
deed bore date of July 12, 1839. 

The foundation and underpinning of the building were laid 
by Moses C. Webster. Horatio N. Harvey, of Fisherville, by 
contract, erected the house. The town books of expenses for 
the year 1839 have this item: " December 27. Paid Horatio 
N. Harvey's bill, $1,025.97." 

The house still remains in good condition, and is used for 
various public meetings besides those pertaining to town affairs. 

POUNDS. 

The first pound established in the town was in a portion of 
Benjamin Sanborn's barn, at the Lower Village, and Daniel 
Bean was the first pound-keeper. 

In 1787, the selectmen were instructed by the legal voters 
to build a pound, " in the same manner as the highway ta.\ is 
worked out," and that year a pound was built near Ebenezer 
Eastman's. This was in the east section of the town, near 
Eastman's or Pemigewasset Falls. 

In 1794, it was "voted to build a sufficient pound on the 
hill near Ensign Moses Garland's ; that said pound be built 
with good and sufficient posts and rails." 

"Voted, That it be 32 feet square." 

"Voted, That the selectmen be a committee to build said 
pound." 



362 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Ensign Moses Garland was the first pound-keeper in his sec- 
tion of the town. He was succeeded by his son, who was 
followed by Levi Morrill. 

Early in this century the pound went to decay, and a stone 
pound, still used, was erected in 18 19. The site was purchased 
of Moses Garland for $200. 



CHAPTER XXVI 



THE ALMSHOUSE. 



"Speak gently, kindly to the poor, 
Let no harsh term be heard ; 
They have enough they must endure 
Without one unkind word." 



For many years after the settlement of the town, Salisbury 
was not burdened to maintain paupers. The settlers were men 
in the vigor of life, and were able " to keep the wolf from the 
door." In case of sickness, or accident, or loss of property, 
individual assistance was usually promptly rendered. It was 
in accordance with custom and law for the officers to "warn" 
away such persons as came into their towns without having 
some occupation or the means of self support, and thus by 
anticipation save the expense which their own inability to 
obtain a living might occasion. Salisbury seldom, if ever, exer- 
cised this right. But she had no paupers for a half century 
after the settlement of some parts of her territory. When it 
became necessary to grant assistance beyond that requisite to 
meet temporary or occasional wants, special provision was 
made by the selectmen or by vote of the town. The usual 
course was to board the poor with those reliable citizens, who, 
in addition to the labor which they could perform, would take 
them for the smallest amount of money. This was generally 
determined at the annual town meeting by a "vendue." The 
successful bidder, on his part, was to take the paupers from 



364 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

their homes or previous places of residence, "furnish them 
with the necessary meat and drink, washing and lodging, rum 
and tobacco," while the town would provide clothing and such 
other aid as was especially stipulated. 

This was the practice in Salisbury, with possibly an occas- 
ional exception, up to the year 1831. 

In 181 2, at the annual meeting, it was voted "that the town 
procure a suitable house for the poor of said town, and that all 
the poor, who are chargeable to the town, be supported in said 
house the present season." 

It does not appear from any record or report that such a 
house was provided, nor that any bills were paid for the sup- 
port of the poor therein. But the next year it was voted "that 
the selectmen shall vendue the poor of the town to the lowest 
bidder." 

Voted "to choose a committee to draft Bye Laws and Reg- 
ulations to govern the poor of the town." Chose Major Jabez 
Smith, Capt. Joel Eastman, Moses Eastman, Andrew Bowers, 
Richard Fletcher, and Parker Noyes, Esquires. 

We are not able to ascertain what action the committee or 
the town took, as there is no record. It is evident that the 
old course was pursued with regard to the few paupers in the 
town, until 1831, when it was voted "to choose a committee 
to inform themselves concerning the support of the poor on a 
farm, and how they can purchase a farm, farming utensils and 
stock, and consider all expenses attending the same, and re- 
port at some future time." Chose Matthew P. Webster, Dr. 
Peter Bartlett, Thomas H. Pettengill, Esq., Benjamin Petten- 
gill, 2d, Thomas Chase and Isaac Sawyer. 

April 1 2th, 1 83 1, the committee reported in writing as 
follows : 



Your Committee are of the opinion that the measures heretofore pursued by the 
town to support their poor have proved expensive and have had an immoral tendency. 
From the best estimate they have been able to make the expenses for the last 30 
years to the town, for the support of paupers, have not been less than Eighteen 
Thousand dollars. * * * The Committee are of the opinion that the 
cheapest and best method of supporting the poor is upon a farm, and this Com- 



THE ALMSHOUSE. 365 

mittee have come to this result by enquiries made of other towns who have estab- 
lishments of their own. Your Committee therefore recommend that the town 
immediately purchase and put in operation such an establishment for the future 
support of the poor, and that said poor-house be used not only as an asylum for the 
poor but for a house of Correction for the Idle and dissolute. They also recom- 
mend that a portion of the town funds be appropriated to purchase said farm, stock 
and tools, that a committee be chosen to purchase the same, and that the Selectmen 
for the present year be authorized to take a Deed in their names for and in behalf 
of the town of such farm and buildings as the said Committee may bargain for, and 
also that said Selectmen be authorized to employ a proper person to take charge of 
said poor-house and to carry on said farm the present year, and that said .Selectmen 
be the overseers of said poor-house and farm, and render an account of the doings 
and of the e.xpenditures about said house and farm, also for the support of the poor 
at the next annual meeting. 

( Signed by the Committee.) 



Voted, "That so much of the report of the committee as 
relates to the purchase of a farm be accepted." 

Voted, " That the Selectmen are instructed to purchase a 
farm for the use of the town, at any time within the year, leav- 
ing it to their discretion to embrace the first opportunity which 
will in their opinion promote the best interest of the town." 

Resolved, "That the selectmen be authorized to take and 
appropriate the school fund and Literary funds of said town to 
purchase said farm, stock and tools, and that the town be 
accountable for the annual interest of said funds in the same 
manner said interest is now appropriated." 

The resolution was adopted. 

Voted, "That the Selectmen be instructed to appropriate so 
much of the Parsonage fund as shall be found wanting to carry 
into effect the aforesaid establishment for supporting the poor, 
after making use of the school fund and literary fund as afore- 
said." 

Voted, "That the house which the Selectmen shall purchase 
for the use of the town be used as a house of correction for 
Idle and disorderly persons." 

Voted, "That Thomas H. Pettengill and Samuel I. Wells, 
Esquires, be a Committee to draft rules and regulations for 
the order, Government and discipline of the poor house in con- 
templation." 



366 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

April 1 8, 1 83 1, agreeably to the instructions, the select- 
men purchased the farm containing about one hundred and fifty 
acres, of Daniel Kent, paying ^1,850. The stock and tools cost 
1^672.20. Enoch Fifield and wife were employed to take 
charge of the house and farm. In the year 1830, it had cost 
the town ^395.60 to support its poor. In the year 1832, the 
expenses dropped to $191.61, and for the year ending March i, 
1836, the expenses were $389.08. 

This system of supporting the poor was continued for more 
than thirty years. 

March 13, 1866, the town voted "to sell the Pauper farm 
and the personal property connected therewith, and that the 
Selectmen be authorized to sell the same when in their judg- 
ment it shall be for the interest of the town, said sale to be 
made within one year." 

The lumber, wood, and some personal property were sold at 
auction. The real estate was purchased by Roland R. Kelley, 
and is now owned and occupied by — Cook. The whole prop- 
erty sold for nearly as much as the original cost. The proceeds 
of the sale were used in the liquidation of the town debt. 

Since the sale of the farm, some of the poor requiring assist- 
ance have been taken to the county farm, according to statute 
provision. The few persons remaining who require assistance 
have been supported by friends at low rates, and the town has 
granted satisfactory remuneration. 



CHAPTER XXVII 



THE CEMETERIES. 



"I count the old familiar names, 

O'ergrown with moss and lichen gray, 
Where tangled briar and creeping vine 

Across the trembling tablets stray." 

Formerly the dead were buried about the church where 
they worshipped or in some retired place on the home lot ; 
but as times changed this was gradually done away with. 
As there is almost nothing else so deeply interesting to the 
living as the disposal of the remains of those whom they have 
loved and lost, so there is perhaps nothing so indicative of the 
condition and character of a people as the method in which 
they bury their dead. 

The first interment within the limits of Salisbury was at the 
Lower Village and was that of the remains of four soldiers who 
died as early as 1754, at the old Salisbury fort. It is supposed 
that the wife of Philip Call was buried here. But the oldest 
record of a death is found on a native, rough stone, nearly 
buried in the ground. The inscription appears to be "Aaron 
Settle Collins, April 5, 1764." He resided on the east side of 
the river (Canterbury) in what is now Northfield. This yard 
contains a large number of unmarked graves. Many of our 
first settlers located in this vicinity, and, without doubt, were 
buried here. Here is the resting place of some of the ances- 
tors of Daniel Webster, although it is said that Ebenezer 



368 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Webster's first two children were buried near the log cabin, or 
by his first wife, on Searle's Hill. Here are the graves of the 
departed children of Thomas W. Thompson, and a slab bears 
the following inscription, which assures us of the kindness of 
one of Salisbury's most eminent men : 

IN MEMORY 
OF 

SILVIA MARCY KIMBALL 

A FAITHFULL BLACK SERVANT 

IN THE FAMILY 

OF 

THOMAS W. THOMPSON. 

She d. Dec. 28, 1800, 
in the i4th year of her age. 

The second graveyard in age, named for the donor of the 
land, is situated near Union meeting house in the west part of 
the town. Sinkler Bean gave the land, provided the people 
would clear it up, fence it, and give him the space in the yard 
south of the gate, which is used by the Bean family. The 
Maloons are buried at the right hand, just as one enters the 
gate from the east. They are buried near the eastern wall. 
No stone marks the resting place of this, the second family in 
town. 

On the completion of the first church, land east and south 
of the building was used as a burying-ground for many years 
and was known as Searle's Hill graveyard. On the removal 
of the church to the South Road, and the opening of other 
grounds, this became one of the things of the past. The 
stones were removed, the ground plowed, and hardly a vestige 
of the burial place remains. 

The land for the cemetery at the South Road was given by 
Capt. John Webster, and was originally about one-half of an 
acre. An addition was made on the north in 1879. The old- 
est stone is erected to the memory of Nathaniel Huntoon, who 
died October 19, 1784. Capt. John Webster's stone bears this 
inscription : 

" Let me not forgotten lie, 
Lest you forget that you must die." 



THE CEMETERIES. 369 

Four ministers, several of the deacons of the Congregational 
church, the Bartletts, the Websters, the Beans, the Calefs, and! 
many former residents of the South Road, are buried in this, 
ground. 

The Centre Road, or Baptist cemetery, was laid out at the 
time of the building of the church, in 1791. Previous to that 
time, the people in this neighborhood buried their dead in the- 
field east of F. W. Fifield's house. The land was given by 
Abel Elkins. The oldest stone is that of Rhoda, wife of 
Reuben True, and daughter of Gov. Josiah Bartlett, 1794. 
Here are buried the Sawyers, Fifields, Pettengills, Websters 
and Adamses. The ground is now much neglected and over- 
grown with weeds. 

The cemetery connected with the Congregational church, in 
what is now Franklin, was given by Ebenezer Eastman. Many 
bodies were formerly interred here, but they have been taken 
up and removed to the cemetery on the east side of the river. 
The first body buried here was a child of Joseph Chapman, who 
worked for Eli Bootman. This child was drowned, and buried 
June 18, 1815. 

The Stevens burying-ground came from the farm of Daniel 
Stevens, who, for the consideration of $1.00, sold the land to 
his surrounding neighbors. The oldest stone is that of Ann, 
wife of John Challis, Jr., who died May 6, 1807. 

The Watson yard is situated in the Watson district, near the 
Warner line. 

The Calef yard is situated on the Bog road. The land was 
given by John Calef, son of William, and grandson of the first 
William. Like other yards, it was fenced by the families who 
buried in it. The first person buried there was John Taylor^ 
who died May i, 1826. 

The Pingree yard was given by William Pingree, Sr., with 
the proviso that he was to have the north front lot and his son 
Stephen the south front lot. It was fenced by the neighbors, 
and, in 1880, an addition on the south was made by John Hun- 
toon, since deceased. The yard is pleasantly situated, well 
fenced, and the grounds kept in good condition. In 1826, a 
24 



370 HISTORV OF SALISBURY. 

-grave was robbed in this yard, and after that a watchhouse was 
erected in the enclosure. The first person buried was Mrs. 
Nancy Dunlap, who died in July, 1819. 

For Shaw's Corner yard the land was probably given by Col. 
John C. Gale. This is one of the old graveyards. The Rev. 
Mr. Searle was buried there, as the cemetery on the hill had 
been abandoned at the time of his death. It is said that the 
first person buried here was Hannah, a daughter of Dudley 
Palmer, who died February 22, 1784. 

The last public cemetery laid out, and by far the best located, 
is known as "Oak Hill Cemetery," situated on the road north 
from the Centre Road to Raccoon hill. It embraces two acres 
of land and was purchased of Benjamin Pettengill, in Novem- 
iber, 1868, by the following named gentlemen: 

Daniel F. Searle, Sanborn Shaw, Moses P. Thompson, 

•Stephen Morse, Oliver N. Tucker, Benjamin F. Shaw, 

Frederick C. Shaw, Hale P. Shaw, Eliphalet A. Shaw, 

Sylvester W. Green, Frederick S. Fifield, Stephen B. CoOmbs, 

Augustus C. Pettengill, Moses C. Webster, George Shaw, 

Warren W. Sleeper, John Shaw, Daniel Miller. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



TAX COLLECTORS AND MAGISTRATES. 

" Why tribute ? Why should we pay tribute ? 
If Caesar can hide the sun from us with a blanket, 
Or put the moon in his pocket, 
We'll pay him tribute for light; 
Else, sir, no more tribute." 

CONTINENTAL AND PROVINCIAL ASSESSMENTS. 

The provincial or State tax for several years was as follows, 
as per receipts in the possession of Mr. Nesmith : 

In 1769, the first tax after the incorporation of the town was 
twelve pounds, three shillings ; 1771, ten pounds, two shillings ; 
1774, four pounds, sixteen shillings; 1777, two hundred and 
sixty-eight pounds, six shillings and sixpence. 

We find also the following record of money raised: 

September 28, 1775, the Colonial Congress raised four thous- 
and pounds, 1. ni., Salisbury's portion being ^^19, 4s. 

March 22, 1779, ^ ^'^^ ^^^^ ordered for the continental army, 
of two hundred and fifty thousand pounds, .Salisbury's propor- 
tion being ;^ioo6, $s. Also one hundred thousand pounds for 
the State, of which Salisbury's proportion was jCGyo, is. yi. 

June, 1779, the General Court raised four hundred and fifty 
thousand pounds for the army, Salisbury's proportion of jQ-i,o\S, 
i$s., to be paid in continental bills. 

March 15, 1780, the General Court raised two millions one 
hundred and sixty thousand pounds, 1. m., of which Salisbury's 
proportion was ^17,820. 

In 1783 the State tax was fifty-five thousand pounds, Salis- 
bury's proportion being ;i£,453, 15^. 



372 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



INVENTORY FOOTINGS, 1 782. 

No. of acres of orchard land, 13 Harvest cattle, 3 years old 155 

Tillage 202 " " 2 years old 134 

Mowing 1033 " " I year old 88 

Pasturage 1277 Yearly rent of mills, repairs de- 
No. of horses and mares 71 ducted p^ 3° 

Oxen 167 Money on hand and at interest. . . ;^ioo 

Cows 291 

INVENTORY FOR I783. 

The Selectmen say no changes have been made in value for 
four years, except correction of errors and transfers of property 
which had chansred hands : 



No. of acres of orchard land . 

Tillage 

Mowing 

Pasturage 

No. of horses and mares .... 
Oxen 



i-jyi No. of Cows 292 

297 Horses and cattle 3 years old.... 121 

1201 " " 2 years old.... 166 

1502 " " I year old 204 

93 Yearly rent of mills, deducting re- 

184 pairs £ Z^ 



Total of all real estate not enumerated before and owned by inhabitants, £t^i i 



Total value of all real estate not owned by the inhabitants, 
Total of money in hand or at interest. 
The ratable estate in 1792 was, 
" " 1809 " 

" 1823 " 

1838 " 
1873 " 

HIGHWAY TAX, I78O. 



465 



2510 
170 

6.f. 8</. 
$2013 49 
2173 99 
2757 07 
7984 25 



The highway tax on the whole town, for the year 1780, with 
the amount against each person, is given in dollars only. It 
will be observed that these taxes are very high, but it was dur- 
ing the revolutionary war, and the dollars were worth only 
about a third of a silver dollar : 



Edward Evans, 


$38 00 


Ebenezer Johnson, 


I58 00 


George Bayley, 


13 00 


Simeon Chote, 


12 00 


John IJayley, 


58 00 


Joseph Bartlett, 


24 00 


Robert Barber, 


70 00 


Lt. William Calef, 


103 00 


Ezekiel Roberts, 


12 00 


Israel Webster, 


57 00 


Peter Severance, 


107 00 


*Ens. Andrew Bohonon, 


53 00 



TAXES, MAGISTRATES, ETC. 



373 



*Esq. Joseph Bean, $189 00 

♦Leonard Judkins, 50 00 

Capt. Matthew Pettengill, 112 00 

Benjamin Baker, 10 00 

Nicholas Colby, 12 00 

Reuben Iloit, 15 00 

Willard Peterson, 55 00 

Capt. John Webster, 112 00 

♦Stephen Webster, 21 00 

*Ens. John Webster, 105 00 

John Sweat, 12 00 

Ephraim Colby, 37 co 

Dea. John Collins, 58 00 

Zachariah Colby, 38 00 

David Hall, 20 00 

♦John F'ellows, 62 00 

♦Jeremiah Webster, 48 00 

Cutting Stevens, 41 00 

David Pettengill, t8 00 

Ens. Joseph P'ifield, 68 00 

♦Shubael Greeley, 65 00 

♦Nehemiah Heath, 48 00 

♦Job Heath, 46 00 

Benjamin Greeley, 37 00 

James Hazard, 10 00 

John Smith, 19 00 

Benjamin Greeley, Jr., 61 00 

Benjamin Sanborn, 36 00 

John Challis, 27 00 

Moses Sawyer, 21 00 

Parker Carr, 45 00 

John Hoyt, 17 00 

Elder Sinkler P)ean, 72 00 

Phineas Bean, 28 00 

Nathaniel Meloon, 68 00 

Joseph Meloon, 16 00 

Nathaniel Meloon, Jr., 64 00 

Ezra Tucker, 39 00 

Ebenezer Tucker, 17 00 

Obadiah Peters Fifield, 22 00 

Iddo Scribner, 26 00 

John Bean, 24 00 

PMward Scribner, Jr., 36 00 

Jonathan h'ostcr, 12 00 

Hezekiah Foster, 34 00 

Benaiah Bean, 40 00 

Benjamin Fifield, 10 co 
* Highway Taut, 1791. 



Joseph Mason, $20 00 

Edward Scribner, 28 00 

.Samuel Loverin, 20 00 

Daniel Stevens, 28 00 

William Eastman, 24 00 

Ananiah Bohonon, 27 00 

Abraham Fifield, 30 00 

Richard Piermont, 37 CX3 

Jeremiah Roberts, 14 00 

Jonathan Huntoon, 1 1 00 

Samuel Bean, 25 00 

Capt. Benjamin Pettengill, 137 00 

Benjamin Pettengill, Jr., 23 0° 

Jonathan Fifield, 144 00 

Elias Elkins, 89 00 

Jonathan Cram, 49 00 

Moses Woodman, 45 00 

Moses Garland, 44 00 

Edward Fifield, 35 00 

Daniel Brottlebank, 47 00 

Jacob Garland, 30 00 

Moses Lang, 14 00 

Samuel Pillsbury, 23 00 

Benjamin Webster, 20 00 

Jacob Bohonon, 24 00 

William Webster, 37 00 

Ebenezer Webster, 49 00 

Andrew Bohonon, 14 00 

William Searle, 20 00 

Charles Hilton, 10 00 

John Pierson, 26 00 

John Fifield, 109 00 

Samuel Scribner, 72 00 

William Newton, 79 00 

Joseph French, 89 00 

Moses Elkins, 18 00 

Jacob Cochran, 42 OO 

John C. Gale, 92 00 

Lt. Joseph Severance, 30 00 

Moses Silly, 47 00 

Gideon Dow, 39 00 

Daniel Lovell, 38 00 

John Clement, 23 00 

Peter Eastman, 12 00 

John Bowen, 85 00 

Lt. Robert Smith, 123 00 

Jacob True, 5' ^^ 



374 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



Lt. Joseph Basford, $15 oo 

Benjamin Basford, 25 co 

John Farnham, 19 00 

Stephen Cross, 21 00 

Enoch Bartlett, 19 00 

Nathan Webster, 14 00 

Tristram Quimby, 14 00 

Dudley Palmer, 24 00 

Abial Tandy, 38 00 

Richard Greenough, 7 00 

Rowell Colby, 10 00 

Robert W. Smith, 14 00 

Jonathan Roberts, 23 00 

Elder Benjamin Huntoon, 93 00 

Daniel Huntoon, 21 00 

James Lovell, 38 00 

Robert Fowler, 12 00 



William Kezer, $25 00 

Lemuel Kezer, 37 00 

Samuel French, of Kingston, 9 00 

Jabez Morrill, of Andover, . 5 00 

Moses Clough, of Andover, 4 00 

Edward Eastman, 109 00 

Benjamin Sanborn, 109 00 

John Call, 48 00 

Ezekiel Heath, 17 00 

Simeon Sanborn, 18 00 

John Jameson, 28 00 

John Sanborn, 25 00 

Theophilus Runlett, 12 00 

Samuel D. Wadleigh, 28 00 

Joseph Bean, Jr., 13 00 

Benjamin Chote, 12 00 



The individuals named below were taxed on highways for 
1791: 



Joseph Harriman, 
Caleb Cushing, 
Capt. Luke Wilder, 
Andrew Bowers, 
Willard Peterson, 
David Currier, 
Joseph March, 



Ens. Joshua Taylor, 
Samuel Allen, 
Edward West, 
Thomas Chase, 
Bayley Chase, 
David Parker, 



Jesse Stevens, 
Lewis Morris, 
John Morris, 
Samuel Morris, 
Hazen Foster, 
Benjamin Howard. 



The following highway tax lists give the names of individual 
taxes in the South Road district for 1775 : 



Joseph Marston, 
Moses Sawyer, 
John Chellis, 
Benjamin Greeley, Jr., 
Reuben Greeley, 
William Eastman, 
Widow Greeley, 
Benjamin Greeley, 
Job Heath, 
Nehemiah Heath, 



Shubael Greeley, 
Israel Webster, 
Joseph Bartlett, M. D., 
Robert Barber, 
Jeremiah Webster, 
John Fellows, 
David Hall, 
Ephraim Colby, 
John Collins, 
Capt. John Webster, 



John Webster, Jr., 
Capt. Matthew Pettengill, 
Leonard Judkins, 
Ens. Andrew Bohonon, 
Joseph Bean, Esq., 
William Calef, 
Ebenezer Johnson, 
Andrew Pettengill, 
John Bayley. 



VARIOUS LOCALITIES. 



Ebenezer Clifford, 
Isaac Fitts, 



Ezekiel Fellows, 
John Kennedy, 



Joseph Loverin, 
Isaac Marston. 



TAXES, MAGISTRATES, ETC. 



375 



Highway taxpayers in the Centre Road district, west of the 
Blackwater, in 1789: 



William Eastman, 
Enos Challis, 
Jeremiah Roberts, 
Peter Eastman, 
Samuel Frazier, 
Benjamin Frazier, 
Samuel Elkins, 
Richard Elkins, 



Henjamin Pettengill, 
Samuel Bean, 
Joseph Severance, 
Jonathan Cram, 
Nathaniel Hean, 
Samuel Norris, 
John Farnham, 
Jacob Flanders, 



Abram Sanborn, 
Ananiah Bohonon, 
Abram Fifield, 
Elijah Wadleigh, 
Benjamin Wadleigh, 
Richard Greeley, 
David Pettengill. 



Highway taxpayers in South Road district, west of the Black- 
water river, 1790: 



Joseph Lufkin, 
Ens. Jonathan Young, 
Benaiah Bean, 
Elder Sinkler Bean, 
Lt. Thomas Bean, 
John Smith, 



Jonathan Foster, 
Joseph Meloon, 
Nathaniel Meloon, 
Matthew Greeley, 
Jacob Tucker, 
Ebenezer Tucker, 



John Couch, 
Caleb Watson, 
Abijah Watson, 
Ebenezer Quimby, 
Lt. Isaac Blaisdell. 



Highway taxpayers in Raccoon hill district, in 1797, with the 
amounts assessed: 



Peter Whittemore, 


$5 62 


Peter Sweatt, 


^3 30 


0. Lowell, 


5 71 


Winthrop Sanborn, 


4 22- 


William Kezer, 


4 46 


James Randall, 


17 


Samuel Richardson, 


Si 


Moses Silley, 


4 40' 


Robert Fowler, 


90 


Samuel French, 


2 93 


Nehemiah Lovell, 


2 78 


Joseph Severance, 


5 01 


David Lovell, 


5 07 


John T.iylor, 


' 05 


Joseph Sweatt, 


362 


Estate of N. Huntoon, 


> 47 




COLLECTORS. 





The following list embraces the names of the tax collectors^ 
and date of service, from the organization of the town : 

Shubael Greeley, 
Lieut. Andrew Pettengill, 
Capt. Ebenezer Webster, 
John Fifield, 
David Pettengill, 
Elder lienjamin lluntoon. 
Ens. John Webster, 
Edward Eastman, 



1768. 


Andrew Bohonon, 


1776. 


1769. 


Joseph Hean, 


1777. 


1770. 


Nathaniel Maloon, 


1778. 


I77I. 


Matthew Pettengill, 


'779- 


1772. 


Stephen Call, 


1780. 


•773- 


Robert Smith, 


1781. 


1774- 


William Calef, 


1782. 


1775- 


Ebenezer Johnson, 


'783- 



376 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



1784. 


Joseph French, 




1832. 


John L. Eaton, 


1785. 


Jonathan Fifield, 




1833- 


John L. Eaton, 


1786. 


William Newton, 




1834. 


John L. Eaton, 


1787. 


John Collins, 




1835- 


John L. Eaton, 


J 788. 


Leonard Judkins, 




1836. 


John L. Eaton, 


1789. 


Moses Garland, 




1837- 


John L. Eaton, 


1790. 


Jacob True, 




183S. 


Benjamin Pettengill, 2d, 


I79I. 


Benjamin Greeley, 




1839. 


John L. Eaton, 


1792. 


Nathaniel Meloon, , 




1S4O. 


Jesse Eaton, 


1793- 


Aquilla Pingrey, 




184I. 


Jesse Eaton, 


1794. 


John C. Gale, 




1842. 


John L. Eaton, 


1795- 


Lieut. Joseph French, 


1843. 


True George, 


1796. 


Ens. Moses Garland, 




1844. 


True George, 


1797- 


Joseph Fifield, Esq., 




1845. 


True George, 


1798. 


Aquilla Pingrey, 




1846. 


Moses Clement, 


1799. 


Phineas Bean, Esq., 




1847. 


Moses Clement, 


1800. 


Ephraim Colby, 




1848. 


Gilbert Eastman, 


1801. 


John Smith, 




1849. 


Gilbert Eastman, 


1802. 


Benjamin Whittemore, 


1850. 


Jesse Eaton, 


1803. 


Benjamin Pettengill, 3d, 


1851. 


Jesse Eaton, 


1804. 


Aquilla Pingrey, 




1852. 


Jesse Eaton, 


1805. 


Levi Morrill, 




1853- 


Jesse Eaton, 


i8o6. 


Onesiphorus Page, 




1854. 


Moses P. Thompson, 


J807. 


Aquilla Pingrey, 




1855- 


Moses P. Thompson, 


j8oS. 


Aquilla Pingrey, 




1856. 


John C. Smith, 


1809. 


Aquilla Pingrey, 




1857. 


John C. Smith, 


[i8io. 


Benjamin Pettengill, 




1858. 


Hiram Scribner, 


1811. 


Benjamin Pettengill, 




1859. 


Joseph S. French, 


.1812. 


Edward Quimby, 




i860. 


Joseph S. French, 


1813. 


Benjamin Pettengill, 


2d, 


I861. 


Hiram Scribner, 


1814. 


Samuel Greeley, 




1862. 


Hiram Scribner, 


1815. 


Samuel Greeley, 




1863. 


Hiram Scribner, 


1816. 


Samuel Greeley, 




1864. 


Gilman Moores, 


1817. 


Samuel Greeley, 




1865. 


Moses P. Thompson, 


1818. 


Benjamin Pettengill, 


2d, 


1866. 


Moses P. Thompson, 


1819. 


Benjamin Pettengill, 


2d, 


1867. 


John C. Smith, 


1820. 


Benjamin Pettengill, 


2d, 


1868. 


John C. Smith, 


1821. 


Benjamin Pettengill, 


2d. 


1869. 


John B. Dunlap, 


1822. 


Benjamin Pettengill, 


2d, 


1870. 


John B. Dunlap, 


1823. 


Benjamin Pettengill, 


2d, 


187I. 


John B. Dunlap, 


1824. 


Benjamin Pettengill, 


2d, 


1872. 


John B. Dunlap, 


1825. 


Benjamin Pettengill, 


2d, 


1873- 


John B. Dunlap, 


1826. 


Moses Greeley, 




1874- 


John B. Dunlap, 


1827. 


Moses Greeley, 




1875. 


John B. Dunlap, 


1828. 


Nathaniel Bean, 




1876. 


John B. Dunlap, 


1829. 


Moses Greeley, 




1877. 


Charles C. Rogers, 


1S30. 


Joshua T. Green, 




1878. 


Charles C. Rogers, 




True George, 




1879- 


Charles C. Rogers, 



TAXES, MAGISTRATES, ETC. 37/ 

1880. Charles C. Rogers, 1883. Daniel J. Calef, 

1881. Daniel J. Calef, 1884. Daniel J. Calef, 

1882. Daniel J. Calef. 1885. Daniel J. Calef. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

The first Justice of the Peace in Salisbury was Joseph Bean, 
who was commissioned by Gov. Wentworth. He was a resi- 
dent of Kingston, and was doubtless commissioned at once on 
going to Stevenstown. Each town was permitted to recom- 
mend the person they preferred for this office. At a legal 
meeting held at the meeting house on the 24th of May, 1779, 
it was voted "to have a justice of the peace in sd town." Dr. 
Joseph Bartlett was chosen for the same. He was appointed, 
and held the office until he died. He did justice business in 
this and the surrounding towns. 

From records at the state house, we have been able to obtain 
a complete list of the justices, the dates of their first and sub- 
sequent commissions. Most of them held their commissions 
through life or until their removal to other towns. 

Those marked with a * were Justices of the Peace and Quo- 
rum, and those marked with a f were limited to county juris- 
diction : 

Dr. Joseph Bartlett, May 24, 1779; Dec. 20, 1789; Jan. 3, 1795; Dec. 21, 1799. 
Col. Ebenezer Webster, Jan. 28, 1789; *June 19, 1790; June 12, 1795; Jan. 11, 

1800; June 14, 1805. 
Joseph P'ifield, Jan. 5, 1795; Dec. 21, 1799; Dec. 5, 1S04; Sept. 19, 1S09; Sept. 

29, 1S14. 
Andrew Bowers, Jan. 5, 1795; *Dec. 21, 1799; Dec. 5, 1S04; Sept. 19, 1S09; Sept. 

29, 1S14; June iS, 1S19; Aug. 4, 182S; Aug. 5, rS33. 
Phineas Bean, Jan. i, 1S02; Sept. 22, 1S06; Sept. 23, iSii; Sept. 19, 1S16; June 

29, 182 1. 
Thomas Thompson, Dec. i, 1796; Dec. 30, iSoi. Appointed County Solicitor, 

Feb. 22, 1802. 
John (iale, Dec. 28, 1805; Sept. 20, iSio. 
Moses Eastman, Dec. 21, 1805; Sept. 20, iSio; Sept. iS, 1S15; "June 20, 1S20; 

Aug. 6, 1838; Dec. 23, 1844. 
Thomas \V. Thompson, 'Sept. 22, 1806. 

Anthony Whitmore, Sept. 22, 1806; Sept. 23, iSii; Sept. 19, 1S16. 
Edward Blodgett, June 15, 1807; June 15, 1812; "June 14, 1S17. 
Parker Noyes, Sept. 21, 1807; Dec. 8, 181 2; May 15, 1818; •May 16, 1S23. 
Samuel Grecnleaf, Feb. 3, 1S12. 



37^ HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Samuel C. Bartlett, Jan. 25, 1815; June 20, 1S20; Aug. 4, 1828; Aug. 5, 1833; 

Aug. 6, 1838; Aug. 8, 1843; *June 24, 1842; June 22, 1847; June 14, 1852 ; 

June 13, 1S57; June 14, 1862. 
Joshua Fifield, Jan. 25, 181 5; June 20, 1820. 
Samuel I. Wells, June 26, 1822; Aug. 4, 1828; *Aug. 5, 1833. 
Thomas H. Pettengill, July i, 1823; June 27, 1830; Dec. 5, 1835; *Dec. 7, 1840; 

Dec. 23, 1845; May 17, 1851; May 17, 1856. 
John Cavender, July i, 1823. 
Jabez Smith, July i, 1823. 
William Pingrey, June 27, 1829; June 17, 1S34; June 21, 1S39; June 20, 1S44; 

Sept. 25, 1857; tSept. 13, 1862; Jan. 3, 1868. 
Benjamin Pettengill, 3d, Dec. 2, 1830 ; Dec. 5, 1S35; Dec. 7, 1840; Dec. 23, 1S45; 

*May 20, 1S47; May 21, 1852. 
John Townsend, Dec. 2, 1830 ; Dec. 5, 1835; *Jan. S, 1S38; Jan. 9, 1843; I^^c. 7, 

1847. 
Israel W. Kelly, June 16, 1829; *June 24, 1834; June 21, 1839. 
Matthew P. Webster, June 27, 1S31 ; June 11, 1836; June 12, 1841 ; June 17, 1846. 
Josiah S. Bean, June 21, 1832; June 14, 1S37 ; June 14, 1842; June 14, 1847. 
Moses Greeley, June 21, 1832; *June 30, 1837; June 14, 1842; June 14, 1847; June 

14, 1852; June 3, 1857; June 14, 1862. 
Ithamer Watson, July i, 1834; June 22, 1849; June 21, 1854. 
Stephen Pingrey, June 27, 1835; June 13, 1840; June 13, 1845; *July 6, 1846; June 

27, 1851; June 24, 1856; July 15, 1861 ; July 15, 1866. 
Valentine Little, June 26, 1837, June 13, 1840; June 14, 1847; June 14, 1852. 
Nathaniel Bean, Dec. 14, 1840; Dec. 23, 1845; ^ov. i, 1850; Nov. 2, 1855; Nov. 

24, i860. 
True George, June 26, 1841 ; June 30, 1S46; June 27, 1851. 
Nathaniel D. Huntoon, June 26, 1841 ; June 14, 1847. 
Albert G. Allen, Dec. 21, 1841. 
Cyrus Gookin, Dec. 21, 1841; Dec. 7, 1847; Dec. 3, 1S52; Sept. 26, 1S57; Sept. 13, 

1862; Sept. 13, 1867. 
Nathan Smith, June 29, 1843; June 19, 1848; June 18, 1S53. 
Francis F. Greenleaf, June 20, 1844. 
Daniel Chase, Dec. 7, 1840. 
Ebenezer Johnson, July 6, 1846; June 27, 1851; June 24, 1856; June 15, 1861; 

July 2, 1866. 
Benjamin F. Gale, July 6, 1846; June 27, 1S51 ; June 24, 1856. 
Abraham H. Robinson, Sept. 23, 1S46; Aug. 4, 1851 ; *JuIy i, 1853; June 30, 1S57; 

tjune 14, 1862, Concord. 
John Bean, July 3, 1847; June 14, 1852; June 13, 1S57 ; June 14, 1862. 
.Jonathan P. Webster, July 3, 1847; June 14, 1852; June 13, 1857. — 
David C. Gookin, Nov. i, 1850. 

Porter B. Watson, June 27, 1851 ; June 24, 1856; June 15, 1861. 
Jonathan H. Clement, June 27, 1851 ; June 24, 1856; June 15, 1861. 
Gilbert Eastman, July 4, 1851; June 24, 1856; June 15, 1861. 
Moses Fellows, June 14, 1852; June 13, 1857; June 14, 1862. 
Arthur L. Graves, Sept. 18, 1852; *July 13, 1855; tMay 14, 1858; April 11, 1863; 

April II, 1868; April 11, 1873. * 



TAXES, MAGISTRATES, ETC. 379 

Elbridge F. Greenough, Dec. 3, 1852; Sept. 25, 1857. 

Moses P. Thompson, July i, 1853; June 18, 1858; Sept. 29, 1863; *June 13, 1868; 

July 2, 1873; tjune 28, 1878. 
James Fellows, July 15, 1854; *March 30, 1855. 
Nathaniel Sawyer, March 30, 1855; Dec. 31, 1859; Dec. 31, 1864; June 16, 1870; 

tjan. 6, 1876. 
Garland Calef, July I3,*i855. 
John C. Smith, July 11, 1856; June 15, 1S61 ; June 15, 1866; June 15, 1871; 

tMarch 18, 1S75; Feb. 11, 1880. 
Jonathan W. Fifield, July 11, 1856. 
Moses J. Stevens, June 17, 1859; June 9, 1864; July 2, 1869; J""^ '-> '874; tJune 

10, 1879. 
Joseph P. Stevens, Sept. 23, 1859; Sept. 22, 1864. 
Thomas D. Little, May 18, i860; May 16, 1865; April 28, 1870; March 18, 1875; 

I June 9, 1880. 
Nathan Tucker, Jr., Nov. 24, i860; Oct. 31, 1865; Oct. i, 1870; Sept. 20, 1875. 
John M. Hayes, Nov. 26, 1861 ; tNov. 9, 1866. 
Augustus C. Pettengill, Jan. 3, 1S63; Jan. 3, 1868. 
Joseph Dow, June 13, 1863. 
Amos P. Stevens, June 14, 1862. 
Joseph C. Clifford, July 7, 1864. 

Charles C. Rogers, June 15, 1S66; June 15, 187 1 ; *June 13, 1876. 
Caleb E. Smith, Jan. 3, 1868. 

William Dunlap, Sept. 10, 1868; Aug. 22, 1873; Oct. 15, 1879. 
Charles E. Foot, May 13, 1869. 
B. F. Scribner, June 16, 1870. 

D. R. Everett, Jan. i, 1870; tSept, 13, 1872. 

E. B. Emerson, July 10, 1874; tOct. 20, 1874; Oct. 21, 1879. 
Jonathan Arey, March 18, 1875; Feb. 11, 1880. 

Daniel J. Calef, Ntay 12, 1875; June 9, 1880. 

Isaac S. Blaisdell, April 10, 1877. ^ 

Sylvester W. (ireen, April 10, 1877. 

Thomas II. Whittaker, June 4, 1878. 

CENSUS OF STEVENSTOVVN IN 1 767. 

Unmarried men, from 16 to 60, 18 Male slaves, I 

Married men, from 16 to 60, 36 Female slaves, O 

Poys, from 16 years and under, 55 Widows, 2 

Men Oc years and above, 
Females unmarried, 
Females married. 

The census of 1767 having been found imperfect, the Provin- 
cial Congress, held at Exeter, August 26th, 1775, issued an 
order to the several towns and places in the province for taking 



18 


Male slaves. 


36 


Female slaves. 


55 


Widows, 







62 


Total, 


36 





380 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

a new census, and also for taking an account of the number of 
firearms, the quantity of powder, etc., in each town. Agreea- 
bly to this requisition, the town authorities made the following 
return : 

Colony of New Hampshire, } 
Hillsborough, SS. f 

Salisbury, October ye 3rd, 1775. 
To the Gentlemen of the Committee of Safety for said Colony, pursuant to a 
Letter to us Directed from the President of the Provincial Congress, we have taken 
an Exact number of the inhabitants of this town including Every Soul in said town 
and is as follows viz 

Males under 16 years of age, 142 

Males from 16 years of age to 60, not in the army, 92 

All males above 50 years of age, 15 

Persons gone in the army, 6 

All females, 242 

*Negroes and slaves for life, i 



Firearms fit for use 47 — arms wanted 45. The above is a true account taken 
by us. 

JOHN COLLINS, J^ Selectmen for 

LEONARD JUDKINS, j Salisbury. 

November 19th, 1775, the above gentlemen went before Joseph Bean, Jus. Peace, 
and made oath to the above statement. 

POPULATION OF SALISBURY AT DIFFERENT PERIODS. 

Population, 1786, 1045 Population, 1820, 2016 Population, i860, 1191 

1790, 1372 1830, 1379 1870, 897 

1800, 1767 1840, 1329 1880, 795 

1810, 1819 1850, 1228 

1782. Number of polls from iS years of age and upward, 162 
Female slaves, i 

1783. Number of polls from 18 years of age to 75, 171 
Female slaves, i 

*One slave belonged to Benj.imin Sanborn, and served in the Revolution, but did not return. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



AGRICULTURE OF THE TOWN. 

"Heaven speed the plow! Fair Nature's shuttle true! 
The farmer is her weaver, and the field 
Her web and woof ! Long ages but renew 
Proofs of her power, while rots the weaver's shield." 

When Major Stevens and his co-workers commenced the 
settlement of a township on the banks of the Merrimack, and 
beneath the shadow of Kearsarge, there was immediately be- 
fore them but one industry that gave hope of success. The 
forests must be felled ; shelter, though rude and scant, must be 
provided ; and the lands, rough and obdurate, must be prepared 
for the production of immediate harvests. The sturdy pion- 
eers had been inured to toil and hardship, and they were ready 
to meet them in the new location they had chosen. 

The meadows and intervales were deprived of their spontan- 
eous growth ; woodlands fell beneath the blows of the a.xe ; 
fire consumed the fallen trees and prepared the stubborn earth 
for the spade and the plow, adding fertility to a soil already 
capable of producing all the vegetable growth required for the 
sustenance of man and beast. Annually," wider areas of hill- 
side and plain were opened to the sun, and richer harvests 
were gathered. The cultivation of the earth, and the feeding 
of flocks and herds constituted the one great interest. The 
whole population was able to practice the art of husbandry. 
Even the minister and the schoolmaster understood the culture 
of the soil as well as the culture of the mind. Mechanics 
withdrew from the farm, as demands on their special skill and 



382 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

labor increased. The sound of the saw and hammer followed 
the work of the axe, and agriculture kept pace with the growth 
of the mechanic arts. Salisbury has ever been strictly an agri- 
cultural town, and many of its citizens have accumulated 
wealth from the skilful cultivation of the soil. Though the 
chief markets were distant, the beef and pork, the wool and 
mutton, the butter and cheese, and the surplus grains, were 
often sold at their doors, and few were the farms that did not 
produce sufficient to clothe and feed the occupants, and have a 
surplus to make improvements in lands and buildings. 

The farmers have, with rare exceptions, been the substantial 
citizens of the town, holding a full proportion of official posi- 
tions, and contributing liberally to sustain the institutions of 
education and religion. 

The leading harvests have been grass and corn, and the 
smaller grains. Apples have been abundant, and have a repu- 
tation for excellent qualities. Cider, until recently, has been 
as common in the farm house as milk or corn. The orchards 
are still a source of much profit. Pears are grown in many 
gardens, though not in large quantities. It is said the first 
pear tree in the town came from seed planted by Benjamin 
Greeley. It is certain that Rev. Mr. Searle grew excellent 
pears in his garden. A specimen was long years ago painted 
by one of the parson's daughters, which is now in the posses- 
sion of her son, Hon. Henry P. Rolfe. 

Flax was once grown in the town, and among the relics of 
the past are still found, in barn or garret, the implements for 
breaking, swingling, carding and spinning flax. The old style 
loom and spinning wheel are now seldom brought to view, ex- 
cept at antiquarian exhibits, as remembrances of the past. 

The farming in the town has been, until very recently, car- 
ried on with old style implements, and with little scientific 
knowledge. But now we may place the successful farmer of 
Salisbury among the progressive tillers of the soil. Farm ma- 
chinery is widely used, and the ancient implements have given 
place to those of greater utility. If the harvests are lighter 
than in earlier days, they are more easily produced, and little 



AGRICULTURE OF THE TOWN. 383 

besides the want of ready markets, the high cost of labor, and 
the departure of his sons from home, brings discouragement to 
the farmer's home. 

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. 

The following record give the annual average products for 
many years : 

Acres of improved land, 171637 

Number of horses, 172 

Number of cattle, 1.034 

♦Number of sheep, 3.830 

Number of swine. 206 

Estimated value of live stock, $88,573 

Bushels of wheat grown, I. '49 

Bushels of rye grown, 254 

Bushels of corn grown, 8,167 

Bushels of oats grown, 2,166 

Bushels of barley grown, 500 

Bushels of peas and beans grown, 373 

Bushels of potatoes grown, 17,266 

Value of orchard products, $12,042 

Pounds of wool, '6,215 

Pounds of butter, 3'>585 

Pounds of cheese, '2,335 

Pounds of hops, ( long ago,) 3.629 

Pounds of maple sugar, 3.5' 5 

Pounds of poultry, 6,131 

Pounds of honey, 705 

Tons of hay, 2,500 

Dozens of eggs, 12,548 

Quarts of milk, ( used,) . 5S.OOO 

Value of forest products sold, $6,867 

Value of slaughtered animals, $18,239 

Estimated value of farm products, $129,914 

MERRIMACK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

Soon after the formation of Merrimack county, in 1S23, sev- 
eral gentlemen in the central towns met and resolved to organ- 
ize a county society. Early in the ensuing year, a society was 
instituted, and a charter granted, at the June session of the 
legislature: 

• Formerly 8,000; now but few hundreds. 



384 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



The number of members was 145. Of these, Allenstown 
furnished i ; Andover, 3 ; Boscawen, 13 ; Bradford, 2 ; Canter- 
bury, 12; Chichester, i ; Concord, 31 ; Dunbarton, i ; Epsom, 
2; Henniker, 13; Hooksett, i; Hopkinton, 17; New London, 
I ; Northfield, 3 ; Pembroke, 2 ; Pittsfield, i ; Warner, 6. Sal- 
isbury had 36 members, the largest from any town. The 
names of the Salisbury men are as follows : 



Ebenezer Eastman, 
Israel W. Kelly, 
Nathaniel Webster, 
Moses Eastman, 
Jabez Smith, 
Benjamin Pettengill, 
Benjamin Calef, 
Josiah Greene, 
M. P. Webster, 
Samuel I. Wells, 
Joel Eastman, 
John Cavender, 



Lyman Hawley, 
Parker Noyes, 
David Pettengill, 
Leonard W. Noyes, 
Joshua Fifield, 
Thomas H. Pettengill, 
Jonathan P. Webster, 
Benjamin Pettengill, 
James Garland, 
Thomas Beal, 
Christopher Page, 
Kendall O. Peabody, 



Trueworthy Gilman, 
Benjamin Pettengill, 3d, 
Andews Bowers, 
Samuel C. Bartlett, 
William Haddock, 
Moses Clement, 
J. L. Eaton, 
Peter Bartlett, 
Ebenezer Blanchard, 
Charles Ayer, 
Jeremy Webster, 
|ohn Townsend. 



The society held its first fair at Salisbury South Road, on 
the 19th day of October, 1823. It was at this fair that Eze- 
kiel Webster first introduced what was afterwards familiarly 
known at the time as "the Webster breed of hogs." 

There were entered for premiums 1 1 farms, 50 head of cat- 
tle, II horses and colts, 52 sheep and 7 swine, two of the 
latter, a boar and a sow, bearing the aristocratic names of 
" Count " and " Countess Rumford." 

The record says, " A procession was formed and moved to 
the meeting house, under the direction of the marshals of the 
day, where the throne of grace was addressed by the Rev. Mr. 
Cross, and an address delivered by Dr. Ebenezer Lerned, pres- 
ident of the society." There were awarded in premiums, 
^202, of which same the "Count" and " Countess Rumford " 
each obtained $4.00 ; for exhibitors of farms, $70.00 ; cattle, 
$47.00; sheep, $14.00; horses, $6.00; domestic manufactures, 
$57.00, including seven pieces of fulled cloth, five pieces of 
carpeting, two of flannel, and two of linen cloth. No fruit, 
or field or garden crops were entered. 



AGKICULTURE OF THE TOWN. 385 

Ezekiel Webster was its second president, and delivered the 
second annual address. His manuscript copy has been pre- 
served in the New Hampshire Historical Society's collections. 
It was printed in the New Hampshire Agricultural Society's 
transactions for 1856, page 471. 

This society in no instance failed to hold its annual meetings, 
for thirty years, till the state fair divided the allegiance of the 
people of the county, and lessened the interest in the county 
organization. It still owns extensive grounds, and ample ac- 
commodations for a county, state, or New England fair, on the 
plains, on the east side of the Merrimack river, in Concord. Its 
fiftieth anniversary was celebrated at the court house, in Con- 
cord, on the 15th of January, 1874. An interesting historical 
address was given by Joseph H. Walker, Esq., which was fol- 
lowed by a public dinner, a poem by Mrs. Abba Gould Wool- 
son, and an ode of rare merit by George Kent, Esq. Parker 
Noyes, Benjamin Pettengill, Ebenezer Eastman, and Joshua 
Fifield, prominent citizens of Salisbury, were officially con- 
nected with the formation of the society. 

THE WEBSTER PLOW. 

The pages of our history will show that many of the emin- 
ent citizens of the town have been among the most earnest 
patrons of husbandry. They have kept the best stock, culti- 
vated excellent farms, and given their personal influence and 
most generous efforts to improve the occupation of the farmer. 
Especially may we say this of Mr. Webster, who always mani- 
fested a strong attachment to the soil of his native town. He 
was fond of cattle, and introduced animals of great merit into 
the town. He advocated improved implements and by the aid 
of a farm workman made the noted "Webster Plow," now in 
the museum of the Agricultural College. Its length was 13 
feet; beam, 9 feet, i inch ; handles, 6 feet, 4 inches; distance 
between handles, 2 feet, 10 inches; width of moldboard, 20 
inches; width of span, 16 inches. This implement was in- 
cluded in the New Hampshire collection exhibit, at Philadel- 
phia, in 1876. 
25 



AGRICULTURE OF THK TOWN. 38/ 

Mr. Webster is reported to have said, in regard to it : 
"When I stand between the handles of my big plow, drawn 
by six or eight stout oxen, and see it cut through the earth, 
turning in and covering grass, stones and stumps, I feel a 
greater enthusiasm than I ever experienced in the most ear- 
nest efforts at the bar, in the senate, or on the platform." 

RECKNT FARMING ORGANIZATIONS. 

The town has two active organizations, barely mentioned in 
previous pages, Bartlett Grange and the Farmers Club. These 
are doing good service, and keep alive a love for the home and 
the farm of the fathers. The Farmers Club has initiated a 
series of fairs, which promise lasting benefits to the town. 




BREAKING AND SWINGLING FLAX. 




SPINNING WOOL, COTTON, OK TOW. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



VILLAGES AND OTHER LOCATIONS. 

" Loveliest village of the plain, 
Where health and plenty cheered the laboring swain, 
Where smiling spring its earliest visit paid. 

And parting summer's lingering bloom delayed." 

There were three or four general business centres in the ol d 
town, to which we may add as many other hamlets or special 
locations, all bearing names suggested by their positions or 
surroundings. The severance of her territory transferred two 
of them to the new town of Franklin. 

The South Road Village was named from its situation on 
the south road, or south rangeway, which runs through it 
from east to west. The turnpike road, intersecting the former 
near the easterly limit of the village, occupies common ground 
to the westerly section of the village, and then takes a north- 
westerly direction toward the Centre Village. Here are located 
the academy, once a popular institution, the Congregational 
church, a post office, two stores, and several mechanical work- 
shops. Formerly this village was a great centre for trade, 
and its hotels were resorts for travellers, teamsters and the 
farmers from the north, who brought their products to market. 
With the opening of railroads the business rapidly decreased, 
and the South Road Village, like that at the Centre, gave in- 
dications of decline. 

We present an outline, drawn by Thomas D. Little, Esq., of 
the principal streets and their connections, with the designa- 
tions of dwellings and places of business, at present and in 
former years : 



392 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

1. Residence of Dr. Joseph Bartlett and his son, Dr. Peter Bartlett; subse- 
quently of Tristram Greenleaf and B. F. Weeks. House burned in 1S74. 

2. Residence of David Calef. House rebuilt about 1835. Residence of D. J. 
Calef. Residence of Merrill Perry. 

3. Residence of Israel Webster, son of Capt. John Webster. House removed 
in 1829. 

4. Built by Rev. E. D. Eldredge, in 185 1. His residence until 1854. Now 
residence of H. C. Keyes. 

5. Residence of Rev. Thomas Worcester until his death. Now residence of 
D. J. Calef. 

6. Residence of one Bohonon. Torn down about 1S32. 

7. Residence of Amos Bean, I. W. Kelley and Gilbert Eastman. One of the 
oldest houses in town. ^ ^ 

8. Location of a school house before 1S05. 

9. Location of Methodist church, built in 1858. Removed after four or five 
years. Now site of P. A. Fellows's blacksmith shop. 

10. Residence of I. W. Kelley, where Daniel Webster was married to Grace 
Fletcher. 

1 1 . Residence of Benjamin Baker ; now of Mrs. Lois Crane, and L. A. Hawkins. 

12. Academy building located here in 1805. Moved from Garland's hill. 

13. John White's potash manufactory. Removed about 1830. 

14. Residence of Mr. Judkins, Moses Clement, John Peters, and Amos Bean. 

15. Nathaniel Noyes's store. Removed in 1841. 

16. Residence of Nathaniel Noyes, Rev. Abijah Cross, Rev. Andrew Rankin 
and Nathaniel Bean. 

17. Site of first two-story house in town, between the Merrimack and Black- 
water. Torn down in 1S34. 

18. Site of residence of Andrew, Matthew and Carlton Pettengill. After iSoo, 
the residence of William C, T. R. and T. D. Little. 

i8}4- Supposed site of Pettengill's blacksmith shop. 

19. Residence of Moses Eastman, Esq., Dr. A. H. Robinson, Jesse Eaton, Mrs. 
Morrison, and Mrs. Moores. House burned in 1S16. Rebuilt by Mr. Eastman. 
Post office here many years. Hon. T. W. Thompson first built on this site and here 
undoubtedly kept the first post office, previous to his removal to the Lower Village. 

20. Congregational church. 

21. Store of E. F. Greenough. Formerly the Xoyes store. Moved here in 
1S41. 

22. Residence of John White, Samuel .Xllen and Samuel Guilford. 

23. Greenleaf's store. J. H. Clement's. Now occupied by A. E. Quimby. 

24. Greenough's store. Built and occupied by him about 1S50. Occupied by 
C. E. Foote & Co. Now used as a Fruit Evaporator. Site of Stephen Bohonon's 
house, afterwards the first store in town. 

25. Residence of Andrew Bowers and E. F. Greenough. Now the parsonage. 
25^. Supposed site of Wilder &: Bowers's potash manufactory. 

26. Residence of Samuel Greenleaf, F. S. Greenleaf, J. H. Clement, Joseph 
Smith and D. G. Bean. 

27. John White's store, then the Allen store, then J. H. Clement's shoe factory. 
27^. Flanders's tin shop. Residence of Julia F. Bean. 



VILLAGES AND OTHER LOCATIONS. 393 

28. Residence of John Townsend, J. B. and J. C. Smith. 

zSyi. Townsend's harness and saddler's shop. Now residence of Mrs. B. O. 
Adams. 

29. Residence of John Townsend, D. R. Kverett and X. Kilburn. 

29^. Site of T. R. Greenleaf's hat factory also of Masonic I fall. Moved in 1834 
to site of No. 17. Is now T. D. Little's steam mill and drag rake factory. 

30. Residence of Stephen \Vebster, son of Capt. John Webster. It became 
the site of the old tavern kept by Rogers, Ciilman & Hawley, the Shepherds, Al- 
len, Ainsworth, J. B., Nathan and J. C. Smith. Burned July 19, 1882. 

31. Residence of Capt. John Webster, Ensign John Webster, his son, Thomas 
Foote and G. F. Elliott. (3ne of the oldest houses. 

32. Residence of Mr. West, Dr. Proctor and E. Little. 

33. Residence of Mr. West. Now occupied by G. P. Titcomb. 

34. Residence of Edward West, — Bohonon and John Peters. 

35. Residence of Benjamin Smith, Dr. Baker and L. M. Learned. 

36. Residence of Ensign John Webster, Nathaniel Webster, John Eaton and 
W. H. Moulton. 

36^. Residence of John Collins, Heiijamin Baker, E. Austin and Mr. Dimond. 

37. Residence of Francis Little and T. R. Little. 

38. Residence of William Flanders, Mr. Heath and John Huntoon. 

39. Residence of Noah West and E. P. Eastman. 

40. Residence of N. Woodbury and S. Erasure. 

41. Residence of E. Eastman. 

42. Residence of James Woodbury, Rev. V. Little and E. T. llarvey. 

Mr. Eastman, in his description in 1823, says : "This is also 
on the northern mail route from Boston to Burlington. In 
this village there are about thirty dwelling houses, one Con- 
gregational meeting house, erected in the year 1790, two 
stores, one bookbindery, one tavern, one saddlery, one hatter's 
shop, two shoemaker's shops, three wheelwright shops, two 
blacksmith's shops. Also, a post office, called the West Post 
Office, two law offices and an academy." 

Of the Centre Road Village, he says: "The Centre Road 
Village is pleasantly situated one mile and a half north west of 
the South Road Village, on the same great mail route. Here 
also are about thirty dwelling houses, a Baptist church, erected 
in 1 79 1, three stores, one tannery, two shoemaker's shops, two 
cabinet maker's shops, one blacksmith's shop and a law office. 
Both villages are situated on elevated ground and the sur- 
rounding scenery is grand, beautiful and picturesque. The 
distant azure mountains, the fertilizing streams, the cultivated 
fields, the glens and valleys, and e.xtensive pasture grounds, 



394 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

interspersed with beautiful copses of woodland, conspire to ren- 
der it delightful to the eye, and it affords fine subjects for the 
pen." 

The church and the dwellings remain, but age has left its 
marks upon them. A few of the residences have been im- 
proved. Now and then one that was prominent years ago, has 
been taken down or removed. Some trade is still carried on 
there and limited mechanical work executed. Recently a hotel 
has been opened. Here, near the church, on the common, 
stands the Town Hall, where the public meetings of the town 
and other organizations are held. A school house has long 
stood in the west section of the village, on the road to the 
mills. 

The record made more than a half century ago, which we 
have copied, covered the villages on the Merrimack and Pemi- 
gewasset, which now belongs to Franklin. It says : 

"Pemigewasset, or East Village, is situated in the north east 
corner of the town, at the great falls on the Pemigewasset 
river. This is a pleasant, thriving place already, and of con- 
siderable and increasing business. By the enterprise and 
liberality of a few individuals, an elegant meeting house has 
lately been erected in this village and ornamented with a bell. 
Here also are two stores, one tavern, one tannery, three or 
four cooper's shops, one blacksmith's shop with trip hammers, 
and one manufacturing establishment. The stream affords 
several excellent sites for a variety of other mill machinery. 

A toll bridge across the Pemigewasset leads from the vil- 
lage to Sanbornton and Northfield. There is a post office in 
the village, called the East Post Office. 

About three miles below this village, on the alluvium of the 
Merrimack, mentioned before, the earliest settlements were 
effected. This is a pleasant farming village, consisting of 
about ten or twelve dwelling houses, two taverns, one store, a 
tannery, one blacksmith's shop, one joiner's shop and a law 
office." 

The organization of the town of Franklin gave a new im- 
petus to business in the village known as Pemigewasset or 



VILLAGES AND OTHER LOCATIONS. 395 

Republican Village, or East Salisbury, but the earlier desig- 
nations were lost in the general name of the new town. The 
church is still on its primary location, and is accompanied by 
hotels, places of trade and manufacturing, and educational 
buildings, adequate to the demands of the busy place. The 
town hall and the railway station are located on territory for- 
merly embraced in the town of Salisbury. 

The Lower Village has not maintained its once thriving con- 
dition. Its hotels and stores, its lawyers and mechanics have 
gone, but the farmers are fi.xed on the soil they till and are 
among the most prosperous of its population. Here have re- 
sided not a few of the most eminent men of the town. First 
and foremost among them stand the names of Thompson, Had- 
dock and Webster. Of the living men, whose early work was 
mostly done here, we may name only George W. Nesmith, 
now far past his four score years. His chief interest is in the 
Orphans Home, whose most liberal patron he has ever been. 

This little hamlet is now called South Franklin, " Elms 
Farm," "Webster Place," or "Orphans Home." All these 
designations are accepted by the rural residents. 

At the railway crossing, just south of the village, was the 
most elegant house of early times in the town. It was built 
as early as 1800, by Samuel George, for Capt. Thompson, a 
brother of Hon. Thomas W. Thompson. It was sold to 
Brackett Weeks, the father of the late Hon. William P. Weeks, 
of Canaan, who, in his youthful days, resided there with his 
parents and attended the academy at the South Road. It was 
purchased and occupied by Mr. Henry Burleigh, and at the 
present time is owned and occupied by Mr. Wallace Burleigh. 

In addition to the business locations named are other prom- 
inent points, well known to residents of the town and those 
accustomed to visit it, which, being named, serve to mark dif- 
ferent sections, and are conv^enient when reference is made 
to parties residing in their vicinity. 

"The Mills" is the name given to the locality in School 
District No. 6, where most of the manufacturing and mechan- 
ical industries are conducted. Here is also a post office. 



396 HISTORV OF SALISBURY. 

" Smith's Corner," is in the westerly section. It was early 
settled, having at one time a large hotel, kept by Phineas 
Bean, and it is quite evident that " English and West India 
Goods " were once kept there for sale on the southwest corner, 
by Mr. Bean, or perhaps by one Adams. The Union meeting 
house, built in 1834, is located here. On the northeast corner 
lived Reuben Greeley, and Joseph Colby on the northwest 
corner, where he had a harness shop. 

"Scribner's Corner" is a mile and a quarter north of "Smith's 
Corner," and is so called for the Scribners, who early settled 
there. 

"Parsons's Corner" is at the junction of Cash street and 
the turnpike road, and was so called out of respect for one of 
Salisbury's good citizens, Dea. William Parsons. 

"Ouimby's" or "Shaw's Corner," is situated in the east 
part of the town. It was named for Edward Quimby, an early 
re^dent, who had a blacksmith shop there. Stephen Perrin 
manufactured hats there. It has recently been called "Shaw's 
Corner," probably from the fact that a family of that name re- 
side near by on a road leading directly to that locality. 

" The Birth Place," as it is now called, is in Franklin, not 
far from the Salisbury line. In determining the limits of the 
new town, an irregular line was established, ostensibly not to 
disturb the boundaries of a school district, but more probably 
for the honor of claiming the farm on which the greatest 
American statesman was born. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS. 

" Divinity, Physic, .ind Law 

Of tlie good things of life have possession. 
And who wishes to put in his claw, 

Must follow a learned profession ; 
For if each vulgar elf, through his lucre of pelf, 

Is permitted to plunder and pilfer his brother, 
The friends of the church will he left in the lurch. 

And Physic and Law may go hang one another." 

PHYSICIANS. 

The first physician in the town was Dr. Colby, who remained 
but a short time. It is said that a neighbor being annoyed by 
some transaction of the doctor's, complained of him to the 
church for racing horses on the Sabbath. This so vexed the 
doctor that he left the town for a more congenial location. 

JOSEPH r.AKTLErr, 

son of Joseph and Jane (Colby) Bartlett, was born in Ames- 
bury, Mass., January 14, 1751, and studied medicine with his 
uncle, Joseph Hartlett, of Kingston, who was one of the signers 
of the Declaration of Independence. At the age of twenty 
he came to Salisbury and settled opposite the present residence 
of Merrill Perry. Dr. Bartlett, being the first permanent phy- 
sician, his practice soon became very e.xtensive, reaching into 
most of the surrounding towns. He soon won the respect of 
his fellow townsmen as a citizen, and the confidence, as a 
learned and skillful physician, of all who knew him. In town 
affairs he took a lively interest, and was often selected as 
an agent of the town and upon important committees. He be- 



398 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

came the first Justice of the Peace after the incorporation of 
the town, having been designated by a vote of his fellow 
townsmen. He was much employed outside of his profession, 
ofificially and otherwise. Early in life he joined the Masonic 
Order, in which he took a very active part through his life. 
He died September 20, 1800, having been in practice nearly 
thirty years. 

As an illustration of the prices charged by physicians for 
their professional services at that time, the following bill of 
fees is appended : 

Ensn. Moses Garland to Joseph Bartlett, Dr. 

£ s. d. 



Bleeding Lydia Sleepier, 008 

Empl. Diachy. C. G. and Cantharides for his ) 

wife, ( 

A visit, Elix. Camph. Sal. Cath. Am. &c., for ( q , 

his child, S 

Spir. Hierapic. Sal Mirab. Glaub. & Canth. \ ^ r 

for his wife, S 
Dressing his leg, &c., 007 

Dressing his leg & ung Basil Flav. Tinct. I, ^ , (^ 

Myrrh Escharot Powdr. for his leg, j 

Dressing his leg & ung Basil Flav. Tinct. I. „ , 5 

Myrrh for his leg, S 

A visit. Elix. Camph. Ingred. for a purg. ) 

apoz. Rad. Valer. Syl. G. Ammon. Cortx. > o 4 

Peru, &c., for his child, ) 
Ung Emmol for his wife's ankle, o i o 

Calling, G. Myrrh Camph. Ammon. &c., ^^^ I r, , 

his Daughter, f -^ 

Jany. nth, 1785. A visit. Elix. Camph. Opium Theb. G. Dra- ) 

con Magnes Alb. Cm. Ol. Anis, &c., &c., for ^ o 8 o 

his wife and Childn. and Tarrying, ; 



May 23rd, 


1778. 


Dec. 8th, 


Do 


March ist. 


1779. 


Octr. 14th, 


Do 


Deer. 4th, 




26th, 




Jany. 2nd, 


1780. 


Novr. 19th, 


1780. 


August 1 2th, 


1783. 




1784. 



Total, £143 

Contra. One Bushel of Rye by Mr. Judkins, 040 

II lb. of Veal, a 023 

five Hund'd & 12 feet of Oak Joist at my house, 012 o 



o 18 3 



JOSEPH BARTLETT, JR., 



son of the first physician, was born in Salisbury, April 8, 
1775. H^ studied medicine with his father, whom he suc- 
ceeded in practice, making and sustaining the reputation of a 
good man and a skillful physician. He died March 18, 18 14. 



399 PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS. 



PETER BARTLETT 

was brother to Joseph, Jr., with whom he studied. He at- 
tended lectures at Dartmouth and received the degree of M. D. 
in 1809. He practiced a short time at Sanbornton, and re- 
turned to Salisbury as early as 18 17, succeeding his brother 
Joseph on the homestead. In 1836 he removed to Peoria, 111., 
where he died September 6, 1838. Dr. Bartlett was an active 
and enterprising member of society, a man of fine personal ap- 
pearance and engaging manners. He was probably never sur- 
passed in the state as a prompt, energetic and attentive physi- 
cian. When called upon for his services, he went like the 
wind, keeping three very fleet horses and one in the harness 
constantly to obey all calls promptly. His removal to the far 
west produced universal regret. He was Secretary of the New 
Hampshire Medical Society from 1823 to 1825 inclusive, Presi- 
dent in 1 83 1 and 1832, and a delegate to the medical school at 
Hanover in 1827. 

JONATHAN KITTREDGE 

was a descendant of John Kittredge, who came from England, 
and settled in Billerica, Mass., and there died in i'j'76. Dr. 
Jonathan removed to Salisbury from Canterbury about the 
year 18 10, where he had been for more than twenty years in 
the medical profession. In Salisbury, he resided in the house 
opposite Benjamin Pettengill's. He died at the age of 56 
years, February 27, 18 19. He belonged to the Kittredge fam- 
ily of Tewksbury, Mass., of whom it used to be said " they 
were natural-born physicians." While in Salisbury, he was 
licensed to preach by the Baptist Association, and for years 
was accustomed to conduct religious e.xercises in the west part 
of the town. March 17, 1791, he married Apphia Woodman, 
of Sanbornton, born May 2, 1773, died August 21, 1842. The 
oldest son of Jonathan and Apphia (Woodman) Kittredge was 
Judge Jonathan (D. C. 1813) who read law in New York, and 
located at Lyme, and, in 1840, removed to Canaan. He was a 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and held other important 



4CX) HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

offices. In 1859, he moved to Concord, where he died, 1864, 
at the age of 70 years. He was for a long time a leading power 
in the temperance cause. J. Perry Kittredge, of Concord, is 
his son. 

The other children of Dr. Kittredge were Joseph Wood- 
man, Moses and Aaron, (twins,) and Alfred, Martha and Mary 
Esther. 

JOB WILSON 

was born in Gilmanton, January 25, 1776, studied medicine 
with Dr. Jonathan Kittredge, and received the degree of M. B. 
at Dartmouth Medical College, in 1804, and M. D., in 1823. 
Dr. Wilson first settled on Water street, in Boscawen, and re- 
moved to Salisbury previous to 18 14, locating at the Centre 
Road, and soon had an extensive practice. In 1830-4, he built 
himself a large house in Franklin known as the "bird house," 
to which he eventually removed, and there continued his prac- 
tice. He died in September, 185 1. Dr. Wilson became a 
noted physician and attained to the highest eminence as a sur- 
geon. He had a large consulting practice for many years. He 
was a member of the State Medical Society, and its President 
in 1825-6. He was also a member of the Central Medical So- 
ciety and was elected a delegate by that society to Dartmouth 
Medical College, in 1822. He was a diligent student and a 
frequent contributor to the Boston Medical and Surgical Jour- 
nal. He was the author of a work on Spotted Fever. He was 
very methodical in all his business transactions. He early 
united with the Congregational church in Salisbury and con- 
tinued an active and exemplary member to the end of life. 

THOMAS W. WILSON 

was born in Salisbury, February 15, 1806, studied medicine 
with his father and Dr. Joseph M. Harper, of Canterbury, and 
graduated at Dartmouth Medical College and began practicing 
in Salisbury with his father. He had a large practice. He 
first united with the Calvinistic Baptist church in Salisbury 
and afterwards with the Congregational church. "Dr. Tom," 



PHYSICIAXS AND LAWYERS. 401 

as he was familiarly called, possessed the Wilson character- 
istics as a physician, and in general practice was by many sup- 
posed to be superior to his father, but did not reach his father's 
reputation as a surgeon. He died April 13, 1861. 

LEVI G. HILL 

was born at Strafford in 18 12, and was educated at Strafford, 
Newmarket, and Gilmanton academies. Studied medicine with 
Dr. Webster, of Strafford, Dr. Wright, of Gilmanton, and Prof. 
Muzzey, of Hanover, and graduated from Dartmouth Medical 
College, in November, 1837. Subsequently, he spent consider- 
able time in hospitals and medical colleges, at Boston, New 
York, and Philadelphia. He came to Salisbury in 1838, and 
resided in the house now occupied by John C. Smith. He re- 
mained in Salisbury about three years, when he removed to 
Virginia, and remained at Norfolk about one year, the climate 
not agreeing with him. He then returned and settled in 
Dover, where he has since resided and practiced. Dr. Hill is a 
member and ex-President of the City, District, and State Med- 
ical Societies, Honorary Member of the Maine Medical Associ- 
ation and Vice President of the American Medical Association. 
He married Miss Abigail Burnham, daughter of Samuel Shack- 
ford, of Barrington, and has four children. He has been for 
several years a member of the school board, and also of the city 
government of Dover. 

JOIIX PROCTOR 

resided and practiced in Salisbury previous to 1820. He re- 
sided in the house recently owned by Eliphalet Little, which 
he sold to him when removing to Epsom. He came here from 
Amesbury, Mass. This is all that is known of him. 

JESSE MERRILL 

was born at Peacham, Vt., August i, 1794. His paternal an- 
cestor, Nathaniel, settled at Ipswich, Mass., as early as 1638. 
Dr. Merrill studied medicine with Drs. Mcllvain, of York, Me,, 
and Shed, of Peacham, Vt., graduated at Dartmouth Medical Col- 
26 



402 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

lege in 1819, and settled in that part of Salisbury now Franklin, 
where for a quarter of a century he was the leading physician of 
that village and practiced extensively in the surrounding towns. 
His charges at the time of his commencing practice and for 
many years were twenty-five cents for the west side of the 
river and thirty-four cents for the other side, in the village pre- 
cincts. June 20, 1820, he married Sarah Johnson, of Peacham, 
Vt. After changing his residence several times, he built the 
second house north of the present residence of Judge Nesmith. 
He also moved the old Noyes school house and fitted it up for 
a dwelling, into which he moved and in which he resided till 
his removal to Hopkinton, Mass., where he died Nov. 18, i860. 
He was a generous spirited man and gave himself unreservedly 
to his profession, and if a call was made upon him day or night, 
he was ready to answer it promptly, both in the darkness and 
the storm, and it made no difference whether it came from 
the rich or the poor. Dr. Merrill was a strong anti-slavery 
man and remembered those in bonds as bound with them, and 
had for a co-laborer Dudley Ladd. The fugitive slave, as he 
fled from bondage in our then boasted land of freedom, had the 
sympathy, the encouragement and material aid of these gen- 
tlemen. 

In June, 1822, his family, with a few others, formed the 
nucleus of a Congregational church in that village. With his 
other manly virtues, he was a noted temperance man. His 
wife died March 27, 1847. In November, 1848, he married 
Miss Ann H. Morrill, of Boscavven, who died in October, 1880. 

MOSES HILL, 

son of Moses and Mary (Hoit) Hill, vvas born in Warner, May 
5, 1805 ; he pursued his academic studies at Kingston and Salis- 
bury academies; studied medicine with Dr. Peter Bartlett, 
and graduated at Dartmouth Medical College in 183 1. He 
attended several courses of lectures at Philadelphia, and began 
practice in Northwood, where he married Miss Eliza Clark. 
On the removal of Dr. Peter Bartlett to Peoria, III, Dr. Hill 
succeeded him and remained one year, when he removed to 



PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS. 4O3 

Manchester and there pursued the practice of medicine very 
successfully for twenty-three years. He then removed to Bur- 
lington, Iowa, and died while on a visit to Port Huron, Mich., 
January 27, 1875. 

BENJAMIN E. WOODMAN 

was born at Salem, November 13, 1802; studied medicine with 
Dr. Peter Bartlett three years, graduating at Dartmouth Medi- 
cal College in 1829. He began practice in Andover, and suc- 
ceeded Dr. Moses Hill, in Salisbury, when he removed to Man- 
chester and remained one year. He resided at Hampstead, 
married, October 20, 1830, Miss Ann, daughter of Moses 
dement, and died February 24, 1877. 

JOHN BAKER 

was born in Salisbury, May 23, 1792, attended the academy, 
and studied medicine with Dr. Jonathan Kittredge. It is said 
he practiced medicine in Salisbury from 1841 to 185 1. He 
resided in the L. M. Learned house. He died at Little Rock, 
Ark., June i, 185 1. He married Miss Esther Town, of Hills- 
borough, December 6, 183 1, by whom he had John G., born in 
Weare, September 24, 1823, (graduated at Dartmouth Col- 
lege in 1846,) Harriet, born August 14, 1825, married — Kel- 
logg and resides in Georgia. He married Mary, sister of the 
first wife, who died January 2, 1845, leaving one son, George, 
who resides in Nebraska. He married for his third wife 
Lydia Hale, of Salisbury. Dr. Baker practiced in Antrim, 
Hillsborough, Weare, Salisbury, and Lowell, Mass., from 
whence he went to Arkansas. 

CALVIN nACHKLDER 

was born in Pittsfield, May 2, 1796, and was a son of Jacob and 
Mary (Cleaveland) Bachelder. He studied medicine with 
Dr. Enoch Hoit, of Northfield, and received his degree at 
Dartmouth Medical College in 1825. He was in successful 
practice, as a physician, from 1827 to 1846. After practicing 
his profession about eighteen months, he came to Salisbury in 



404 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

the autumn of 1827. He married Lydia, daughter of Capt. 
Benjamin Pettengill, and sister of Thomas Hale Pettengill, 
May I, 1826. His wife died November 22, 1842. He subse- 
quently practiced medicine in Lowell and Taunton, Mass., and 
in Oshkosh, Wis., where he died in 1865. His second wife 
was Mrs. Dorothy M. (Pike) Steele, of Cornish, Me. His 
only child, Henriette Ackland Bachelder, born of his first wife, 
at Centre Harbor, September 28, 1827, married March 20, 
1852, Prof. Jonathan Tenney, a graduate of Dartmouth Col- 
lege in 1843, who now resides in Albany, N. Y. 

ABRAHAM HAZEN ROBINSON 

was born in Concord, January 8, 1813 ; prepared for college at 
Phillips Exeter Academy in 1S30; entered the sophomore class 
in Yale College in 1832, and graduated in 1835. In 1836, he com- 
menced the study of medicine with Dr. Timothy Haynes, of Con- 
cord, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1840, opened an office 
in Hillsborough, at the Bridge, and soon after removed to Salis- 
bury into the Moses Eastman house. He had an extensive 
practice, was chosen town clerk in 1849, ^^^ was re-elected 
for five succeeding years. He was a delegate to revise the 
State Constitution in 1850-1, and a representative to the legis- 
lature from this town in 1857-8. He removed to Concord in 
1859. At the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, he 
was appointed assistant surgeon and had charge of the hospi- 
tal department at Concord for three years. He was President 
of the New Hampshire Medical Association in 1867. 

CHARLES B. WILLIS 

removed to Salisbury from Brattleborough, Vt., in the spring 
of 1859, and had an office in the building just west of the 
hotel. He remained in practice in Salisbury till 1863, when 
he removed to Tilton, and soon after entered the army. He 
is naw understood to be in Des Moines, Iowa. 

GEORGE H. TOWLE, 

son of Roby M. Towle, was born in Pittsfield, April 13, 1839,. 



PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS. 4O5 

attended Pittsfield Academy, studied medicine with Dr. John 
Wheeler, of Pittsfield, attended courses of lectures at Dart- 
mouth, Harvard and Bowdoin Medical Colleges, graduating 
from the latter institution in 1865. In July of that year he 
came to Salisbury and settled on the South Road, where he re- 
mained in practice till December, 1868, when he removed to 
Deerfield, where he has since resided, and has had a large 
practice. In 1881 he was elected and served as state senator. 

WARREN W. SLEEPER 

was born at New Hampton, January 22, 1828, received his 
education at the New Hampton Institution, and studied medi- 
cine with Dr. Smith, of Dover, and Dr. O. P. Warren, of Pitts- 
field. He graduated at the Worcester Medical College in 1849 
and commenced practice at Meredith Bridge (Laconia) where 
he continued four years. He then removed to Salisbury. In 
1875, he removed to Franklin, where he is now in practice. 
He married Miss Lizzie Randall. 

EDWARD B. BUXTON, 

youngest child of Charles and Polly Bailey, was born at Dun- 
barton, November 12, 1845. At the age of two years, he was 
adopted by Rev. Edward Bu.xton, a highly respected Congrega- 
tionalist minister of Boscawen ( Webster.) He was educated 
at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, studied medicine with 
Dr. Thomas H. Currie, of Webster, and graduated from Dart- 
mouth Medical School in 1868. He began practice in Green- 
field, Iowa; thence he went to the Illinois Asylum for the In- 
sane. He afterwards practiced at West Concord, Campton, 
Loudon and Derry. In October, 1875, he moved to Salisbury, 
succeeding Dr. Sleeper, and remained till 1875, when he re- 
moved to Concord. Like George Washington, he has returned 
to the cultivation of the ground, and is now carrying on a farm 
at Hill. He married Miss C. VI. Roby, of Fishcrville. 



406 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 



GEORGE PILLSBURY TITCOMB, 

son of Jeremiah and Rebecca Pillsbury Titcomb, was born at 
Boscawen, September 30, 1838, graduated at the Eclectic Med- 
ical College of Pennsylvania, and immediately began the prac- 
tice of medicine at Danbury, in 1859, where he continued till 
the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, when he enlisted 
in the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers. After a service of 
eleven months, he was assigned to the "field hospital" depart- 
ment, and was finally discharged for disability. He returned 
to Danbury, where he continued such practice as his enfeebled 
health would permit, and removed to Salisbury in 1868, where 
he now resides. 

JOHN J. DEARBORN, ^ 

the eldest of two sons of John M. and Ruth E. (Hoit) Dear- 
born, was born in Concord, December 19, 185 1 ; received a 
common school education ; also served three years in a school 
of pharmacy. In 1869 he began the study of medicine under 
Drs. Gage and Conn, of Concord ; attended medical lectures at 
Hanover and at Burlington, Vt., receiving his diploma in 1873, 
in which year he succeeded Dr. Harry M. Dearborn as a physi- 
cian, in Hopkinton. He removed to Salisbury in 1878 and es- 
tablished a good practice. In 1884 he removed to Tilton. 
November 21, 1881, he married Etta J. Bean, only child of 
David G. and Eliza J. (Severance) Bean, of Salisbury. 

WILLIAM RICHARDSON 

was born in Londonderry, February 26, i860. Was brought 
up on a farm, his father being a farmer and lumber manufac- 
turer. In 1880 he began the study of medicine and received 
the degree of M. D. at Dartmouth Medical College, November 
13, 1883. He was married to Miss Esther F. Whidden, of 
Auburn, August 27, 1884, and came to Salisbury, December 
4, 1884, as successor to Dr. John J. Dearborn. 



PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS. 407 



LAWYERS. 

THOMAS WHITE THOMPSON 

was the son of Uea. Thomas Thompson, whose name he bore. 
The name "White" was inserted by authority of the legisla- 
ture as a matter of convenience. He was born March lo, 1766, 
prepared for college at Dummer Academy, liyfield, Mass., 
under the instruction of the venerable Samuel Moody, and 
graduated at Harvard University in 1786. He was aid to Gen. 
Lincoln during the Shays Rebellion. Afterwards, he decided 
to become a clergyman and was enrolled as a student in the 
Andover Theological Seminary, but being appointed tutor in 
Harvard University, he accepted the position, which he occu- 
pied for two years, and gave up his intention of becoming a 
clergyman. He gained the favor of the students and faculty 
of the college by his fine scholarship and courteous manners. 
Upon leaving the position, he studied law in the office of Theo- 
philus Parsons, of Newburyport, Mass., was admitted to the 
bar in 1791, and commenced practice the same year in Salis- 
bury, until about 1799 or later, when he removed to the Lower 
Village. His office was in the Nathaniel Bean house at the 
South Road. He was postmaster from 1798 to 1803, trustee of 
Dartmouth College in 1801, serving until his death; county 
solicitor in 1802; representative to the legislature for one or 
more years following; was elected representative to the ninth 
congress in 1805; was state treasurer in 1810, and removed 
to Concord ; was a member of the house of representatives 
from Concord in 1S13 and 1S14, and was speaker both years. 
The second year, he was chosen United States Senator for 
three years, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of 
Nicholas Oilman. 

Mr. Thompson was not a politician, but a statesman, of re- 
fined manners, superior scholarship, an elegant speaker, a 
learned lawyer, and a christian gentleman. He was a deacon 
of the First Church in Concord at the time of his death in 
182 1. His disease was pulmonary consumption, induced by 
injuries which he accidentally received. 



408 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

His retirement from political life is said to have been occas- 
ioned by his vote in favor of the increase of the pay of mem- 
bers of congress, and all who voted with him on that question 
shared the same fate. A very eloquent address, delivered by 
him at Salisbury on a Fourth of July, was published in pam- 
phlet form, copies of which may possibly be found among some 
of the older families in Salisbury and among historical collec- 
tions. 



PARKER NOYES , 

was born at South Hampton, November i8, 1778, fitted for 
college at Dummer Academy under the same instruction as 
Thomas W. Thompson, graduated at Dartmouth College in 
1796, and read law with Mr. Thompson. He was admitted to 
the bar in September, iSoi, when he removed to Warner and 
commenced practice there, where he remained till 1803. He 
then returned to Salisbury and became the law partner of Mr. 
Thompson. When the latter removed to Concord in 18 10, Mr. 
Noyes bought the interest of Mr. Thompson in Salisbury and 
carried on the business, and eventually took in as partner his 
former law student, George W. Nesmith. He died in August, 
1852. Mr. Noyes was appointed to the bench oi the Supreme 
Court, and was offered the attorney generalship, both of 
which exalted positions he declined, although in early years he 
was county solicitor for a few years. With him " exalted worth 
was elevated place." As a lawyer Mr. Noyes stood in the front 
rank, with Smith, Mason, the Websters, Sullivan, and other 
members of the legal profession who have contributed to the 
renown of New Hampshire. He was personally held in high 
esteem by all his cotemporaries in the State. He was a man 
of " modest merit," and one of the marvels of the world, since 
he neither desired nov sozior/i^ office. In 1805 he married Ellen, 
sister of Thomas W. Thompson, who died in 1827. They had 
three children, but only one, Horace, born in 1808, reached 
mature years. 




£co.f\r JfltnuTpfo. 



PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS. 4O9 



MOSES EASTMAN 

Avas born in Salisbury, August i, 1770, fitted for college under 
the instruction of Rev. Dr. Samuel Wood of Boscawen, grad- 
uated at Dartmouth College in 1794, read law with Thomas W. 
Thompson and was admitted to the bar in 1797. He com- 
menced the practice of law in an office on the site now occupied 
by Mrs. H. C. \V. Moores, at the South Road. He removed to 
Concord in 1826. 

Previous to the formation of a new county, he was clerk of 
the Circuit Court from 18 16 to 1823. Upon the organization 
of Merrimack county he was appointed clerk of the Superior 
Court, and was continued in that office till 1834. He was 
also clerk of the Court of Common Pleas. He returned to 
Salisbury in 1834, and remained there until 1847, when he 
removed to Waltham, Mass., where he died April 19, 1848. 

THOMAS HALE PETTENGILL 

was born in Salisbury in November, 1780, fitted for college at 
Salisbury Academy, and graduated at Dartmouth in 1804 ; read 
law with John Harris of Hopkinton, was admitted to the bar 
in 1808, and opened an office at Canaan, where he remained 
till 1822, when he returned to the place of his nativity and 
purchased the place now occupied by Caleb E. Smith, and con- 
tinued a resident of Salisbury till his death, except two years 
which he spent at Franklin. Mr. Pettengill was a quiet, unas- 
suming gentleman, and was possessed of much wit and pleas- 
antry. His life was active and honorable; he was a wise and 
safe counsellor, and at the time of his decease was one of the 
oldest of the members of the American bar. 

GEORGE WASIUNGTOX NESMITH. 

The first man of much prominence who settled in Mast 
Salisbury, or in Republican Village, was Ebenezer Eastman. 
Thirty years after him came the subject of this sketch. The 
town if Franklin owes him a debt of gratitude for his efforts 



4IO HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

in procuring an act of incorporation, and for much of the growth 
and development of the natural advantages of the town. 

He was born in Antrim, October 23, 1800, and graduated at 
Dartmouth College in 1820. In August, 1822, he removed 
to Salisbury, and began the study of the law with Parker 
Noyes; was admitted to the bar in 1825, and formed a part- 
nership with Mr. Noyes, who, at the end of the year, withdrew 
from practice, thus giving Mr. Nesmith an extensive business. 
In April, 1829, he removed to what is now Franklin Village. 
In the formation of the town his efforts were earnest and 
unceasing. He wrote the charter, and dictated the name of 
the town. He has held all the offices in the town, and has 
been many times a member of the Legislature. With unusu- 
ally good foresight he enlisted in the railroad enterprise, and 
secured the right of way for the Northern railroad to pass 
through Frankhn. He was its president for eight years, and a 
director from its organization, in 1845. He has been trustee 
of his alma mater since 1858, and a trustee of the Agricultural 
College since its establishment in 1866, and its president since 
1877. Dartmouth College conferred the degree of LL. D. upon 
him in 1871. In the Orphans' Home, at Lower Franklin, he 
takes a deep interest. He was Associate Justice of the Su- 
preme Judicial Court for eleven years, and until he reached the 
limit which the psalmist has assigned to manly life. He mar- 
ried, September 26, 1826, Mary M., daughter of Samuel and 
Annie (Bedel) Brooks, born at Haverhill, July 8, 1799, who died 
May 31, 1885. 

RICHARD FLETCHER 

was born at Cavendish, Vt., January 8, 1788. He was a son of 
Asaph and Sarah (Green) Fletcher, and graduated at Dartmouth 
College in 1806. He came to Salisbury to teach in the academy, 
and taught two, years, and at the same time pursued the study 
of the law. After teaching two years he went to Portsmouth 
and read law with Daniel Webster. While there, in a letter to 
Rev. Mr. Worcester, dated April 22, 1808, he says: "I have 
but few changes in the even road of a student's life, and am 



PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS. 4I I 

pleasantly situated in an agreeable family." In 1809, Mr. 
Fletcher returned to Salisbury, and commenced the practice of 
his profession at the South Road, where his success was soon 
assured, and he rapidly rose to the position of one of the first 
advocates at the bar. While in Salisbury he was found in 
nearly every good work, and was a patron of many a poor boy 
who was climbing " the hill of science." To scholastic and 
literary institutions he rendered material assistance, not only 
giving his personal attention thereto, but lending pecuniary 
aid. He was made an honorary member of the Literary Adel- 
phi, in July, 1813. While at Salisbury he had his oflfice at the 
South Road, over Samuel Greenleaf's store. In 18 19 he 
removed to Boston, and there remained till his death. He was 
"an orator of great power, fluent and eloquent in diction, 
bright and sparkling in speech, and quick at repartee." ( Fletch- 
er Genealogy, p. 173.) William Pingree said of him : " I once 
listened to a legal argument from him, of an hour's duration, 
which was the most learned and powerful that I ever heard 
from human lips." He had little to do with political life, 
although he was a member of Congress from Massachusetts 
from 1837 to 1839. H^ ^^'^s elected deacon of the church, but 
either declined or resigned the office because he was not scrip- 
turally qualified. The scripture required that he should have 
"one wife," and he never had any ; he died a bachelor. In 1848 
he was appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts a Judge 
of the Supreme Court of that State, which position he resigned 
in 1853. Dartmouth College, in 1826, and Harvard University, 
in 1849, conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. He was a 
trustee of Dartmouth from 1848 to 1857, and in his will made 
the college a very liberal bequest. Upon his retirement from 
the bench he withdrew from public life, and spent the remain- 
der of his days in study. 

SAMUEL ISRAEL WELLS 

was the son of Israel and Lucy ( Lyon ) Wells, and was born in 
Shelburn, Mass. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 18 14, 
and taught the academy in Salisbury a number of terms. He 



412 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

read law with Richard Fletcher at Salisbury, and was admitted 
to the bar in 1819. He opened an office in Salisbury, and was 
in practice there till 1836, when he removed to Windham, Me., 
thence to Alabama, where he taught school. He married, at 
Windham, Miss Lucy Kellogg, a lady of much literary merit, 
and a writer of Sunday school books, her father being a minis- 
ter. In the class with him in college were many students who 
attained eminence in the varied stations of life. He stood first 
in his class, and delivered the valedictory at commencement. 
He was an excellent scholar, possessed of a most wonderful 
memory, and was fitted for any judicial position in the State. 
However accomplished he was as a lawyer, a scholar, and a 
gentleman, he had none of the power and arts of an advocate. 
Courteous in the extreme, he never used bravado, and never 
tried to brow-beat a witness, and he treated his brethren with 
studied politeness. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 



ANTIQUITIES. 



"He had a routh of old nicknackets, 
Rusty airn caps, and jinglin' jackets, 
And parritch-pots, and old saut buckets, 
Afore the flude." 



THE FIRST CHILD 



born in town was undoubtedly John Call, son of Stephen Call. 
He owed his preservation to his mother, who took him in her 
arms, when an infant, and hid with him behind the large chim- 
ney in her house, at the Lower Village, at the time the Indians 
made their raid upon Stevenstown, and murdered the wife of 
Philip Call, the mother of Stephen. 

STOVES. 

The first stoves, of which there is evidence of use in the town, 
appear to have been in 1803, when Moses Eastman purchased 
a brick stove for the South Road school district, he guarantee- 
ing it safe, and the district being responsible for its good use, 
and paying $25.00. This same year Reuben True charged the 
town for the use of a stove. 

THE FIRST PIANO 

which was brought into Salisbury was owned by Daniel .Bart- 
lett, when he was a trader in Grafton, about 1826. It was here 
that President Samuel C. Bartlett, while on a visit to his uncle 
in 1827, fingered the keys and obtained melodious music, 
exciting much wonderment in his youthful mind. His uncle 
was called "a good player." On the removal of Dr. Peter 
Bartlett to Peoria, 111., in 1836, it was brought to Salisbury by 



414 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Ichabod Bartlett, and placed in the old Bartlett homestead, in 
the front room, where it excited much curiosity. This was 
then the residence of the mother. At her death, in 1839, 
Ichabod presented it to Moses Eastman, who, on his removal 
to Massachusetts, in 1846, left it in charge of Dr. A. H. Rob- 
inson. Dr. Robinson took the "music" all out of it, and now 
uses it as a side-board (1886). 

FIRST CLOCK. 

Before clocks came into use, sun-dials were used. These 
were made of marble or pewter, with a triangular upright piece 
to throw the shadow, when the sun shone, upon the different 
figures and lines of the dial, so as to indicate the time of day. 
This upright piece was called the " gnomon " or " pin of the 
dial." This was placed on the meridian line, and the shadow, 
cast upon the graduated circumference, would indicate the 
hours and minutes. These were useless in the night time and 
on cloudy days, but exact when the sun shone. 

The earliest clocks were of English manufacture, and very 
expensive. David Blaisdell, of Amesbury, born in 1712, was a 
clockmaker, as was his son, Isaac, a resident of Chester. One 
of his clocks is owned by his descendant, Isaac Blaisdell, of 
Salisbury. These clocks were of brass, and heavily made, and 
run but one day without winding up. One line and one weight 
operated as a mainspring for both time and striking. The first 
clock brought into Salisbury belonged to the wife of Robert 
Smith. Her father made a wedding present of it to her, and 
it was brought to Salisbury on horseback. It still keeps most 
excellent time, and is owned by Gilbert Eastman, a descendant 
of Mrs. Smith on his mother's side. 

WATCHES. 

A watch was a rare institution in Salisbury in the early set- 
tlement of the town. In 1765 Capt. Jethro Sanborn purchased 
in England an English bull's-eye watch, for which he paid fifty 
Spanish milled dollars. This watch came by will to the pos- 
session of Mrs. Searle, wife of Rev. Jonathan Searle. She 



ANTIQUITIES. 4I5 

presented it to her daughter, Margarette, who afterwards 
became the wife of Benjamin Rolfe, of Boscawen. She gave 
it to her son, Enoch Sanborn Rolfe, who was named for his 
great-grandfather Sanborn. Upon the decease of Enoch San- 
born, by direction of the mother, the watch came into the 
possession of her son, Henry Pearson Rolfe, of Concord, in 
1 88 1, and is now owned by him ; but many years ago, 
" Tt stopped, short, never t<i go again." 

CHAISES, 

It is said that the first chaise owned in town belonged to 
Thomas W. Thompson. In 1804 he purchased a new one. 
During his residence in Concord, to which place he removed 
from Salisbury, he owned the finest one in town, and it was 
such a curiosity that people traveled many miles to see it. In 
1804, the following persons were taxed for chaises : Andrew 
Bowers, Samuel Greenleaf, Thomas W. Thompson, Reuben 
True ; and in 1806, in addition to the above, Mrs. Hannah 
Bartlett, Ebenezer Eastman, John C. Gale, Stephen Greenleaf, 
Joseph Noyes, Edward Blodgett, David Pettengill, Josiah Rog- 
ers, Ebenezer Taylor, and Mrs. Sarah Smith. Persons going 
upon journeys swung their trunks under the axle of the chaise 
by straps placed upon the trunks for that purpose, but they had 
no "Saratogas " at that time. 

WAGONS. 

Wagons came into use after chaises. In the earliest settle- 
ment of the town, the journcyings were on horseback, and in 
carts, and on sleds. By and by chaises were used, but only by 
the select few. At length wagons were introduced, and they 
were a very little improvement upon the ox-cart. They came 
into pretty general use in Salisbury as early as 18 15. The light 
wagons, as they were termed, were rather rough and heavy, 
without thorough-braces or springs, and the body rested on the 
axletrec behind, and the rocker-bar forward. There were 
springs for the seat to rest on, made of wood, but the occu- 



4l6 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

pants were constantly, if not painfully, reminded of the rough- 
ness of the roads. Moses Greeley owned the first wagon 
which was fitted with thorough-braces. Before chaises and 
wagons came into use it was no uncommon sight to see 
man and wife and one child traveling on horseback, the wife 
sitting behind the man upon the pillion, carrying the child, and 
a pair of saddle-bags slung across the horse, filled with provis- 
ions. The early settlers came from Massachusetts, with their 
household goods on the pack-horse. Daniel Webster went to 
Dartmouth College on horseback, and carried his feather-bed 
and bedding, his clothing, books, and provisions to eat on the 
way, on horseback. It is said that when he reached Hanover, 
he turned his horse to pasture, and had him to ride home at 
the end of the term in November. 

As the ox-sled preceded the cart, so sleighs for traveling 
preceded the wagons. The first sleigh in town of which there 
is any trace was owned by the father of Daniel Webster. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 



THE TORNADO. 

" The sky 
Is overcast, and musters muttering thunders. 
In clouds that seem approaching fast, and then 
In forked flashes a commanding tempest." 

General Walter Harriman, in his History of Warner, says 
that "the winged messenger of death, which bore down through 
Warner that fatal day of September, 1821, was a tornado, and 
so let it hereafter be forever known." It is immaterial whether 
it be called a blizzard, a cyclone, a whirlwind, or a tornado. It 
seized the fowls, the animals, the people and their habitations, 
and whirled and tossed them about as a very little thing. It 
stripped the trees of their branches and twisted off their trunks ; 
it rended the forests, and it spared little that stood in its way, 
leaving nothing in its remorseless track but death and desola- 
tion. The day and the hour when this visitation occurred was 
September 9, i82i,at about five o'clock in the afternoon. For 
several days previous, it was warm, and the 9th was sultry. 

"All the air a solemn stillness held,'' 

till about five o'clock, when a black cloud was observed to rise 
rapidly in the northwest, and to bear in a southeasterly direc- 
tion. All of a sudden there were violent agitations in the 
atmosphere in that vicinity. This cloud was charged with 
thunderbolts, and it was illumined in its course by incessant 
and vivid flashes of lightning. This cloud was portentous of 
evil, and in it there was a most terrifying commotion, which 
gave warning of fearful desolation. A high wind prevailed as 
27 



4l8 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

far back as Lake Champlain, but it acquired no distinctive force 
till it passed over Grantham and Croydon mountains. In Croy- 
don, the house of Deacon Cooper was shattered, and his barn 
was torn to atoms, and, with its contents, was entirely swept 
away. No other buildings were directly in its narrow path till 
it reached nearly to Sunapee lake. Here it struck the farm 
and buildings of John H. Huntoon, in Wendell, now Sunapee. 
There were eight persons in the house. They all beheld the 
frightful appearance of the clouds ; had seen the air before it 
filled with birds and the broken limbs of trees and rubbish of 
all kinds ; but there had not been much time for reflection or 
for seeking safety. The tornado, after a moment's warning, 
was upon them and the house and the two barns were instantly 
prostrated to the ground. A broadside of the house fell upon 
Mr. Huntoon and his wife, who were standing in the kitchen. 
The next moment it was blown off and dashed to pieces. Mrs. 
Huntoon was swept at least ten rods from the house. A child 
•eleven months old was sleeping on a bed in the west room ; 
tbe dress it wore was soon after found in the lake, a hundred 
and fifty rods from the house, but the child could not be found. 
The Wednesday following its mangled body was picked up on 
the shore of the lake, whither it had floated on the waves. 
The bedstead, on which the child was sleeping, was found in 
the woods eighty rods from the house, northerly, and clear out 
of the track of the cyclone. The other seven persons of the 
household were injured, but none of them died. Every tree in 
a forty acre lot of woodland was leveled with the ground. A 
bureau was blown across the lake. A horse was dashed against 
a rock and killed. 

The tornado passed across Sunapee lake, drawing up into its 
bosom vast quantities of water. New London suffered a loss 
of property estimated at $9,000. Eight or ten barns, five or 
six houses, and many outbuildings were entirely or partially 
destroyed in that town. From New London the tornado passed 
across the northerly part of Sutton, cutting a swath through 
the forests which is visible to this day ; but it did not come in 
contact with any buildings. It bore up on the northwest side 



THE TORNADO. 4I9 

of Kearsarge mountain, apparently in two columns. In pitch- 
ing down over the mountain into the Gore, the two columns 
merged into one, and came crushing along with renewed force. 
The thunders rolled fearfully, the forked lightning flashed on 
the dark background, and the flood was driven with the gale. 
In this valley, between the two spurs of the mountain, stood 
seven dwelling-houses. The tornado first struck the barn of 
William Harwood, and demolished that ; passing onward, its 
outer limits came in contact with the houses of M. F. Goodwin, 
James Ferrin, and Abner Watkins. All these houses were 
damaged. Ferrin's barn was destroyed, and Watkins's unroofed. 
The late Stephen N. Ferrin, of Warner, said that on a fence 
were a flock of turkeys more than half grown, about fifteen in 
number. These were caught up and whirled away, and no trace 
of any one of them could ever be found, neither feathers nor 
anything else. Next in the line of march stood Daniel Sav- 
ory's house. Hearing a frightful rumbling in the heavens, Mr. 
Samuel Savory, aged seventy-two, the father of the proprietor 
(who was away ), hastened up stairs to close the windows. 
The women started to his assistance, when the house whirled 
and instantly rose above their heads, while what was left be- 
hind, timbers, bricks, etc., almost literally buried six of the 
family in the ruins. The body of the aged Samuel Savory was 
found at a distance of six rods from the house, where he had 
been dashed against a stone and instantly killed. His wife was 
severely injured. Mrs. Daniel Savory was fearfully bruised in 
the head, arms and breast, and an infant she held in her arms 
was instantly killed. The house of Robert Savory stood very 
near this place, and that also was utterly demolished. Mrs. 
Savory and the children, six in number, were buried together 
under the bricks and rubbish. Some of them were severely 
injured, but none killed. Not only the houses, but the barns 
and outbuildings at the two Savory places, were utterly cleaned 
out ; not one stone was left upon another. Trees, fences, hay, 
grain, boards, shingles, the legs, wings and heads of fowls filled 
the air. Crops were swept off clean ; stone walls were thrown 
down, and stones partly buried in the earth were upturned. 



420 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Trees of every description were denuded of their branches^ 
twisted off at the trunk, or torn up at the roots. There were 
twenty-five hives of bees at the Robert Savory place, perhaps 
the property of both families ; these were swept out of sight in 
an instant. The ground was sweetened with honey for half a 
mile, but no hive and no sign of a bee was ever afterwards seen. 
The Savorys and Abner Watkins had caught a noble old bear 
on the mountain, and had chained him to a sill of Robert Sav- 
ory's barn, intending to exhibit him at the muster which was 
to occur on the loth of September, back of George Savory's 
house. Though the barn was entirely destroyed to its founda- 
tion, the sill to which the bear was chained, being a cross sill, 
and sunk into the ground, remained in its place, and the bear 
was unhurt, but he had the good sense not to show himself on 
the muster field the next day. 

Joseph Palmer, who lived up to the eastward of the Savorys 
a third of a mile, saw the cloud, in shape like a tunnel inverted, 
and the air filled with leaves, limbs, shrubbery, quilts, beds, 
clothing, crockery, aud almost every conceivable thing. He 
heard the ominous rumbling, and sprang to enter the house, 
with the purpose of fleeing with his wife to the cellar. He got 
the door but partly open when the house gave way, burying 
Mrs. Palmer under the debris, and inflicting upon her serious 
injuries. In this valley between the hills, everything in the 
direct course of the tornado was rooted out. Bridges made of 
logs were scattered in every direction, timbers being thrown to 
the right and left, and even to the rear, as well as to the front. 

The tornado passed on over the next spur of the mountain, 
two and a half miles, and then bore down upon the houses of 
Peter Flanders, in Warner, and Deacon Joseph True, in Salis- 
bury. Peter Flanders was the father of True and Eben Flan- 
ders, the latter of whom occupied the old homestead in 1880. 
Deacon True was the father-in-law of a Mr. Jones. Jones and 
his wife were on a visit to True's. Being at the door, they were 
apprised of the danger, and called out lustily to the family to 
seek refuge as best they could. The buildings were whirled 
aloft and torn into fragments, falling around the family like 



THE TORNADO. 421 

missiles of death ; but no one at this house was killed outright. 
The buildings of Mr. Flanders were also scattered like chaff, 
the violence of the gale being unabated. Anna Richardson, an 
elderly woman calling on Mrs. Flanders, and a child of the lat- 
ter, were crushed to death. Several others were grievously 
wounded, one of whom, a child of Mr. True, died of its injuries 
a short time afterwards. From here this remarkable cyclone 
passed on over Tucker's pond, drawing up vast sheets of water 
from its surface, and after destroying the house of Mr. Mor- 
rill, near Boscawen line, in Salisbury, it lifted itself into the 
heavens and vanished. 

Peter Flanders says that this day the family had been baking, 
and the bricks were hot, and the chimney falling on three of 
the children, so injured one of them, a girl, that she died that 
night, and so burned another, a boy aged five years, about the 
legs that the sores caused thereby did not fully heal for seven 
years, and he was made a cripple through life. The third child 
was uninjured. At the time the tornado struck Peter Flanders's 
house he was standing at the west of the chimney by the jamb 
and close to the cellar door. His son True was standing in 
front of the fire-place. The child Phebe was asleep on the bed, 
and Mrs. Flanders and Mrs. Richardson were east of the chim- 
ney. The building being borne completely away, Mr. Flanders 
■was found with his feet partly down the cellar stairs, partially 
paralyzed, from which shock he did not recover for some si.\ 
months. The son. True, was thrown into the fire-place (the 
fire being out after dinner) and was not injured. The girl, 
Phebe, (now Mrs. Augustus Pettengill) was carried with the 
feather bed and dropped some rods from the house, and one 
arm was broken. Mrs. Flanders was thrown to the floor and 
Mrs. Richardson on top of her, and a large stick of timber was 
found upon Mrs. Richardson. Her arms and legs were broken, 
and she sustained other injuries, from which she died in 
half an hour. Mrs. PManders was the daughter of Jabez and 
sister of Joseph True, and was so badly injured about the head 
that she never recovered. Mrs. Richardson resided over a mile 
away on the road to the Gore, and was at this house for milk. 



422 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

The amount of damage suffered by this tornado was ap- 
praised to each, and a subscription in the several towns was 
raised for their relief, as will appear by the following bill and 
subscription list. .It will be seen that the greatest sufferers 
were the two Savorys, in Warner, and the Trues, father and 
son, in Salisbury ; and that Joseph True was the greatest indi- 
vidual sufferer. 

In 1869, General Walter Harriman addressed a mass meeting 
in Painesville, Ohio. At its close an old gentleman, whose 
form was bent with age, and whose head was bowed with sor- 
row, came forward and made himself known as Mr. Huntoon, 
the father of the child that was destroyed in Wendell, N. H., 
in the tornado of 1821. He had left the shores of Sunapee 
and the devastated track of the tornado fifty years before, and 
made him a home in Ohio. Soon after this meeting with Gen- 
eral Harriman, he escaped from the storms and the blasts of 
this life, and went to a land of peace and safety. 

SUFFERERS IN SALISBURY. 

The following is the list of subscriptions for the relief of the 
sufferers by the tornado in Salisbury : 



Samuel Eaton, 


$H 


00 


Benjamin Howard, Jr., 


50 


Moses (Jreeley, 


8 


00 


Daniel Fellows, 


2 00 


John Greelej', 


4 


GO 


Stevens Mann, 


2 00 


Paul Greeley, 


^ 


GO 


Reuben Wardwell, 


2 CO 


John Greeley, 


I 


GO 


Moses Eastman, 


4 00 


Samuel Greeley, 


7 


00 


Daniel Smith, 


2 00 


Jacob Greeley, 


2 


GO 


Francis Little, 


50 


Isaac Stevens, 


3 


00 


Edward Baker, 


I 00 


Nathaniel Stevens, 


2 


GO 


Joseph Bean, 


I 00 


Job Heath, 


2 


GO 


John Calef, 


I GO 


Abial Wardwell, 


2 


50 


Peter Whittemore, 


50 


James Fellows, 


I 


00 


ISenjamin Whittemore, 


I GO 


iVIoses Call, 


I 


50 


Joseph Bean, Jr., 


75 


Aroses Fellows, 


3 


OG 


John Sanborn, 


2 00 


Benjamin Pettengill, 2d, 


4 


GO 


John Webster, 


5 00 


Jeremy Webster, 


2 


50 


John Townsend, 


2 00 


Robert Greenough, 




50 


Jacob Brown, 


I 00 


Joel Eastman, 


4 


GO 


William Calef, 


I GO 


Peter Bartlett, 


2 


GO 


Hawley & Gilman, 


2 00 


David Pettengill, 




50 


William Flander.s, 


2 GO 



THE TORNADO, 



425 



Samuel Quimby, 


50 


15enjaniin Iluntoon, 


2 25 


Winthrop Fifield, 


I 00 


T. K. Grcenough, 


I 00 


James Garland, 


:: 00 


John White, 


2 00 


Ebenezer Eastman, 


2 00 


A. Bowers, 


7 00 


James Proctor, 


' 50 


P. Noyes, 


2 00 


Isaac I'roctor, 


I 50 


Jonathan Calef, 


I 00 


Kendall O. Teabody, 


I 00 


John Bean, 


I 00 


John Sanborn, 


2 00 


(Ireenleaf Morse, 


I 00 


John Hancock, 


50 


David Calef, 


1 00 


William Ladd, 


2 00 


William IJttle, 


2 00 


Jacob True, 


4 00 


Israel W. Key, 


I 00 


Jabez Smith, 


4 00 


Moses West, 


I 00 


Isaac Hale, 


50 


S. I. Wells, 


2 00 


Stephen CIreenleaf, 


t 00 


James Woodbury, 


2 00 


Mrs. Phineas Eastman, 


I GO 


Joseph Burley, 


. 87 


Thorndike Proctor, 


2 00 


H. T. Sawyer, 


67 


Nathaniel French, 


2 CO 


Joshua Fifield, 


I 00 


Enoch Osgood, 


2 DO 


Samuel Couch, 


I 50 


l!enjamin Gale, 


10 00 


Timothy Taylor, 


2 00 


Samuel Iluntoon, 


1 CO 







LOSSES IN WAKNEK AND SALISBURY. 

The following are the names of the sufferers by the "whirl- 
wind " in Warner and Salisbury, on the 9th of September, 1821, 
with the amounts lost, as appraised by the committee: 



Foster Goodwin, 
William Harwood, 
James Fcrrin, 
Samuel Tiler, 
I.orra Little, 
Ruth Cloodwin, 
Charlotte (Joodwin, 
.\bner Watkins, Jr., 
Widow .Savory, 
I )aniel Savorj', 
Robert .Savory, 
John J. Palmer, 



$43 o<J Joseph True, SSoo oo 

75 00 Peter Flanders, 75S oo 

194 00 Jonathan Morrill, S5 00 

5 00 Ezekiel Flanders, 30 00 
20 00 Benjamin and Jesse Little, 200 00 

6 00 James B. Straw, 50 00 
6 00 Nathaniel Greeley, 100 00 

350 00 Moses Stevens, 10 00 

ICO 00 Jabez True, 100 00 

675 00 Enoch Morrill, 20 cx> 

775 00 W. Huntington, 20 00 

100 00 Michael Bartlett, 10 00 



As a contribution for the relief of the sufferers sundry arti- 
cles were sent from the Shakers to l^enj. Kvans, Esq., and by 
him divided. The value of these Shaker goods was estimated 
at $134.72. Various other sums were received and divided by 
the committee from time to time, amounting in the aggregate 
to the sum of $501.04. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



WHIPPING THE CAT, ETC. 

" Few save the poor feel for the poor; 

The rich know not how hard 
It is to be of needful rest, 

And needful food debarred : 
They know not of the scanty meal, 

With small pale faces round ; 
No fire upon the cold damp earth 

When snow is on the ground.'" 

In early times, and as late as 1835-6, and perhaps later, shoe- 
makers were accustomed to take their benches, lap-stone, 
clamps, lasts, and kit of tools, and go from house to house and 
mend up the old boots and shoes, and make new ones for the 
whole family for a year. "Sale shoes" were little used, previ- 
ous to 1825, in the town of Salisbury. Farmers would take 
their cow-hides and calf-skins to the tanner, one year, and the 
next year they would be tanned and returned to them. Sole 
leather would be purchased by the side, and when the shoemak- 
er came around, shoes and boots would be made for the year. 
The shoemaker, who went from house to house in this way, 
" went about iv]iippi)ig the cat.'' 

About 1828, there lived in Salisbury two brothers, Amos and 
Eben Whittemore. Eben lived at Shaw's Corner, in what is 
now Franklin. He was very poor, and had a large family of 
children, sixteen in number, ranging from six months to nine- 
teen years of age. He was lame, and walked with some diffi- 
culty, and his hands were somewhat deformed. He was an 
indifferent shoemaker, but on account of his misfortunes, his 
poverty, and his large family, he "went about whipping the cat," 
and was quite extensively employed in Salisbury and the neigh- 
boring towns. He was a story teller, and the people were fond 
of having him tell stories, especially the young boys. He 
lived in a rude house, with two rooms and an attic. In one 



WHIPPING THK CAT. 425 

room down stairs he lived with his family, his "turn-up bed" 
and his " trundle bed," and here he carried on his trade of cob- 
bling and making boots and shoes, when not away " whipping 
the cat." His worldly possessions consisted of his shoemaker 
tools, worth fifteen dollars perhaps, and his household goods, 
worth twenty more. He "did not own an inch of land on earth." 
He had a cow and a pig. 

His brother, Amos, lived on the southeastern slope of Rac- 
coon Hill, about two miles and a half away from his brother 
Eben. He was a fore-handed farmer, with a small family, and 
was exceedingly fond of the law. The road between the two 
brothers led directly over Searle's Hill. 

During the hard winter, Eben, who had the nick-name of 
*' Cain," mortgaged his " farrow cow " to his brother to buy food 
for his family, promising faithfully to pay in the spring ; but 
spring came and no money could be had. Amos demanded the 
cow in payment. Eben told him he had no money, and needed 
the milk of his cow for his little children, and asked his broth- 
er's forbearance ; but his heart was hard, and amidst the cries 
of the little children, and the tears of the older ones, "the well- 
to-do " brother, the hard-hearted uncle, drove away the mother- 
ly, white-face, line-back cow, whose milk had been largely the 
support of the family through the winter. Eben went imme- 
diately to the young lawyer who had just set up in Salisbury, 
George V\^ Nesmith, to see what could be done about it. What 
advice the young attorney gave him, history does not inform us ; 
but the next night being dark, I^ben hobbled up over Searle's 
Hill to his brother's barn, and there, in the yard, discovered 
the welcome white face of his cow. The bars were quietly let 
down, and the cow immediately struck out for Shaw's Corner, 
which she soon reached. When Eben, following on after, 
reached his home and found his cow there, he took her into his 
house and locked her up. The mortgage gave the right " to 
enter into the dwelling-house and take " the mortgaged prop- 
erty. Soon Amos came again for his brother's cow, broke into 
the house and led her away, and for a time kept her locked up 
in his barn at night, and turned her to pasture during the day. 



426 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Locking the barn soon came to be an old story, and the covv^ 
in the warm spring-time, was kept in the barn-yard. 

By-and-by Eben went to the home of Abraham Stevens " to 
whip the cat." Stevens then lived on the Webster place. Elms 
Farm, four and a half miles from the residence of his brother 
Amos. 

Stevens had a horse which ran in the road, and no one, ex- 
cept the members of the family, could catch him, and then not 
without a measure of grain. It was simply impossible for 
Eben to limp, during one short night in the summer, from the 
Webster farm to Raccoon Hill and back, over Smith's and 
Searle's Hills. 

When it was ascertained that the cow was left at night loose 
in the yard, Eben again visited the young lawyer, and history 
is again silent as to what advice the poor man received. 

He went back to Mr. Stevens's, and went to cobbling up the 
boots and shoes of the family. When night came on apace, 
the Stevens boys and the hired men, four of them, went up to 
bed ; and soon Eben went hobbling up, and passed directly by 
the room where the four young men were awake in bed. He 
looked in upon them, told them several stories, and then went 
singing some " doleful ditty " to his room and to bed. The 
young men were soon lost in sleep. 

Had some one been looking about that house that night,, 
about half past nine o'clock, he might have seen the venerable 
father of the Stevens boys slipping out of the house with a 
little measure of grain and a bridle concealed behind him, and 
slying up to the wary " Old Dobbin," till he got hold of his 
mane, and then slipping the bridle upon him. A few minutes 
later, the horse might have been seen tied by the roadside, "all 
saddled, all bridled, all fit for a" — ride to Raccoon Hill. Anon 
this fleet and trusty steed, with " Cain " Whittemore, the lame 
cobbler, astride of him, might have been seen flying over Punch 
Brook, up by the site of the Webster saw-mill, past Shaw's 
Corner, close by his sleeping children, — unconscious of his near 
presence — up over Searle's Hill, to near the home of the un- 
natural brother. About midnight, the same charger, with the 



WHIFl'lNG THK CAT. 42/ 

same rider, leading the willing and obedient cow, might have 
been seen in the darkness passing along the new road from 
Shaw's Corner to the East Village, where a pot of black paint 
had .been seasonably prepared, which changed the emblem of 
innocence in the cow's face and on her back, so that it corres- 
ponded with the intense darkness of the night. On the oppo- 
site side of the Pemigewasset, in Sanbornton, in a green, retired 
pasture, about three o'clock in the morning, a perfectly black 
cow might have been seen lying down to rest, while the horse, 
with his rider, was making the trees and fences'fly past him, 
like clouds by the moon, on his return to the house of Daniel 
Webster, the home of Mr. Stevens. The following handbill 
soon appeared : 

.STR.WED OR STOLEN 
From the premises of Amos Whittemore, in Salisbury, on Raccoon Hill, a large 
black cow, with white face, and a broad white line on her back. Whoever will 
return said cow, or give information where she may be found, shall be suitably 
rewarded. .\mo.s \Viiirn;.MORE. 

Salisbury, July 20. 

After the most extensive search for the cow, all efforts to 
find her were given up. No such strange cow had been seen, 
no such stray cow could be found, and Amos prosecuted his 
brother for stealing the cow. Richard Fletcher instituted the 
prosecution, and young lawyer Nesmith appeared for the 
respondent. All the four young men were summoned for the 
prosecution, and testified that they saw Eben when he went up 
to bed on the night the cow went away, heard him tell several 
stories, and heard him when he went singing to bed, and saw 
him the next morning when he went down early to his work, 
and heard his hammer upon his lap-stone. The sons testified 
that it was impossible for any one, except the father and the 
sons and hired men, to catch the horse, Mr. F'letcher did not 
think to summon the father. ICben was acquitted and dis- 
charged. 

In "green pastures beside the still waters" of Sanbornton 
the black cow " waxed and grew fat," and in the following win- 
ter the family of Eben had meat to eat that his brother Amos 
knew not of. 



428 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Some time afterwards, Mr. Nesmith was employed by Amos 
Whittemore to contest a note held by the estate of Ezekiel 
Webster. Whittemore claimed that he had paid the note, ex- 
cept a few dollars, and the case was referred to Moody K*ent, 
of Concord. Mr. Nesmith conducted his defense to a success- 
ful issue. Whittemore proposed to Mr. Nesmith that he would 
release his brother from all claims, and pay the attorney's bill 
which his brother had been unable to pay, if Mr. Nesmith 
would tell him what became of the cow. The history of the 
cow was thereupon fully detailed to him. 

THE LOST TREASURE. 

Another story of early days must not be omitted from our 
history. It is here briefly told : 

George W. Nesmith settled at the East, or Pemigewasset 
Village, but was soon very well known throughout the town. 
He was a man of familiar, pleasant manners, and soon made 
extensive and agreeable acquaintances, not only in the town 
but in the State. There lived, at the South Road, Moses Green- 
ough, who had a singular foot that was noticeable, like Mr. 
Nesmith's, and the controversy about taking part of Salisbury 
for the new town of Franklin made Mr. Nesmith as well known 
at the South Road as any resident there. He frequently tried 
cases before Andrew Bowers, who lived in the house on the 
corner of the South and Mutton Roads. It was before Justice 
Bowers that Eben Whittemore was tried for stealing the 
"black, white-face, line-back cow." In 1824 he delivered the 
Fourth of July oration at the South Road. Justice Bowers 
had a little smoke-house in the southeast corner of his door- 
yard where he smoked his hams. One morning early, he went 
out to build his little cob fire in the smoke-house, and found 
one ham missing. The ground was soft, and there were sure 
indications that Moses Greenough's club foot had been to his 
smoke-house, and had gone back down the road towards his 
residence. Squire Bowers followed the track to Greenough's 
house, knocked at the door, and Moses appeared and greeted 
the justice with a most bland smile, and gave him a very gra 



THE LOST TREASURE. 429 

cious invitation to walk in. Justice Bovvers said he had called 
to see his neighbor Greenough, to get a little assistance. Said 
he, " Last night I lost a very nice ham out of my smoke-house, 
and I called to see you, Moses, in the hope that you might help 
to me find it." "Certainly," said Moses; "anything I can do 
to assist you to find your ham, I will be most happy to do." So 
Justice Bowers and Moses marched back to the smoke-house, 
and when within a few feet of the door, a track was pointed out 
that no one in the town of Salisbury could make but Moses 
himself. "Now, Moses," said the. justice, "won't you e.xamine 
that track, as it leads up to the door and goes away again, and 
see if you can tell me who has taken my ham." "Yes," says 
Moses, " I can tell you who has got that ham. It's Nesmith, 
down to Franklin." 

The ne.xt morning the gracious justice, when he opened his 
smoke-house, found his lost ham hanging up in the same place 
where it had disappeared the morning before. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 



VISIT OF HIS SATANIC MAJESTY. 

" From his brimstone bed, at break of day 
A-walking the Devil is gone, 
To visit his snug little farm on the earth 
And see how his stock goes on." 

We read of the superstitions of earlier times and the enormi- 
ties practiced in church and state ; of the judicial murders of 
the innocent and helpless, both in this country and in England, 
who were charged with witchcraft, and we little realize how 
near that age of bigotry and superstition comes to us ; but we 
have learned that our forefathers, like the ancient Bereans, were 
too religious — the apostle said, "too superstitious." 

As late as the final adoption of our most excellent constitu- 
tion, which stood the test of time for sixty-six years without an 
alteration, and for ninety-three years with but a single amend- 
ment, an occurrence happened in Salisbury which is strange to 
relate. The incidents recorded below were taken from the 
diary of the late Asa Reddington, of Waterville, Me., who was 
a revolutionary soldier. He was at work at the time for a Mr. 
Greeley, in Salisbury. 

An elderly lady by the name of Kailey, of whom it was said 
she loved toddy, happened to be at the barn one day when there 
came up a heavy shower, accompanied with loud thunder and 
vivid flashes of lightning, during which period the Prince of 
Darkness appeared unto her. In consideration of some valuable 
promises made to her, she entered into a contract with him, 
agreeing to give herself up both soul and body to his Infernal 
Majesty, on a certain hour of a certain day, and in about six 
days after this interview. When the storm was over the good 



VISIT OF HIS SATANIC MAjESTV. 43 1 

old lady returned to the house and gave the members of the 
household a history of what had taken place, adding that she 
had signed and sealed the contract with her blood, showing the 
wound on her finger from which the blood was drawn. Her 
friends were exceedingly alarmed at the dreadful story, and the 
news spread like wildfire both far and near. What could be 
done to save her.^ Notice was immediately given to Mr. Searle, 
the then settled minister of the town, and like a good shepherd 
he at once determined to defeat the Evil One, if possible. Ac- 
cordingly, on the Sabbath following he mentioned the appalling 
circumstances to the congregation, and with tears in his eyes 
told them ( Reddington being one of his hearers) that the Prince 
of Darkness had appeared in bodily shape to one of his parish- 
ioners, and on a certain day was to make his appearance, accord- 
ing to contract, and take away with him a member of his church 
to the regions of despair. He announced that on the day named 
for the e.xhibition he should, by the consent of the church then 
present, appoint a meeting, and wished if any one present had 
any objection to make it known. A pause then ensued and not 
even a whisper was heard. The minister then said he should, 
and accordingly did, appoint the meeting. On that important 
day a multitude of persons of all ages and sexes assembled in 
Mr. Pettingill's orchard, on an elevated piece of ground; meas- 
ures having been i)reviously taken to have twelve ministers 
from the neighboring towns in attendance upon the meeting, 
they accordingly appeared in due season for the exercises. The 
good old lady was then introduced and placed in the centre of 
the multitude, the ministers forming in a circle around her; 
then another circle composed of deacons and elders, with mem- 
bers of churches, and in the rear of these the multitude formed 
in close column. ICverything being in readiness for action, 
and at least an hour before the time appointed for his Satanic 
Majesty to make his appearance, the exercises began by sing- 
ing, praying and supplicating, all in favor of the good old lady 
and against the tempter. This continued till five o'clock in the 
afternoon, it then being several hours after the time appointed 
for the explosion, but there being no smell of brimstone or any 



432 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

appearance of danger, the multitude began to disperse, the old 
lady was delivered over to her friends, and by sunset the ground 
was cleared. In closing his account Mr. Reddington says: 

" Mr. Greeley, early in the day, geared up his old steed with 
saddle and pillion, went a number of times, taking the females 
of his family on to the ground in good season, and returning- 
home in the same way, which was not accomplished till nearly 
dark. I did not attend at this scene of folly, but the meeting 
took place in sight of where I was hoeing corn in Mr. Greeley's 
field, and I could plainly see the gathering multitude at the 
place of action. The particulars of what took place at the 
meeting I had from several persons present. My brother, 
Thomas Reddington, then resided near Mr. Greeley's, and had 
a knowledge of the transaction and recollects it." 

Apropos to the foregoing are Mrs. Lydia L. S. Very's lines 
on the personality of the devil. She declares she has found 
^ut all about him, and bursts out in song as follows : 

" He walks the streets in broadcloth clad, 

No cloven hoof 'tis he foretelling; 
His feet in patent leather bright, 
He waltzes at the ball at night, 

Of fragrant perfumes smelling. 

Within the lawyers' ranks he sits, 

Indignantly he talks of crime; 
With rounded periods, striking hits 
He can describe; the coat so fits, 

For he has worn it through all time." 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 



CONCLUSION. 



"Custom calls me to it, 
What custom wills in all things should we do it." 

"A little learning is a dangerous thing: 
Drink deep or taste not the Pierian spring." 

POST OFFICES AND POST MASTERS. 

Thomas W. Thompson, appointed April i, 1798. At that 
date he undoubtedly resided at the South Road Village, in a 
house which stood on the site of Mrs. H. C. W. Moore's resi- 
dence. He was succeeded by 

Moses Eastman, appointed April i, 1803, who continued in 
the same place. 

Joshua Fifield, appointed October 17, 1826. 

John White, appointed December 20, 1827; undoubtedly 
kept the office at his store. 

Samuel Allen, appointed January 13, 1829; continued the 
office at the same store. 

John Townsend, appointed November 3, 1829; removed the 
office to his harness shop. 

Moses Eastman, appointed February 25, 1S37 ; kept the 
office in the southeast front room of Mrs. 11. C. W. Moore's 
house. 

Abraham II. Robinson, M. D., appointed August 15, 1846; 
continued the office in the same place as his predecessor. 

Nathaniel 1?ean, appointed April 12, 1856; continued the 
office in the same place as his predecessor. 

Thomas D. Little, appointed April 12, 1861 ; removed the 
office to the Greenough store, thence to the Greenleaf & 
Clement store. 
28 



434 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Daniel R. Everett, appointed April 4, 1870; continued 
the office in the Greenleaf & Clement store. 

Lewis A. Hawkins, appointed January 29, 1874. 
Arthur S. Calef, appointed January 24, 1878; both con- 
tinued the office in the Greenleaf & Clement store. 

William B. Parsons, appointed November 22, 1878 ; re- 
moved the office to the Greenough store, thence to the Green- 
leaf & Clement store. 

Henry B. Sweatt, appointed August 8, 1882 ; continued 
the office as above until August 22, 1882, when it was removed 
to the store of Chapman 81 Sweatt ; continuing until February 
5, 1884, when it was returned to the Greenleaf & Clement 
store. Resigned April 21, 1885, in favor of 

Andrew E. Ouimby, appointed May 20, 1885 ; continued the 
office at the same place. 

The postoffice at what is now Franklin was first called Salis- 
bury Village. The office was established February 23, 1820, 
with a continuous appointment of postmasters as follows : 

Ebenezer Eastman, appointed February 23, 1820. 

John Cavender, appointed August 15, 1822. 

Name changed to Franklin, January 12, 1829. John Caven- 
der re-appointed January 12, 1829. 

Caleb Merrill, appointed May 27, 1829. 

Thomas R. White, appointed December 26, 1838. 

Caleb Merrill, second term, appointed April i, 1843. 

Joseph Clark, appointed June 15, 1849. 

John White, appointed November 26, 1852. 

David Gilchrist, appointed April 14, 1853. 

James Colburn, appointed May 31, 1861. 

Miss Eunice G. Colburn, appointed November 17, 1862, 

Now made a presidential office, and Miss Eunice G. Colburn, 
re-appointed March 2, 1867; April 17, 1871 ; December 14, 
1875 ; January 12, 1880, and still holds the office. 



CONCLUSION. 435 



COLLEGE GRADUATES. 

Following are the names and professions of college graduates, 
excepting those given with ecclesiastical and educational chap- 
ters, or with physicians and lawyers. A star (*) signifies that 
they were not born in Salisbury, but spent there some portion 
of their lives, as citizens: 

7S4. *Christopher Page, Dartmouth, minister. See Genealogy. 

794. Moses Eastman, A. M., Dartmouth, lawyer. " 

795. Moses Sawyer, A. M., Dartmouth, minister. " 
Soi. Daniel Webster, LL.D., Dartmouth, lawyer. " 
804. Ebenezer ( ). Fifield, A. B., Dartmouth, professor. See Genealogy. 
S04. Thomas H. Pettengill, A. M., Dartmouth, lawyer. 

804. Ezekiel Webster, A. M., Dartmouth, lawyer. 

805. Nathaniel Sawyer, A. 1!., Dartmouth, lawyer. 
S06. John True, A. 1!., Dartmouth, physician. 
808. Nathaniel Huntoon, Dartmouth, lawyer. 
808. Ichabod Bartlett, A. M., Dartmouth, lawyer. 

811. Valentine Little, A. 1!., Middlebury, minister. 

812. lienjamin Pettengill, 3d, A. M., Middlebury. 

812. James liartlett, A. M., Middlebury, lawyer. 

813. Joseph Wardwell, A. 15., Dartmouth, professor. 
816. Charles B. Haddock, D. D., Dartmouth, professor. 
816. Joseph Bartlett, A. AL, Dartmouth, physician. 
S17. Benjamin Huntoon, Dartmouth, minister. 

820. William C. Thompson, Dartmouth, lawyer. 
83r. Joseph B. Eastman, A. B., Dartmouth, minister. 

821. K. G. Buswell, A. >L, Dartmouth. Born at Salisbury; died at Charles 
ton, S. C, August 27, 1S27, aged 27. 

822. Amos Foster, A. M., Dartmouth, minister. Sec Genealogy. 

822. 'Albert L. Kelley, lawyer. " 

823. Henry Greenleaf, A. ^L, Dartmouth, lawyer. " 

824. Joel Eastman, Dartmouth, lawyer. " 

825. James K. Cushing, Bangor Theological Seminary, minister. See Gen- 
ealogy. 

828. Charles E. Thompson, Dartmouth, lawyer. See Genealogy. 

828. "Elbridge F. Greenough, Dartmouth. " 

829. Benjamin F. Foster, Amherst, minister. " 

832. William NL T'ngry, A. M., Dartmouth, lawyer. " 

833. Jacob Gale, Dartmouth, lawyer. " 
833. William Wells Proctor, Dartmouth Medical School, physician. See 

Genealogy. 
835. Joseph Bartlett, I )artmouth, minister. See Genealogy. 

826. Samuel C. liartlett, LL.D., Dartmouth, minister. See Genealogy. 



436 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

1836. Sylvanus Huntoon, Castleton Medical College, physician. See Pingry 

Genealogy. 

1S47. Elbridge L. Little, Michigan L^niversity, minister. See Genealogy. 

1840. Solomon M. Pingrey, Dartmouth, minister. " 

1841. Francis B. Webster, Dartmouth, merchant. " 
1844. Humphrey Webster, Dartmouth, lawyer. " 

1844. William T. Heydock, Dartmouth, lawyer. " 

1845. John W. Little, M. D., D.D. S., Dartmouth, physician. See Genealogy. 

1845. Ephraim F. Wilson, Castleton Medical School, physician, " 

1846. John Baker, Dartmouth. See Genealogy. 

1847. Jeremiah W. Wilson, Castleton Medical School, physician. See Gen- 

ealogy. 

1847. William H. Bartlett, Dartmouth, lawyer. See Genealogy. 

1848. Henry L. Watson, University of Vermont, physician. See Genealogy. 
1S49. Moses S. Wilson, Harvard Medical School, physician. " 

1851. William H. Burleigh, M. D., Dartmouth, physician. " 

1852. Walter Wells, Bowdoin, professor and author. " 
1857. Henry A. Stevens, Amherst, minister. " 
1857. Samuel E. Pingry, A. M., Dartmouth, lawyer. " 
1861. Ebenezer L. Little, Michigan University, minister. " 

1861. *George H. Hutchings, Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, 
physician. .See Genealogy. 

1861. *Frank R. Morse, D. D., Dartmouth, minister. See Genealogy. 

1865. John M. Fitz, Dartmouth Medical College, physician. See Genealogy. 

1872. Irving A. Watson, University of Vermont, physician. " 

1S72. Charles H. Sawyer, Dartmouth, civil engineer. " 

1881. Charles A. Morse, Dartmouth Xfedical School, physician. See Gen- 
ealogy. 

1S82. N. W. Bean, Dartmouth Medical School, physician. See Genealogy. 



The following gentlemen chose a professional life without a 
four years' collegiate education. So far as known they were 
eminent and highly respected in their several professions. 
Unless their names are followed by a * they were natives of 
the town. Some of these may be college graduates, but we 
are unable to ascertain the fact : 

Jonathan French, M. D.; Rev. Julius C. Blodgett. See Genealogy. 

Benjamin Loverin, M. D., attended medical lectures at Dartmouth. Practiced at 

Sutton and died there. 
John Q. A. French, M. D.; Jesse Fifield, M. D. ; James Fifield, M. D.; John L- 

Fifield, M. D.; John P. Scribner, M. D. See Genealogy. 
Rev. Moses B. Scribner, ordained Pastor of the Christian Church, in 1857. See 

Genealogy. 
Rev. Winthrop Fifield. See Genealogy. 



PROFESSIONS. 437 

Parmetus Ilunton, admitted to the bar in 1837. See Pingry Genealogy. 

Andrew L. Greeley, admitted to the bar in 1S59. " " 

I.uther J. Greeley, admitted to the bar in 1S63. 

Stephen M. Pingry. admitted to the bar in i860. See Pingry Genealogy. 

Charles L. Greenough, admitted to the bar in 1872. 

James L. Foote, admitted to the bar in 1877. 

George W. Stevens, ( A. M., 186S.) 

John W. Pettengill, admitted to the bar, in Massachusetts, 1859. 

Elbridge G. Eastman, graduated at West Point Military School. See Genealogy. 

Hiram M. Couch, attended medical lectures at Dartmouth, 1847. " 

Rev. James M. P-ean ; Rev. John \V. Bean; Rev. Hiram Stevens; Elder John 
Couch. See Genealogy. 

Rev. Trueworthy Cole, a Christian minister. 

Thomas Jefferson Xoyes, M. I). 

John Gale, a lawyer in California. 

*L)avid Page, ( son of Onesiphorus ) practiced at Meredith. 

A. Hunton, M. D. See Pingry Genealogy. 

Rev. Josepn Tucker. See Genealogy. 

Joseph Whittemore, minister, then physician; resides at Ossage, Iowa. See Gen- 
ealogy. 

Rev. David R. Whittemore; Elder Abijah Watson; Rev. Joseph Watson. See 
Genealogy. 

Isaac T. Sawver, lawver. 



CHARTER AMENDED. 



By the following Act of the Legislature, in 1869, the section 
herein described was disannexed from Franklin and annexed 
to Salisbury : 

DESCRIPTION. 

Beginning on Hoscawen town line on the South-west corner of said Franklin, and 
the South-east corner of the town of Salisbury, thence easterly on said Boscawen 
town line across lots numbered 7, 8, 9, and 10 in the South range in said Franklin ; 
thence north three and one-half degrees east between lots numbered 6 and 7 in said 
Franklin, one hundred and forty rods to the north-east corner of land of Joseph 



438 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Smith, adjoining land of Charles Smith ; thence westerly by the north line of said 
Joseph Smith, across lots numbered 7, 8, and 9, to the west side of said lot num- 
bered 9, adjoining lot numbered 10; thence northerly between lots numbered 9 and 
10 eighty-four rods to land occupied by Lewis Buswell; thence north forty and one- 
half degrees west, by said Buswell's land, thirty-five rods to the south rangeway, so 
called; thence westerly by said rangeway, fifty-nine rods to land of Gilbert East- 
man; thence northerly by said Eastman's east line one hundred and fifteen rods to 
the south road leading from the South Village in said Salisbury to Franklin afore- 
said; thence westerly by said road to the bound begun at; be and the same hereby 
is disannexed from said town of Franklin, and annexed to said town of Salisbury.. 
This Act shall take effect on and after its passage. 



GENEAI^OGY AND BIOGRAPHY, 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



" He who takes no interest in the history of his ancestors does not deserve to be 
remembered by his posterity." 

PRELIMINARY REMARKS. 

The object of this work is to communicate to present and 
future generations some knowledge of the early settlers, the 
date of their arrival, and the trials and privations they endured, 
together with such additional information as will be of interest 
to their descendants. 

Genealogies of towns are well worth preserving, from the 
earliest known settlers to present times, and in order to make 
them valuable the work should be comprehensive and thorough, 
particularly in regard to dates of births, marriages, deaths, and 
removals to other localities. 

Persons who have never undertaken the collection of materi- 
als for even a single family history little realize the innumerable 
obstacles the compiler has to surmount, especially so when full 
and accurate dates are desired. Families are scattered, the 
members perhaps widely separated ; records are not preserved, 
in default of which the memory has to be trusted ; many care 
very little or take no interest in their ancestry; frequently no 
answer is received in reply to letters asking for information of 
vital importance to the compiler; succeeding letters perhaps 



440 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

refer the author to others equally careless or indifferent, and so 
it continues. To this class belong the dissatisfied ones, who 
say, "He has not got that right; I could have told him differ- 
ently." To such we say, regretfully, "If the sketch is not sat- 
isfactory it is largely your fault ; you have been urgently asked 
by letter and public notice to furnish the compiler with facts 
relative to your family, and in too many instances the desired 
information has been withheld." 

Proof-sheets have been sent to such members of each family 
as in our judgment would be most likely to make all the nec- 
essary corrections. Such information as we have been able 
to obtain by visiting and consulting aged inhabitants, in this 
and other towns ; by extensive correspondence with scattered 
members of families; by examination of letters, manuscripts, 
family bibles and registers : and by searching the Kingston 
church records, books, newspapers, gravestones, and every oth- 
er source likely to afford facts or data, has been laboriously 
gathered and is freely given. 

The records as presented are, from the nature of the case, 
imperfect. Many of the lists are copied from the town records 
and of course are reliable and authentic, so far as they go. We 
are under the disadvantage of not being a native of the town, 
and while the work of the genealogist is never finished, it is 
still a humiliating fact that in this work there must inevitably 
be found errors and omissions, and in the case of some families 
but a meagre record. The author's aim has been to embrace 
what could be learned respecting both the ancestry and poster- 
ity of all the older families, and from the amount of material 
collected he has been compelled to exclude many later families, 
with those whose residence in town was but temporary. 

There were families in town whose history would be full of 
interest, of which little is given, for the reason that little is 
known of them. In many cases it has been found impossible 
to trace the female side of the family, except where they mar- 
ried and continued in town, in which case the word {see) will 
follow the name, when by turning to the husband's name their 
children will be found. Many of our Salisbury women reared 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. • 44I 

families of ability and prominence, but as the children were 
born elsewhere they cannot be noticed here. 

Except in a few instances, where families resided in the east 
part of the town, just previous to the incorporation of Franklin, 
their genealogies are dropped. Many proper names of families 
originally of the same stock are variously spelled by individuals 
in different families. As given in the following pages, the 
orthography is that found in the original records. 

A mark of interrogation [.'] after a name or date implies un- 
certainty. The ordinary abbreviations for titles are employed, 
as also for the names of states, territories or provinces. Names 
of towns, unless otherwise designated, are supposed to be in 
New Hampshire. 

The following additional abbreviations are also employed: 
b. for born, m. for married, unm. for unmarried, d. for died, res. 
for resides, res'd for resided, rem. for removed, t. r. for town 
records, g. s. for gravestone. 



442 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 




THE ADAMS FAMILY. 



FOUR BRANCHES. 



Robert Adams, a tailor, came to Ipswich, Mass., in 1635, 
removed to Salem in 1638, and finally settled in Newbury, 
Mass., in 1640. 

He is supposed to have been an Englishman, but exhaustive 
research has thus far failed to ascertain the locality from whence 
he came. One tradition has it Devonshire ; another, of equal 
value, Holderness, in Yorkshire, though no trace or clue has 
been found in either. He came with his wife, Eleanor, and 
two children, a son and daughter, and had eight other children 
after his settlement in America. He d. Oct. 12, 1682, aged 81, 
leaving a widow, his second wife, Sarah (Glover) Short, who 
d. Oct. 24. 1697. 

Archelaus, (2) the tenth child and youngest of the family, 
was b. about 1654; m. ist, Sarah — , and 2d, in 1719, Sarah 
Green, of Salisbury, Mass., and had eight children. 

Archelaus (3) seventh child, b. Nov. 21, 17 14, was also twice 
married; ist, to Dorothy Clement, in 1741, and 2d, to Mary 
Pearson, in 1742. His ten children were all by the second wife, 
who died at Salisbury, Mass., in Jan., 1783. 

I. 



Archelaus, (4) youngest child of Archelaus and Mary 
Pearson Adams, was b. at Salisbury Point, Mass., June 
14, 1755; m. Jan. 4, 1781, Hannah Osgood, of the same 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 443 

town. She d. June 8, 1814, aged 54. In 1792 he rem. 
to Salisbury, N. H., settling on the cross-range road, on 
the farm where J. H. Smith now resides. He occupied 
the premises to the day of his death, Dec. 13, 1828. 
Their children, exclusive of two who died in infancy^ 
were : 

2. Mercy, b. 17S2, d. at Concord, Jan. iS, 1S55, unm. 

3. Robert Morrill, b. March 14, 17S9. (see.) 

4. Aaron, b. Jan. 20, 1792. (see.) 

5. James Osgood, b. Jan. 8, 1795; d. March S, iSrg. 

6. Benjamin Osgood, b. June 23, 1797. (see.) 

(3.) Robert Morrill, who joined to the cultivation of a farm 
the trade of a blacksmith, which he maintained for more 
than forty years, res'd in the "mountain district," in East 
Concord. In 1855, after the death of his wife, he sold 
his property in Concord and rem. to Laconia, where he 
continued until his death, Nov. 8, 1861 ; m. ( i ) Nov. 12, 
1812, Demaris Eastman, of Corinth, Vt., who d. June 
24, 1854; m. (2) 1856, Mrs. Clara, widow of Jonathan 
Weeks. She d. in 1879. ^^'s children, all b. in Concord, 
were : 

7. Ezra Eastman, b. Aug. 29, 1813; was a student at Salis- 

bury Academy, graduating at Dartmouth College, 1836. 
Ordained a clergyman at Concord, in 1839, ^"d was sta- 
tioned as chaplain to seamen at Cronstadt, Russia, and 
Havre, France, for thirteen years; was pastor of the 
Pearl St. Church, at Nashua, and subsequently founder 
of the North Broad St. Presbyterian Church, in Philadel- 
phia. He afterwards held the chair of Sacred Rhetoric 
in Lincoln University, at O.xford, Penn., where he d. 
Nov. 3. 1 87 1. He m. in London, 1840, Betsey B. Berry, 
of Newbury, Vt„ dau. of Judge Joseph Berry. She d. in 
New York city, 1846; m. (2) Frances M. Stevens, of 
Concord, dau. of lion. Josiah Stevens, in 1847. 

Children all b. at IFavre; (i) Josiah Robert, b. Dec. 21, 184S; counsellor and 
attorney at law, Philadelphia. He is married but has no children. (li) 
James Osgood, b. May 13, 1S50; m. Jan. 4. 18S6, Emma H. Greeley, dau. 



444 HISTORV OF SALISBURY. 

of the late Phiiieas D. Greeley, D. D., of Washington, D. C. Physician 
at Washington, and formerly a lawyer at Omaha, Neb. (in) Benjamin 
P)., h. Aug. 15, 1S51 ; physician at Washington, D. C. 
S. Hannah Osgood, b. July 26, 181 5; d. 1S16. 

9. James Osgood, b. June 5, 18 18; graduated at Dartmouth 
College, 1843 ; taught school at Centre Road, 1840, and 
elsewhere for six years; printer and editor for thirty- 
years, at Manchester ; member of the legislature for 
many sessions : president of the Manchester Common 
Council, and for eleven years City Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, and Secretary of the State Board of 
Agriculture since 1870. A well-known writer and speak- 
er. He m. April 2, 185 1, (i) Lucy Payson Foster, of 
Manchester, who accompanied him to Europe, and d. 
P'eb. II, 1852; m. (2) Oct. 3, 1854, Eliza Ellen Everett, 
of Manchester, who d. March 20, 1861 ; m. (3) Aug. 20, 
1862, Susan A. Everett, who d. Oct. 30, 1873; m. (4) 
Lizzie R. (Smith) Perkins, of Newburyport, Mass., July 
13, 1874. 

His children are: (i) Lucy E., b. April 2, 1S5.S; d. March iS, 1861. (a) Ezra 
E., b. Aug. 26, i860; graduated at Agricultural College, Hanover, 1878; 
res. in Philadelphia, (iii) James H., b. May 14, 1863, d- Sept. 28, 1867. 
(IV) Luella A., b. May 17, 1864, d. Dec. 20, 1884. (v) Susie B., b. 
March 20, 1866, d. Dec. 23, 1870. (vi) Willis E., b. Aug. 23, 186S, d. 
Dec. 25, 1S70. (VII) Alice G., b. June 28, 1871. (vili) Lewis Willie, 
b. Feb. 20, 1873. 

no. Mary D., b. Dec. 5, 1S21, d. Nov. 5, 1S45. Preceptress of Caledonia Acad- 
emy, Lyndon, Vt. 

11. Benjamin O., a merchant in Concord, b. Sept. 27, 1S24, d. Dec. 14, 1849. 

12. John Q., b. March 18, 1827; formerly at Gilmanton, now at Laconia; m. Lattice 

Mann, of Concord, 1854; three children, Mary D. d., John Q. and Frank 
L. at Laconia. 

13. Henry C, b. Nov. 25, 1831 ; res. at Tilton ; m. Irene Mann, 1S58, two children, 

Sarah and Mary. 

(4.) Aaron, remained on the homestead, where he d. Feb. 
27, 1827; m. Sept. I, 1820, Susan Hill, of Northfield ; 
she d. Nov. 12, 1858. Their children were: 

114. Hannah C)., b. Sept. 2, 182 1 ; m. Levi Fifield and res. at Jackson, Mich. 



GENEALOGY AND lUOGKAril Y. 445, 

15. Emery II., b. Feb. 2S, 1824. Obtained his education at 
Salisbury and New London academies. In the fall of 
1844 he rem. to Lowell, Mass., where he m. Aug. 16, 
1846, Laura R. Proctor. Rem. to New York city and 
engaged in the wholesale jewelry business, continuing 
till 1870, when with his family he rem. to Orange, N. ].,. 
where he still remains. 

Children: (i) tieorge E., b. Feb. 13, 1S49, (") Kugene E., b. Aug. iS, 1851. 
(Ill) Eva J., b. Sept. 10, 1S53; m. Jan. 27, 1S76, Horace Stetson, (iv) 
Krank I,., b. Oct. 12, 1S56; m. June 29, iSSi, — 

(6.) Benjamin Osgood, b. June 23, 1797; educated at Salis- 
bury Academy. His elder brother (Aaron) dying, the 
care of the farm came upon him and for many years he 
successfully carried it on, teaching school in the winter, 
which occupation he found more agreeable to his tastes 
than farming. He taught in this and the surrounding 
towns for thirty-two years. Possessing an appreciative 
mind, a gentle but firm disposition, and qualifications for 
thorough instruction, his services were in frequent de- 
mand. He was an excellent disciplinarian as well as 
teacher. He early joined the Baptist church, and after 
Jiis removal from town considered that communion his. 
home. He was one of the few christians the writer has 
met who endeavored to lead a godly life under all condi- 
tions. There was no superficial Christianity about him. 
In 1843 he rem. to East Concord, where he engaged in 
agriculture, at times assisting his brother-in-law, John 
M. Dearborn, in his country store. He m. March 24, 
1843, Sarah J., dau. of John J. and Sarah (Messerve) 
Dearborn, who was b. at Canterbury, Aug. 3, 1806. He 
d. at Concord, Sept. 3, 1876. 



II. 

16. Joseph Adams, brother to Archelaus, bought of Jonathan 
Cram three sixty-acre lots in the third range, laid out to 



44^ HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

Benjamin Ladd, Nathaniel Huntoon and Ebenezer East- 
man. In 1800 Joseph Adams, Jr., had taxable stock in 
trade amounting to $200.00 and in 1801 to $500.00. He 
settled on Cash street, near the Dr. W. W. Sleeper place. 
No other record of the family has been found. 

17. Moses, b. Jan. 2, 1792; rem. to Plymouth; iS. Aaron. 

19. Joseph, (see.) 20. James. 21. Polly. 22. Another girl. 

( 19.) Joseph resided on the homestead. He may have been 
the one who kept the store, if so, it was the "Master" 
Thomas Chase stand ; m. Marian Fifield ; she d. — ; he 
d. Sept. 1840. 

23. Mary, b. Jan. 28, iSoS; m. Francis W. Deane, of Canton, Mass.; she d. July 

26, 1S47. 

24. Marian, [Maria] b. Oct. 8, 1810; m. Oct. 30, 1S31, S. P. Deane, of Canton, 

Mass.; she d. July 29, 1875. 

25. Betsey, b. Nov. 10, 181 1 ; m. July — 1S3S, Edwin E. Goodale ; res. at Hooksett. 

26. Emily, b. Jan. 12, 1816; m. Jan. 5, 1S51, Francis W. Deane; res. at Canton, 

Mass. 

27. Joseph, b. — 28. Charles P., b. (^.f^'.) 29. Rennselaer. 

30. Albert. 31. James. 32. Nancy, m. — Shaw; res. at Burlington, Mass. 

(28.) Charles Pinckney, by the death of Deacon Cate and wife, 
came into possession of their property ; he once lived at 
East Concord, and d. at Penacook, Sept. 12, i860. He 
m. in Lowell, Mass., Sarah A. Tracy, of Preston, P. 0. 
She res'd at Suncook, but now lives with her daughter. 

33. Emily A., b. — m. Charles H. Morrill ; res. at Andover. 

34. Ellen M., b. Feb. 10, 1851 ; m. Oct. 18, 1877, Hendrick A. Currier, of Danbury, 

afterwards a successful merchant at Franklin. 

35. Sarah F., b. Feb. 6, 1853; m. Nov. 29, 1867, Charles Emery; res. at Suncook. 



III. 

36. Enoch Adams, b. at Newbury, Mass., Nov. 29, 1755 ; en- 
listed in Capt. Gerrish's company of that town, in April, 
1775, and afterwards served five other enlistments during 
the revolutionary war. After the war closed he rem. to 
Salisbury, purchased land, and erected a set of buildings 




'y'-'-^Miy Sam,^. 



(2^i? ^^^^^^.tW 



GENEALOGV AND IJIOGRAPHV. 447 

on the north side of the rangeway west of Scribner's 
Corner. He received a government pension; d. Feb. 
27, 1842, aged 87; m. TLlizabeth Russell, b. June 27, 
1759, who d. in Aug. 1802. 

37. Russell, 1). Jan. 20, 17S2; d. Oct. 21, 17SS. 

38. Richard, b. Aug. 21. 17S3, d. Nov. 1788. 

39. Eli, b. Sept. 29, 1784; m. Abigail True. He d. July 17, 1832, aged 48. 

40. Judith, b. Jan. 2, 17S7; m. Enoch Eastman, of lioscawen. She was the mother 

of Timothy Eastman, of Salisbury. 

41. Russell, b. May 12, 17S8; m. Susan, dau. of Obediah P. Fifield. He d. Nov. 

19, 1859; she d. Apr. 27, 1S56. They resided at Hill, and had seven 
children, (i) Gilson, b. June 15, 1815. (11) Harrison, b. June 6, 1817; 
res. at Hill, (in) Daniel, b. Feb. 3, 1819, d. at Hill, (iv) James R., b. 
Jan. 26, 1821; res. at Hill, (v) Enoch, b. Feb. 24, 1823; resides at Bel- 
mont. (VI) Obediah F., b. Nov. 29, 1824. (vii) Emeline S., b. Jan. 26, 
1S30. 

42. Richard, b. July 29, 1790; m. Dec. 28, 1813, Sarah Dunbar. 

43. Eliza, b. May 3, 1792. 44. I'hebe, b. July 2, 1795. 

45. Dorcas, b. July 19, 1797; m. Daniel S. Woodward. Remained in Salisbury 

until 184S, when they rem. to Penacook, remaining four years, thence to 
Franklin, where they kept the old " Hotel Hoarding House," then rem. to 
Hill. She died March 10, 1877. Their children were: 

46. Elizabeth, b. Sept. 22, 1828; d. Dec. 23, 1S76. 

47. Hannah, b. Nov. i, 1830. 48. Phebe, b. Jan. 7, 1832; res. at Hill. 

49. Daniel R., b. April 10, 1S33. 50. Stephen, b. Aug. 22, 1834; res. at Franklin. 

51. Alvira A., b. May 22, 1836; res. at Hill. 

52. Dorcas, b. Feb. 22, 1838; res. at Franklin. 

53. Diana, b. Sept. 22, 1839; res. at Northfield. 

54. Paulina A., b. .\ug. 1842; d. Sept. 1844. 

55. Frank R., b. Feb. 9, 1845. His educational advantages 

were obtained in the district school, which he attended 
only in the winter. His mother, a devoted christian 
woman, greatly desired that he should be educated for 
the ministry, but unavoidable circumstances prevented. 
After a course of study at the old Noyes school, he com- 
menced work in the mill and assi.sted in the support of 
the family. In 186S he went to Manchester and entered 
the employ of H. Forsaith, in a needle factory. In a 
short time he became so efficient that he was made the 
superintendent. In 1870 he bought out Mr. Forsaith, 
moved the enterprise to Hill, and carried on a thriving 
business, until he sold out and commenced the manufac- 



448 HISTORY OF SALISBURY. 

ture of novelties in hardware, especially a rotary steel 
glass-cutter, axle washer-cutter, etc. Mr. Woodward has 
been very successful, and his business has so increased 
that his works in this line are the largest in the world, 
his goods being sold all over the globe. He takes a 
lively interest in educational matters, He has served as- 
superintending school committee, and represented his 
adopted town in the legislature. Mr. Woodward is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, an Odd Fellow, a 
Knight of Pythias, Knight of Honor, and a Good Tem- 
plar. He was appointed postmaster in Sept. 1885. He 
is married and has had five children, all deceased. He 
hcfs erected a handsome block, 32x62, two and a half 
stories high, containing a store, 16x61, and a room in 
which is located the post office, 8x24, and a tenement. 
In this building is located as fine a hall as can be found 
in any country town; the size of it is 31x53, 15 feet 
posts, and a gallery, 8x31, in addition to which are two 
fine reception rooms. It is a most commendable act on 
his part, as he cannot get a fair interest on the money 
» invested, and it is a credit to the town. See History of 

Merrimack County, p. 558. 

IV. ' 

56. Samuel Adams was a son of Samuel, b. at Salisbury,. 

Mass. He rem. to Salisbury previous to this century, 
and may have kept a small store near Union meeting 
house, or he may have resided at Scribner's Corner. In 
1800 he paid a tax on $100 worth of goods. He rem. 
to Enfield, and d. Dec. 9. 185 1. He m. in Salisbury, 
May 8, 1795, Polly (Mary) Greeley; she d. Feb. 28, 
1845. A Samuel Adams m. in Salisbury, April 16, 1799, 
Nancy Calef. Samuel Adams, of Enfield, had : 

57. Polly, (Mary) b. April 26, 1801 ; she m. March 3. 1S28, E. Pike Smith; she 

d. Aug. II, i860. 

58. Nancy S., b. Sept. 4, 1S03; m. March 3, 1853, William Broswell ; she d. — 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 449 

59. Hiram, b. Aug. 3, 1S05; nr. March 20, 1S62, Harriet F. Cook; he d. Aug. 26, 

1S76, leaving four children. 

60. Eliza G., b. July 21, 1S07 ; m. Nov. 12, 1S29, James Little, who died in June, 

1877. Their son, James Albert Little, res. at Enfield. 

61. Sarah, b. Aug. 11, 1809; d. unm. April 8, 18S0. 

62. Hannah P., b. Dec. 28, 1812; m. Charles Hobart; she d. Oct. 23, 1864; two 

children. 



ADDENDA AND CORRECTIONS. 

James O. Adams, (9) grandson of Archelaus — or Archelas, 
as he wrote it — has detached memoranda regarding the Adams 
family of Salisbury, from which the following minutes, not fully 
in accord with the record already given, are copied : 

The children of the first Archelaus, son of Robert, were John, Samuel, Stephen 

( who dying left two daughters,) and Archelaus, the second of that name. 

Archelaus m. Mercy Dow and had Sarah, (Mrs. Merrill,) Mary, (Mrs. 

Tucker,) Betsey, ( Mrs. Flanders,) and Zilpha, (Mrs. Ring,) Joseph, who d. 

at the age of 59, Abigail, ( Mrs. Stevens,) and Archelaus, the head of oue 

branch of the Salisbury family. 
Dr. Benjamin B., son of Ezra E., (7) is m. and has two children. Ezra E., son of 

of James O., (9) m. Dec. 24, 1885, Alda Corrinne Reed, of Syracuse, N. 

Y. Luella A. d. Dec. 22, 1S84. John Q., son of John Q., (12) d. at 

Laconia, Aug. 31, 1SS6, aged 31 years. 
Joseph Adams ( 16) had Joseph, William, Moses, Betsey, ( Mrs. Lowell,) Mehitable, 

( Mrs. Fifield,) Polly, and probably other children. 
Three of the daughters m. men by the name of Dean, of Mansfield, Mass., but res'd 

in Canton, viz: Mary ( 23) m. Oct. 16, 1S27 ; d. July 26, 1S47. Emily m. 

her deceased sister's husband. Betsey, ( Mrs. E. E. Goodale,) d. Oct. 13, 

1884. The name given as Marian should be Maria. 
Charles Pinckney (28) was m. Dec. iS, 1S42. His children (record corrected 

from p. 446 ) were : 
-;)2f Emily A., b. Nov. 23, 1847; m. Nov. 26, 1S74, Charles H. Morrill, and res. at 

Danbury. 

34. Sarah F., h. Feb. 6, 1849; >"• ^»ov. 29, 1867, Charles Emery, and res. at 

.Suncook. 

35. Ellen ^L, b. Feb. 10, 1851 ; m. Oct. 18, 1S77, Hcndrick A. Currier, and res. at 

Franklin Falls. 
Samuel Adams, brother to the second Archelaus, h-id .Samuel, b. in 1774, who is 
believed to have been identical with Samuel, of Enfield; Betsey, b. 1776; 
William, b. 1778; Nancy, b. 17S1, (Mrs. Morrill,) d. 1820; Sallv, b. 1783, 
29 



450 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

d. 1871 ; Stephen, b. 17S7. The last two unm. res'd in Candia. Nancy S., 
dau. of Samuel, of Enfield, mentioned on p. 448, m. William R. Brownell 
( not Broswell ) and d. Oct. 26, 1866. 
William Adams — but whether the brother of Samuel, of Enfield, or of Joseph, of 
Salisbury, is not clear — had three sons, Charles W., George W. and War- 
ren. The two former lived and died in Manchester. Charles W. had a 
son and a daughter, and George W. had five daughters. 



THE AREY FAMILY. 

Solomon Arey was a native of Wellfleet, Mass., b. March 
12, 1787; m. Oct. 18, 1808, Patty Hopkins, b. at Eastham, 
Mass., Feb. 20, 1789; rem. to Boscawen, where he d. Nov. 25, 
1846. She d. April 14, 1863. Their fourth child was — 

I. Jonathan, b. at Wellfleet, Jan. 28, 18 16. He learned the 
trade of a blacksmith, with Dea. William Temple, of Bos- 
cawen ; rem. to Salisbury in August, 1836, and erected 
the building where he now lives. For a long period he 
pursued his chosen occupation but at length turned his 
attention to sheep husbandry, and for years was the 
largest owner of Merino sheep in town. He has also 
been successfully engaged in fruit culture. Mr. Arey 
was elected to his first office in 1873, and since that time 
has filled nearly every official position in the town, in- 
cluding that of representative in the legislature. He m. 
(i) Sept. 4, 1839, Charlotte H., dau. of Caleb Smith, 
(which see.) She d. March 9, 1864; m. (2) Jan. 28, 
1865, Mrs. Mary Pevare, (which see.) His children 
were : 

2. Susan E., b. Aug. 22, 1S43; ™- ^^7 -^> '^76, Moses Trussell; res. at Warner. 

3. Lucy A., b. Oct. 25, 1845. 

4. Henry S., b. March 16, 1848; m. Jan. i, 1875, Lucinda M. Dana, of Newbury; 

she d. July 8, 1876; he d. Aug. 22, 1878. 

5. Augusta C, b. Jan. 18, 1851 ; d. Aug. 15, 1880. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 45 I 

THE BAKER FAMILY. 

I. Benjamin Baker came to Salisbury in 1781, on foot, 
without money or friends, bringing with him his kit of shoe- 
making tools. He came from Beverly, Mass., having been in 
the army and done faithful service at Bunker Hill. He built 
the house now occupied by Mrs. Lois Crane, where he followed 
his trade as a shoemaker. His price for a pair of shoes was 
one bushel of corn. When corn was plenty he did not lack for 
work ; when it was scarce he had customers to buy it at a profit. 
By economy he generally had some ready money, which he 
loaned on real estate. In this way he obtained the Dea. John 
Collins farm, and built the house now occupied by J. S. Dimond, 
where he d. Nov. 1 1, 1830. He m. April 29, 1779, Mary George, 
and d. Oct. 30, 1830, aged 75 years. 

His children were: 

2. Daniel, b. July 15, 17S0; m. Betsey — rem. to Topsham, Me. 

3. Anne, b. Jan. 2, 17S2; m. Feb. 12, 1S04, John Townsend. {see.) 

4. Benjamin, b. Oct. 23, 17S3. (see.) 

5. Polly, b. Dec. 25, 17S6; d. April 25, 1790. 

6. Jonathan, b. Dec. 15, 17SS; a wholesale merchant; res. at Topsham, Me. 

7. John, b. May 23, 1792. See Physicians. 

8. Mary, b. May 23, 1792; m. Reuben Wynian ; rem. to Chatham, afterwards 

to Bartlett, where he d. in 1857, and she soon after that date. They were 
both buried at South Chatham. 

9. Edward, b. June 5, 1794; m. Betsey Clark; rem. to 1 i.-inhnrv. Tie w.is the 

father of the famous " Baker Family " of singers. 

10. Asa, b. July 12, 1795; ^- ^"^ ^^^- ^o Little Rock, Ark. 

(4.) Benjamin remained on the homestead and followed his 
father's occupation; m. June 19, 1806, Mary VVyman ; d. 
1852. (.') His children were: 

11. Lucy A., b. Feb. 29, 180S; m. ( i ) .\pril 1S30, David lluntoon, of Unity; m. 

(2) July 4, 1858, John Baglcy. 

12. Mary J., b. Oct. 23, 181 2,; d. Dec. 9, 1S13. 

13. Mary CI., b. Oct. 10, 181 5; d. — 

14. Caroline K., b. Jan. 21, 181S; m. Nov. 25, 1S41, Joseph French, (see.) 

15. Daniel B., b. April 26, 1822; m. Susan Lcavitt of Chatham. He served in 

the regular army in the .Mexican war and that of the Rebellion , returned 
to Salisbury; thence rem. to Chatham, where he d. April 17, 1864. 



452 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



THE BARTLETT FAMILY. 

From a work entitled "Sketches of the Bartlett Family," by 
the late Levi Bartlett, of Warner, and from various other 
sources, are gathered the outlines of the Bartlett family here 
given. 

L 

Adam Barttelot, of Brian de Stopham, came to England 
with William the Conqueror, and settled at Stopham, in Sus- 
sex. He died and was buried there, in the year iioo. His 
descendants came into possession of a large landed estate, 
which never passed out of the Bartlett name. At present it 
amounts to 8000 acres, and is occupied by Sir Walter B. Bart- 
lett, baronet, M. P. 

One of Adam Barttelot's descendants, Edmund of Ernley, 
died in 1591, leaving four sons, Matthew, John, Richard and 
Thomas. The record, in England, of John, Richard and Thom- 
as, all born between 1580 and 1590, ended there in 1634. The 
next year these brothers came to this country, John and Rich- 
ard to Newbury, and Thomas to Watertown, Mass. 

The family at Salisbury descended from Richard, who died 
May 25, 1647. His issue in this line is as follows : 

Richard, b. 162 1, d. 1698. His son, Richard, b. Feb. 21, 1649, 
m. Hannah Emery in 1673, and lived at Bartlett's Corner, 
in Amesbury, Mass. His son, Stephen, b. April 21, 
1691, m. Hannah Webster, of Salisbury, Mass. He d. at 
Amesbury, April 10, 1773. His son, Joseph, b. April 18, 
1720, m. Jane, dau. of Ichabod Colley, and d. 1753. His 
children were : Levi, Nicholas, Joseph and Ichabod C. 
Joseph, b. at Amesbury, Jan. 14, 175 i, was a physician. 
He m. Dec. 16, 1773, Hannah Colcord, of Kingston, and 
with her came to Salisbury immediately after his mar- 
riage, and was the first physician in the town. (See 
Physicians.) His children were : 




^-c- 



Ip 




et^ 




GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 453 

1. Joseph, b. Aprils, 1775. (See Physicians.) 

2. Susannah, b. April 17, 1777 ; m. Oct. 12, 1800, Moses Eastman, (see Lawyers) 

and d. Nov. 6, 1806. 

3. Samuel C, b. Jan. 16, 1780. See p. 457. 

4. Hannah, b. Nov. 25, 1782; d. Nov. 12, 1802. 

5. Levi, b. June 3, 1784; m. Dec. 19, 1814, Clarissa, b. July 27, 1788, youngest 

dau. of Judge Timothy Walker, of Concord. He engaged early in mercan- 
tile pursuits, in which he spent an active life, dying June 21, r864, at the 
age of 80 years. 

(7.) Peter, b. Oct. 18, 1788. (See Physicians.) He m. Aug. 11, i8i6, Ann Pet- 
tengill ; she d. Oct. i, 1837. Their children were : 

Charlotte P., b. May 15, 1817 ; m. Jacob Gale, of Peoria, 111. Clarissa W., b. Oct. 
7, 18 18. Eleanor C, b. Dec. S, 1S20; m. Walter Akerman, of Portsmouth; 
both deceased. Lucy A., b. Sept. 8, 1822 ; m. Leonard Holland, deceased. 
Peter C, b. Feb. 13, 1826; m. ( i ) Abby Thompson ; m. ( 2 ) — Cuthbert- 
son. Susan, b. — ; m. W. A. Herrick, of Peoria, 111. 



ICHABOD BARTLETT. 

BY HENRY P. ROLFE. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Salisbury, on the 
South Road, at the old Dr. Bartlett place, fitted for college at 
Salisbury Academy, and graduated at Dartmouth in i8oi§.* The 
year of his graduation he delivered an oration in his native 
town, on the Fourth of July, which was published. He studied 
law with Moses Eastman and Parker Noyes, was admitted to 
the bar in 1812, and commenced practice in Durham. 

He removed to Portsmouth, where he soon took high rank in 
his profession, of which he was subsequently its acknowledged 
head. The New Hampshire bar was at this time probably un- 
surpassed in ability by any in the world. Side by side with 
such eminent advocates as Webster, Jeremiah Mason, Jeremiah 
Smith, Bell, Sullivan, Fletcher and Woodbury, liartlctt won 
his way to fame. He was small in stature, but it can, with 
truth, be said of him that he was the brightest, wittiest, gritti- 
est advocate who ever addressed a court or jury in New Hamp- 
shire. He was condescending and gracious to young men of 
the profession, and possessed fine manners. He was consid- 
ered by his contemporaries, both before a court of law and 



454 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

before a jury, the most dangerous antagonist they had to meet. 
His power of ridicule was great, and his sarcasm was at times 
perfectly withering. Jeremiah Mason once said to him that 
if he did not cease his insolence he would take him and put 
him in his pocket. Mason was a large man. Bartlett re- 
plied — "Do it, and then you will have more law in your pocket 
than you ever had in your head." When asked — " How do 
you feel, such a little fellow, among such giants as Mason, 
Webster, Woodbury, Fletcher and others ? He replied — "Very 
much like a silver ninepence (i2}4 cts.) among a lot of copper 
cents." He served as clerk of the State senate in 1817 and 
18 1 8, was appointed county solicitor for Rockingham in 18 19, 
and was elected a member of the legislature the same year. 
He signalized his entry upon the political arena by his famous 
speech in support of the Toleration Act, in July of that year. 
This law placed all religious denominations in the State upon 
equal grounds ; abolishing what was called the regular order, 
and making all religious organizations dependent upon volun- 
tary contributions for support. He continued a member of 
the legislature for three successive years, and was speaker in 
1821. He was again a member in 1830, 1832, 185 1, 1852. 

He was elected to congress in 1823, and took his seat in 
December as a member of the i8th congress. He made his 
appearance at a time of unusual excitement, when Mr. Web- 
ster had introduced, and Mr. Clay was supporting with his 
characteristic dictatorial and impetuous manner, the famous 
resolution in favor of the Greeks. Bartlett, considering it his 
duty to stem the current of popular excitement, opposed the 
resolution. Mr. Clay, in replying to him, alluded to " the 
young gentleman from New Hampshire," and offered some 
advice to him, saying, that "the gentleman has but just got 
here." The air of superiority which Mr. Clay displayed prob- 
ably never suffered a more severe rebuke then Mr. Bartlett 
gave. His retort on this occasion is remembered as one of the 
most effective and triumphant off-hand speeches ever made in 
congress. Mr. Clay took offense, and contemplated challeng- 



GENEALOGY AND I5I0GRAFHY. 455 

ing Mr. Bartlett. Some one of Clay's friends went to Mr. 
Plummer, then a colleague of Mr. l^artlctt, and wished to know, 
confidentially, whether Bartlett was a man of courage, and if 
he would recognize the code — if he would fight. Plummer 
replied that Bartlett was a highed-toned gentleman, a man of a 
proud spirit, and of dauntless courage, and whether he would 
fight if challenged he really did not know, but there was one 
way that Mr. Clay's friend could easily find out, he could go 
and ask hint. Mr. Clay very soon began to comprehend the 
nobility of his young friend from New Hampshire ; and Mr. 
Bartlett eventually secured the consideration and the respect 
of his great antagonist. Some lines were afterwards written, 
which caused much merriment on the part of the friends and 
admirers of Mr. Bartlett. 

" In Congress here the other day, 
'Tween East and West tliere rose a fray. 
Says East, your resolution's queer, 
Says West, young man you've just got here." 

The poem, which was quite long, ended with some lines 
characteristic of Mr. Bartlett. 

" Yes, you are tall and you can dare me ; 
If I am small, do n't think you'll scare me." 

He continued in the house till 1829, and was distinguished 
as a bold and spirited debater, and his published speeches sus- 
tain his reputation as an orator. Those on the "Suppression 
of Piracy," in 1825 ; on the "Amendment to the Constitution," 
in 1826; on "Internal Improvements," in 1827; and on "Re- 
trenchment," in 1828, are favorable specimens of his forensic 
power. 

In 1840 he addressed a mass meeting at Concord in favor 
of the election of General Harrison. He arraigned the admin- 
istration of Mr. Van Buren, and in the midst of his enthusi- 
asm he exclaimed, " If I had power equal to my zeal I would 
rain forty days and forty nights on the sins and iniquities of 
the present administration." 

While in the State legislature, in 185 i, a member, who was 
pleased to refer quite frequently to the revolutionary and other 



456 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

services of his father, on one occasion said, that in the war of 
the revolution, while a boy, he received a bullet in his person 
which was never extracted, and that he carried this trophy of 
his valor through life and to his grave. Mr. Bartlett remarked, 
that "this accounted for the leaden head of his son." 

He was a candidate for governor in 1831 and 1832, in 
opposition to the Jackson party, and was defeated by Samuel 
Dinsmore. 

In 1850 he was chosen a member of the State convention, 
from Portsmouth, to revise the constitution, and was its tem- 
porary chairman, being succeeded by Franklin Pierce as pres- 
ident of the convention. In this convention, as in the State 
legislature, upon his frequent reelections, although in a minor- 
ity on all political questions, his genius and ability were such 
as to elicit the admiration of his opponents, and his influence 
will be felt and his name and memory long cherished as one 
of the most eminent in the history of his native State. It was 
however in the field of his first triumphs at the bar that he 
achieved his greatest distinction, in the fullness and maturity 
of his powers. Master of all the graces of action, speech and 
thought, yet strong in argument, his success was brilliant and 
continuous, and he retained his position to the end of his career. 

New Hampshire has been chary of her honors to her great- 
est men. There was no public station, however exalted, which 
Ichabod Bartlett would not honor. The mantle of no dis- 
tinguished son of the State fell upon him. He was s id generis ; 
and of all the brilliant names which have shed lustre upon the 
State, none were more worthy than his. Ichabod Bartlett, "the 
Randolph of the North," who could measure swords with Sul- 
livan, Mason, Webster and Clay, without either shield or shame, 
leaves a brilliant page upon the history of his native town, o'nly 
a little less resplendent than that of his great townsman, the 
" Defender of the Constitution. 

He died in Portsmouth, where he spent most of his life, 
October 9, 1853, aged 6^. He was never married. His gene- 
alogy is given in that of the Bartlett family. 




Eng '-hy Geo.E Fenne.N.York 



^Oyl.^C<L€j^ -^, /Jcl^^^^^TZJ 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 457 

8. James, b. Aug. 14, 1792. He graduated from Dartmouth 

College in 18 12, and studied law with Moses Eastman, 
of Salisbury, and with his brother Ichabod, at Ports- 
mouth. He began practice at Durham, removing to 
Dover, where he d. July 17, 1837. He represented Dover 
in the legislature, and was State senator. From 18 19 to 
to 1836 he was register of probate for Strafford county. 
He was regarded as a sound and able lawyer, character- 
ized more by strength and clearness than brilliancy. He 
m. ( I ) June, 1820, Lydia Ballard, of Durham ; (2) June, 
183 1, Jane M., dau. of George Andrews, of Dover. 

9. Daniel, b. Aug. 25, 1805. For a time he was in the em- 

ploy of his brother, Samuel C, at Salisbury, then estab- 
lished himself in trade at Grafton, which town he repre- 
sented in the legislature. In that body at one time four 
brothers were representatives, viz : Samuel C, from 
Salisbury, James, from Durham, Ichabod, from Ports- 
mouth, and Daniel, from Grafton. After some years he 
removed to Boston, and entered into the dry goods busi- 
ness with Daniel P. Stone. Late in life he retired from 
trade, and res. at the Ouincy House, where he d. in 
Aug., 1877, unm. 

(3.) Samuel Colcord, at the age of nineteen, on the death of 
his father, went to Rumford, Me., where he engaged in 
business with Daniel Baker, of Salisbury. In 1805 he 
returned to his native place, and opened a store at the 
Centre Road Village, as successor to Elias Smith, paying 
in 1806 a tax on seven hundred dollars worth of goods. 
His business gradually increased, and by frugality, in- 
dustry and enterprise he accumulated for those times a 
large property. He built the store in which he traded 
for many years, bought of Mr. Elkins the house adjoin- 
ing, and remodeled it, July 31, 18 10, he m. Eleanor, 
dau. of Dea. Amos Pettengill. The marriage took place 
at the bride's home, after which they walked to their 
new home, spending the evening in company with a 



458 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

large circle of friends, and resided there together for 
more than fifty years. Esquire Bartlett, as he was usual- 
ly called, was liberal minded and public spirited. In 
town affairs he took a leading part, being elected moder- 
tor, town clerk, and representative. He long held a 
commission as justice of the peace, and possessing a 
quick mind and strict integrity did a large justice busi- 
ness. In everything he was mathematical and exact, 
and his books and papers were written in a fine, clear 
hand, and in this respect were models. He retained his 
mental faculties to the time of his death, March 31, 1867, 
aged 87 years. No man ever resided in Salisbury more 
respected and trusted. Mrs. Bartlett was a worthy help- 
mate, a woman of remarkable force of character and ex- 
ecutive ability, a devoted christian, loved and honored 
by all. She was particularly noted for her amiable dis- 
position and her dignity of manner. She d. March 7, 
1 86 1. The children of Samuel C. and Eleanor P. Bart- 
lett were : 

11. Amos Pettengill, b. May 14, 1812, was educated at Salis- 

bury and Derry academies, after which he chose a busi- 
ness life, and went to Rockport, N. Y., in 1832, engaging 
in the dry goods trade. In October, 1846, he m. Sarah 
M. Rogers, of Dansville, N. Y., and immediately rem, to 
Peoria, 111., where he has since continued as a successful 
merchant, an active, useful and respected gentleman. 
He took a prominent part in the early and later develop- 
ment of Peoria, and exerted a leading influence, espec- 
ially in the cause of education. His children were: 

(I.) Mary E. ( ii.) Sarah, became Mrs. John S. Stevens, (in.) Samuel C, 
graduated at Dartmouth College in 1867. ( iv.) William H., graduated 
at Dartmouth College in 1S71. Both engaged in the grain business at 
Peoria, 111, (v.) Helen. 

12. Joseph, Rev., b. Jan. 26, 1816; graduated at Dartmouth 

College, in 1835. He taught at Phillips Academy, An- 
dover, Mass., 1837-38, and was tutor at Dartmouth from 




"y^t^. (^a..^&^z: 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 459 

* 

183S to 1841 inclusive. He studied theology at Union 
Theological Seminary, New York city, and at Andover 
Theological Seminary, graduating from the latter in 
1843, and was ordained pastor of the Congregational 
church, at Buxton, Me., Oct. 7, 1847, retaining the con- 
nection until 1867. For some years he preached at 
South Newmarket, before, with broken strength, he re- 
tired in search of rest. He d. at Gorham, JVIe., Aug. 12, 
1882. He m. Oct. 26, 1847, Margaret, dau. of Capt. 
Robert Motley, of Gorham. Mr. Bartlett had by nature 
fine sensibilities, a quick perception, an eminently sug- 
gestive and appreciative mind, and a retentive memory. 
He was of a sensitive and somewhat shrinking nature, 
and was a fine writer, his sermons ranking as excellent, 
and they were highly appreciated by the best minds. 
As a pastor he was eminently faithful, useful and beloved, 
and as a man true, genial, sympathetic and considerate. 
He would never forsake a friend or violate a principle. 
He left a married daughter, Ellen Motley, ( Hodgdon,) 
who d. very soon after her father, soon, followed by two 
of her three children. 

13. Samuel Colcord Bartlett graduated at Dartmouth College 
in 1836, and immediately began teaching at Peacham, 
Vt., continuing until 1838, when he was appointed tutor 
at his alma mater, continuing there one year. He stud- 
ied at' Andover Theological Seminary, graduating in 
1842 ; was ordained pastor of the Congregational church, 
at Monson, Mass., Aug. 2, 1843, and was dismissed April 
7, 1846; Professor of Intellectual Philosophy and Rhet- 
oric, at Western Reserve College, Hudson, Ohio, from 
September, 1846, to July, 1S52; installed pastor of the 
Franklin St. Congregational church, at Manchester, Nov. 
3, 1852, remaining there until Feb. 18, 1857; accepted a 
call from the New England Congregational church, at 
Chicago, 111., was installed April 15, 1857, and dismissed 
March i, 1859. In May, 1858, he became Professor of 
Sacred Theology, at the Chicago Theological Seminary. 



460 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

He purchased valuable property in that city and intended 
to make it his future home, but duty called him else- 
where. He was elected to the Presidency of Dartmouth 
College, and in May, 1877, entered upon that important 
and responsible position. During the ten years of his 
administration the College has greatly prospered, having 
added $400,000 to its funds, and received many valuable 
enlargements and improvements. His publications are 
a volume of "Lectures on Universalism," "Life and 
Death Eternal," "Sketches of Missions," "From Egypt 
to Palestine," and "Sources of History in the Penta- 
teuch." A large number of orations, addresses and re- 
view articles have also been published, and he is consid- 
ered one of the best scholars and critics on religious 
and literary subjects. President Bartlett is an associate 
member of the Victoria Institute, or Philosophical Soci- 
ety of Great Britain, which comprises the leading biblical 
scholars in the world. In 1861 Dartmouth conferred 
upon him the degree of D. D. and the College of New 
Jersey the degree of LL.D. He m. (i) Laura, dau. of 
Nehemiah Bradlee, of Peacham, Vt., Aug. 16, 1843 ; 
she d. the following December; m. (2) May 12, 1846, 
Mary Bacon, dau. of Rev. Erastus Learned, of Fall 
River, Mass. They have the following children : 

(l.) Edwin Julius, Professor of Chemistry at Dartmouth College^ (ii.) William 
Alfred, pastor of the Church of the Redeemer, Chicago, 111. ( in.) Alice 
Wheaton, m. the Rev. Harvey A. Stimson, of Worcester, Mass. { iv.) 
Samuel Colcord, student at Dartmouth. 

(4.) Levi James, b. Aug. 28, 1823 ; was educated at Peacham, 
Vt., and New Hampton Academies; m. Oct. 4, i860, 
Harriet Crane, of Salisbury. He remained in Salisbury 
until 1867, when he removed to Greggsville, 111., where 
he still resides. Has one son, Albert, and dau. Grace. 

(5.) Alfred Henry, b. April 19, 1825; d. Feb. 19, 1826. 
(6.) William Henry, b. Aug. 20, 1827. 




■^V-/ /.^a^U^Z^r- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 461 



WILLIAM HENRY BARTLETT. 

in- HENRY r. ROI,FE. 

This distinguished son of Samuel Colcord and Eleanor Pet- 
tengill Bartlett was born in Salisbury, at the Center Road 
Village, August 20, 1827, the youngest child of the family. I 
knew him as boy, man, scholar, lawyer, magistrate and neigh- 
bor, and it is as valuable a compliment as I have ever received 
that his most estimable and accomplished widow has deemed 
me worthy to write a brief biographical sketch of her honored 
husband, for the history of Salisbury. I take intense satisfac- 
tion in the discharge of this duty, because I was associated 
with him as a school-boy at Salisbury Academy, two years as 
a student in Dartmouth College, three years while pursuing 
the study of the law in Concord, admitted to the same bar, the 
same year, and practised in the same and on the opposite sides 
of cases with him before the court of our native county, till 
the government of the State honored and gratified us all by 
placing him upon the supreme bench with Bell, Sargent, Bel- 
lows, Perley, Eastman, Nesmith, and Doe, all of whom were 
eminent jurists. 

He fitted for college at Salisbury Academy, at home, under 
the instruction of James O. Adams, his brothers, and also at 
Meriden, and entered Dartmouth in 1842. Although he was 
the youngest member of his class, with one exception, he was 
acknowledged to be the leader in scholarship, and that position 
was accorded to him to the end of his college course, not only 
in his own but in all the classes. I sat by him two terms at 
Salisbury Academy, and I never caught him idle. There is a 
deserved and beautiful tribute to him in a eulogy delivered at 
Dartmouth at the Commencement in 1880, by Hon. Isaac W. 
Smith, an associate justice of the supreme court, who was for 
one year his classmate. He says : " I have no hesitation in say- 
ing I do not know that I ever met a finer scholar, and seldom 



462 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

have I ever encountered a brighter or stronger intellect." I 
can supplement this characterization of him and say, that from 
the time I first met him, as a lad, up to the time when the un- 
seen enemy laid his remorseless hand upon him and began to 
abate his vital force, did I ever meet so fine a scholar or en- 
counter a brighter or stronger intellect of his age. In college 
and out, although exceedingly fond of merriment, he was never 
rude ; and while inflexible in his integrity, he possessed the 
highest type of courage. He was — 

" Mild and lovely, 
Gentle as the summer breeze, 
Pleasant as the air of evening 
When it floats among the trees." 

He was so young when he entered college that it was deemed 
best for him to remain away one year. He reentered college, 
and graduated in the class of 1847. During the following 
year he occupied his time at the Western Reserve College, 
where his brother Samuel C. was a professor, in the study of 
history, the German language, the Greek dramatic poets, and 
in general reading, so that when he commenced the study of 
law with Chief Justice Perley, in 1848, 

" His library, though large, was read, 
Till half its contents decked his head." 

He pursued the study of the law with Judge Perley till 
that eminent jurist went upon the bench in 1850, and after- 
wards with Chief Justice Bellows, till he was admitted to the 
bar, in Merrimack county, July 9, 185 i. As his student Judge 
Perley admired him, as a friend he esteemed him, as a lawyer 
he respected him, as judge he was exceedingly proud of him, 
and when death came grieved as for the loss of a son. 

The following is the tribute of Chief Justice Perley : " Few 
men have excelled him in quickness of apprehension, and this 
was a general trait of his mind, observable in whatever he un- 
dertook — in his classical and mathematical studies, in the law, 
and even in any amusement or recreation in which he might 
be led to indulge. There was a playful ease in his way of doing 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 463 

the most difficult things, which made them look more like 
amusement or a pastime than an irksome labor. With all his 
dispatch he was distinguished for accuracy and correctness. 

It was seldom he fell into a mistake or a blunder. His mem- 
ory was also tenacious and exact. In the law he united two 
things, which are not often found together in the same indi- 
vidual, a perfect mastery of principles, with great and ready 
recollection of points and authorities." 

He was the soul of professional honor ; there was no mean 
advantage to be taken by him. He was deferential to his as- 
sociates, respectful to witnesses, and there was nothing irritable 
or irritating, and everything he said and everything he did was 
entirely consistent with uniform kindness and gentleness of 
manner. 

Space will not allow me in a brief historical notice to do jus- 
tice to the full merits of such a man as the subject of this 
sketch. 

He was city solicitor of Concord, and was several times re- 
elected to the office, and discharged its duties to universal 
acceptance. 

In February, i86r, in obedience to the united voice of the 
profession, he was appointed associate justice of the Supreme 
Court, and- it may, with peculiar emphasis, be said of him, as 
Daniel Webster said of Chief Justice Jay, " When the spot- 
less ermine of the judicial robe fell on him, it touched nothing 
less spotless than itself." 

How he discharged the duties of this exalted position, how 
he won the esteem of the good and the learned, the language 
of his associates can best explain. The following letter was 
addressed to Mrs. Bartlett on the day of the funeral : 

Dear Madam : — We could not bear to separate, after assisting to pay the last 
tribute of respect to the memory of your lamented husband and our dear friend, 
without some expression to you of our deep sympathy in your great bereavement. 

Our intimate association with him, in the discharge of our duties, for several 
years past, ha.s made us better acquainted perhaps than any others out of the im- 
mediate circle of his own family, with those qualities which have not only rendered 
him so useful to the State, but have so much endeared him to all who have had 
the advantage of his personal acquaintance. 



464 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Your grief is, we are well aware, inconsolable. May a Merciful Providence sus- 
tain and comfort you in this hour of your great affliction. 

With greatest respect and deepest sympathy, 

IRA PERLEY, 

J. E. SARGENT, 

HENRY A. BELLOWS, 

C. DOE, 

GEO. W. NESMITH. 

Concord, Sept. 28, 1867. 

In a note, full of gentleness and tender sympathy, addressed 
to Mrs. Bartlett the day after sepulture, Chief Justice Doe paid 
Judge Bartlett the following tribute : 

"Why refer to the official sphere which he more than filled ? 
Why endeavor to describe any portion of his intellectual or 
moral nature, his public services, his private worth ? when 
everybody knows that in 1861, there being a vacancy on the 
bench, the prominent lawyers of the State refused to be can- 
didates, because they understood that he might be persuaded 
to accept the appointment (an incident unparalleled in the his- 
tory of New Hampshire) ; when everybody knows that as long 
as his physical strength permitted he not only performed his 
own duty with most distinguished ability but also greatly aided 
the rest of us ; when everybody knows that he was a model 
judge and a model man ; when everybody knows that no one is 
left in New Hampshire who could be so much missed, who 
could leave behind him a grief so unusual and profound as that 
which is now upon the people of all parties and all occupations." 

Cut off in the flower of his manhood, at a time when the 
highest expectations were being realized, and before his sun 
had reached its zenith, he left a void that has not been filled. 
If "virtue, not rolling suns, the mind matures," he died ir^ 
the full maturity of a grand and noble life. If "that life is 
best which answers life's great end," the end of this life came 
when he was splendidly fitted to enter upon another and a 
better. On the 24th of September, 1867, he passed over "the 
silent river." 

I risk nothing in saying, for all the members of my profes- 
sion who knew Judge Bartlett, that we considered him while 
living, and now remember him when no longer with us, as our 
beau ideal of a judge. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 465 

THE BATCHELDER FAMILY. 

The Salisbury family bearing this name are descendants of 
the Rev. Stephen Bachiler, (Batchelder) the first minister at 
Hampton. He emigrated from England, reached Boston June 
5, 1632, and first preached at Lynn, Mass. 

1. Elisha Batchelder was b. at Danville, and rem. to Salisbury in 1843, purchasing 

land of Samuel Scribner. His children were : 

2. Robert, b. at Danville, Jan. 28, 1821 ; rem. to the farm in Salisbury in 1S47 ^"^ 

built the present residence. He is one of the largest fruit farmers in 
town ; m. Jan. 22, 1S52, Lydia M., dau. of John Scribner, which see. His 
children were : 

3. Ruth A., b. Nov. 29, 1S52 ; m. Frank Prince. 

4. John S., b. March 11, 1854; d. April 14, 1S56. 5. Lydia F., b. July i, 1855. 
6-7. Alice and Grace, b. April 15, 1857; Alice d. March 22, 1S5S; Grace m. John 

R. Dodge. 
8. Alice, b. Nov. 20, i860; m. Frank L. Gookin. 9. John H., b. Oct. 3, 1863. 
For another Batchelder, see Physicians. 

THE BEAL FAMILY. 

I. Thomas Beal was b. at Sanford, Me., Sept. ii, 1785, and 
rem. to Salisbury in the fall of 1809, with his father-in-law, the 
Rev. Otis Robinson. He res. many years in the M. R Thomp- 
son house, which was built for him. By trade he was a stone 
mason, and when not engaged in that occupation made shoe- 
pegs by hand-power, at that time an important industry. He 
was a constant attendant at the Baptist church, where he played 
the bass viol. He d. Dec. 23, 1852; m. Oct. 30, 1808, Abigail 
Robinson, (see Robinson genealogy) a woman of more than 
ordinary intelligence, energy and christian virtues ; she d. at 
Boston, Mass., Sept. 12, 1858. Their children were: 

2. Hannah, b. at Sanford, Aug. 22, 1S09; m. Dec. 24, 1S33, James K. Conner; 

d. at Andover, July 21, 1S79. 

3. Helen M., b. June 23, 1813; m. Sept., 1836, Freeman Hardy. 

4. Lucy B., b. April i6, 1S15; m. at Providence, R. L, Lewis Downing, Jr.; d. at 

Concord, April 30, 1S55. Before her marriage she was a successful school 
teacher. 

5. Caroline P., b. .May 31, 181S; m. Nov. 27, 1S47, J. Buckman Greene ; res. at 

Richland, Cal. 

6. Clara S., b. June 6, 1830; m. Oct. 11, 1S57, at Boston, Charles H. Crombie. 

30 



466 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



THE BEAN FAMILY. 

The common ancestor of the Beans of Salisbury was, it is 
believed, John, of Scotland, who emigrated to this country- 
previous to 1660, and settled near Exeter. His wife died on 
the passage, and he married a woman, name not given, who 
accompanied them. They had six sons, as appears from family 
records. It is not possible to trace the genealogy, in full, by 
any authority at command. We have good reason to infer, as 
above stated, that the Salisbury families have inherited the 
blood and sterling characteristics of John, the Scotchman, 



THE ESQUIRE JOSEPH BEAN BRANCH. 

To begin with the record of those who have been identified 
with the history of the town, we find that "Joseph, the son of 
Joseph," born at Kingston, was one of the grantees and an 
early settler in the town. He was known as " Esquire Joseph," 
having been commissioned as a justice of the peace under the 
crown before coming to the new settlement. He was a wealthy 
and influential citizen, the first town treasurer, and loaned 
money to the town to purchase equipments and pay bounties 
to soldiers. Notwithstanding he refused to sign the Test Act, 
and complained of repeated war assessments, he paid his rates, 
was chosen delegate to Exeter in 1775, aided in arresting de- 
serters, and maintained the reputation of a loyal citizen. 

He first settled on Calef Hill, erecting a house there. This 
he subsequently took down, rebuilding, with large additions, on 
the west side of what was once the Fourth New Hampshire 
Turnpike. This house is known as the " Bean Homestead," 
and is now occupied by David F. Bacon. He was greatly inter- 
ested in the building of the turnpike, and was instrumental in 
securing its location by his residence. He was a large owner 
of land, and gave a farm to each of his children. The present 
Gilbert Eastman house, which he built, was given to his son 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 46/ 

Amos. His death occurred "June i, 1804, aged 66.'' A 
Kingston record says: "Joseph, son of Joseph and Betsey 
Fifield, his wife, born Aug. 7, 1744." There is a discrepancy 
in the records which we are unable to reconcile. But it mat- 
ters not just when he was born. We have a history of his 
active life on the records of the town. 



Of the children of Joseph ( i ) are given Joseph ( 2) and Betsey, (3); the latter m. 
Durrell Elliot, of Boscawen. Their other children were: 

Jeremiah, who is recorded "4" on the genealogical page, m. April 10, 1788, Mehit- 
able, dau. of Moses Garland, and rem. to VVilmot. They had six children: 
Polly, d. in infancy; Dorothy, b. Jan. 15, 1791, m. Caleb Tucker (see) ; 
Polly, b. July 15, 1792; Hannah, m. Thomas Brown, of Wilmot ; Moses 
and Joseph d. unm. 

The sth in the line of "Esq. Joseph" was Marian, who m. Feb. 10, 1795, "^^^j- Jabez 
Smith. See. 

The 6th was Amos, who m. ( i ) Dec. 19, 1799, Betsey ( Elizabeth ) Shepherd, who d- 
July 8, 1S08, aged 31 years ; m. ( 2 ) Mrs. Stanley, and res'd in the Gilbert 
Eastman house. His children were : Achsah, d. young ; Phebe, Panuel 
and .\mos, who d. unm. 

( 2.) Joseph, recorded as 7th, was b. Oct. 19, 1767 ; m. P)etsey Perkins, of Sanborn. 
ton, who d. Sept. 20, 1S49, ^ged 84; he d. March 9, 1831. His children 
were: 11. Joseph, b. Jan. 5, 1790. 12. Marian, b. Dec. 10, 1791 ; m. Feb. 
8, 1813, Capt. Moses Pillows. See. 13. Betsey, b. Dec. 18, 1793; "i- Ju'y 
5, 1819, Amos Corser, and res'd at Webster. 14. Nathaniel, b. March 
5, 1796. 

8. Levi, b. in 1770, was known as " Capt. Bean," and built the addition to the Mrs- 

Levi Bean house, where he kept a hotel. He m. April 17, 1797, Abigail 
Stickney; d. Aug. 9, 1814; she d. May 23, 1842, aged 68. Their children 
were: 15. Amos, b. Oct. 28, 1797; d. Aug. i, 1816. 16. Cynthia, b. Sept. 
8, 1799; d. unm. Nov. 4, 1878. 17. Levi, b. Aug. 13, 1805. 

9. Folsoin, m. Dorcas Garland and rem. to Andover. Their children were : 

David, m. June i, 1S17, Dolly Sanborn; Mehitable, m. Charles Bohonon . 
Louisa, unm. 

10. Dorothy, d. unm. June 23, 1839. 

( II.) Joseph remained on the homestead; d. Sept. 30, 1S59, from the effects of a 
fall from a tree ; m. March 19, 1S23, Belinda Bohonon, who d. Dec. 23, 1879, 
aged 78. His children were: 18. Charles E., b. Sept. 27, 1823; m. June 
23, 1856, Julia A. Tupper, and res. at Dell Rapids, Dakota Territory. 

19. Francis B., b. Feb. 4, 1826. 20. Susan E., b. July i, 1S29; m. May 

20, 1856, John Wesley, son of John W. and Lydia (Atwood) Huntoon, b. 
July II, 1834. Their children were; i. Emma A., b. Dec. 28, 1856; m. 
Oct. I, 1874, Henry L. Fellows, and res. at Manchester. 11. George E., b. 
March 8, 1866. 



468 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

21. Belinda A., b. Jan. i6, 1S32; m. Sept. 7, 1854, Alfred B. Richardson ; she d. 

July 19, 1872. Their children were : i. Mary A., b. in Salisbury, Aug. 9, 
1855 ; m. Charles Goodwin, and res. in Manchester. 11. Charles F., b- 
May 20, 1S62. 

22. Joseph W., b. Nov. 15, 1833; m. Jan. i, 1867, M. J. Chamberlain, and res'd in 

Temple ; she d. Jan. 10, 1870. 

23. Robert A., b. Jan. 6, 1840; d. July 27, 1841. 

(14.) Nathaniel, b. March 5, 1796, was a prominent and influ- 
ential citizen, for a long time filled various town offices, 
and was the oldest delegate in the constitutional con- 
vention of 1876. He m. (ist) Melinda Sanborn, who 
d. March 11, 1837, aged 37; m. (2d) Eliza, dau. of Maj. 
Jabez Smith. He d. Jan. 18, 1877. He had two child- 
ren ; (24) infant, d. March 25, 1831 ; (25) Simon S., b. 
March, 1834, d. Dec. 6, 1850. 

( 17.) Levi remained on his father's farm and d. Oct. 23, 1S55 ; m. April 28, 1840, 
Mrs. Almira H. Bohonon, widow of Andrew B. Bohonon., ( see ) b. at 
Alexandria, Oct. 20, 1S16. His children were: 

26. Amos S., b. March 5, 1841 ; m. April 12, i860, L. J. Clark, and res. at Salis- 

bury. 

27. George E., b. Aug. 18, 1S43; ^- '" '^^ army, unm. June 31, 1S64. 

28. Frank P., b. June 10, 1S48; m. May 2, 1S62, E. J. Patton. 

29. Abby J., b. July 4, 1851 ; m. Sept. 31, 1874, H. S. Cook, and resides at 

Wenham, Mass. 
( 19.) Francis Bliss remained on the old homestead; m. Oct. 29, 1852, Almira A. 
Barnes, who d. Sept. 18, 1881 ; he d. Nov. 29, 1881. His children were .' 

30. Bradner, b. Sept. 24, 1853; '"• ^^Y -i> 1871, Margaret E. Chisholm. 

31. Charles O., b. Feb. 3, 1855; m. Aug. 1877, Persis Kimball; res. at Lowell, 

Mass. 

32. Flora E., b. Aug. 30, 1S60; d. June 28, 1S63. 



^ 



THE SINKLER BEAN BRANCH. 



Sinkler Bean was a native of Brentwood, from which place 
he removed to Contoocook (Boscawen) in 1734, and in 
1766 to Salisbury. He built a log house on the west 
side of Blackwater river, on the upland near the Fitz 
meadow, a few rods southwest of D. R. McAllister's 
residence. With the exception of the Meloons, he was 



GENEALOGY AND I5I0GRAPHY. 469 

the first settler west of the Blackwater. A Quaker in 
his religious belief, he refused to sign the "Test Act." 
He was a man of decided moral principle, and his influ- 
ence was always on the side of religion and good citi- 
zenship. He was the first town clerk, after the incorpo- 
ration of the town, and held the office four years. He 
gave the land for the Bean cemetery, and was a member 
of the committee to locate the meeting-house in Bos- 
cawen, in 1767. He was also an elder in the church. 
He m. July 18, 1739, Shuah Fifield, and d. Feb. 21, 1798. 
Their children were : 

2. Abigail, b. Aug. 9, 1740. 3. Mary, b. Nov. 27, 1742. 4. Shuah. b. Feb. 19, 
1745. 5. Uenaiah, b. Sept. 14, 1747. 6. Phineas, b. Sept. i, 1750. 
7. John, b. Sept. 9, 1752; m. Sally Foster. 8. Martha, b. April 2, 1755; 
d. Oct. 20, 1756. 9. Martha, b. June 12, 1757. 10. Sarah, b. Sept. 27, 
1759. 11-12. Mehitable and Nathaniel, b. Nov. 21, 1761 ; Mehitable m. 
Benjamin Fifield. 13. Micajah, b. May 29, 1764; d. July iS, 1764. 

(6.) Phineas was a man of unusual ability, and he built a 
large house and kept tavern on the site of the house 
owned by Frank A. Watson, west of D. R. McAlister. 
Later, he built a frame house here, and here were born 
not only his children, but also those of John and Israel, 
his sons. In these three families thirty children were 
born at this ancestral home. He was appointed coroner 
July 5, 1795, and held the office till 1822 ; was appointed 
a justice in 1802, holding the office through life. He 
served in the revolutionary war, and an old French piece 
which he brought home is now the property of Rev. J. 
W. Bean, of Manchester. He m. Dec. 11, 1770, Judith 
Snow, and had children as follows : 

14. Sinkler, b. June 4, 1772. 15. Anna, b. Nov. 25, 1773; m. — Chaffin and d. in 
Kentucky. 

16. Jonathan, b. Feb. 26, 1776; m. Lydia Hoyt, of Hopkinton, and had thirteen 

children. He settled in Ohio antl died there. I le was commissioned as 
Captain, Sept. 1 1, 1814, and was promoted to Colonel. 

17. Mary H., b. June 23, 1779, d. Nov. S, 1779. 

18. Joshua S., b. July 27, 1780; m. Polly Nelson; was coroner from 1S25 to 1837, 

when he rem. to New Voile, where he died. 



470 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

19. Mary B., b. June 6, 1782; m. 1799, Richard K. Sawyer, of Warner, who d. 
Oct. 1838, at Alexandria ; she d. May, i860, in Minnesota. The eight 
children of Richard K. and Mary ( Bean ) Sawyer were : i. Lois, b. Dec. 
19, 1801, at Newport; d. June, 1863, in Minnesota. 11. Phinehas B., b- 
March 4, 1804, at Newport; d. April, 1853, in Hebron. III. Jonathan B., 
b. March 27, 1806, at Sutton; d. March, 1848, in Alexandria, iv. Moses, 
b. Oct. 15, 1807, in Sutton; d. March, 1876, in Iowa. v. Ann C, b. Sept. 
2, 1809, at Warner; d. Jan. 1857, in Minnesota, vi. Lorenda, b. Feb. 6, 
1813, at Hill; d. Dec. 1875, in Minnesota, vii. Judith, b. Jan. 3, 1818, in 
Sanbornton; d. Dec. 1865, in Minnesota, viii. Mary E., b. Oct. 20, 1823, 
at Alexandria. 

The descendants of this family are given as follows : 

Lois Sawyer m. in 1824, William Abbott. Their children were: Willliam N. 
Abbott, b. at Sanbornton, July, 1827; m. Harriet L. Curtis, of Medford, 
Minnesota; two children. Asa J., b. at Sanbornton, 1829; m. Mary 
Piper, of Sanbornton, and res. at Clinton Falls, Minnesota ; eight children. 
Martin Luther, b. at Sanbornton, 1832; m. Sarah Taylor, of Sanbornton, 
and res. at Grand View, Tennessee ; four children. Mary H., b. at San- 
bornton in 1835 and d. there in 1850. Laura, b. at Sanbornton in 1S38 and 
d. the same year. 

Phinehas B. m. ( i ) Relief Vickery, in [Hebron, in 1S28. Their children were : 
Elizabeth, b. in Alexandria, 1829; d. in 1869, in Lemond, Minn. ; George, b. 
in Alexandria, 1831, d. at Hebron in 1835. Phinehas m. ( 2 ) in 1836, Lydia 
Sanborn, of Bristol. Their children were : George P., b. in 1838, who 
was killed in the battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863; Sarah, m. Matthew 
Heartley, and res. at McCook, Nebraska; two children, Alice, b. in 1848 
and m. in 1882, Herbert Granger ; d. 1883, at Taylor's Falls, Minn. ; Mary, 
b. in 1850, m. Ed. James in 1877 and d. in 187S; one dau. res. in North- 
field, Minn. 

Jonathan B. m. in 1837 Orpha Powell, of Bristol. Their children were: Richard 
K., b. in Alexandria, in 1838; d. in Plymouth, in 1869; he left one son 
who res. in California. Lois Ann, b. in Alexandria in 1840; d. in 1842. 

Moses m. in 1S30, Catharine Ladd, of Hebron. Their children were : Ann Eliza- 
beth, b. in Hebron in 1831, d. 1835. Charlotte E., b. in Alexandria in 
1833, died in Hebron, 1834. Laura A., b. in Hebron in 1836; m. Richard 
Carr, have three children and res. in Advance, Iowa. William A., b. in 
Bristol in 1S38; m. and has three children; resides at Advance, Iowa. 
Mary A., b. in Sanbornton, May, 1842; m. Horatio Morrison and has five 
children; res. at Advance, Iowa. Newell, b. in Sanbornton in 1846; m. 
but has no children; res. at Advance, Iowa. Anna, b. in Sanbornton in 
1858; m. Henry Reynolds, have five children and res. at Advance, Iowa. 

Ann C. m. in 1836, Joseph Sawyer, of Warner. Their children were: Flora A., 
b. at Warner in 1837 ; m. in 1858, Isaac N. Sanborn, of Medford, Minn.; 
have seven children and res. in Windsor, Mo. Mary L., b. in Warner in 
1840; m. 1S59, Alfred Sanborn, of Medford, Minn.; have two sons and 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 47 1 

res. at San Jose, Cal. Joseph, b. at ^Varner, in 1S47; m. in i88r, Nellie 
Abbott ; have two sons and reside at Owatonna, Minn. William F., b. at 
Warner in 1S50; m. and has one son. Joseph and William F. are lawyers 
in Owatonna, under the firm name of Sawyer iV Sawyer. 

Lorenda, m. in 1S34, Ezekiel Sanborn, of Alexandria. Their children were : 
Mariella S., b. at Alexandria in 1S35 ! '^- '" ^^S7< John Jeffrey, of Medford, 
Minn; she d. in 1S79, leaving three children who res. in Medford, Dakota. 
Josiah H., b. at Alexandria in 1S39; m. and has six children; res. in Med- 
ford, Dakota. Colby E., b. at Alexandria in 1841 ; m. Alsina l)eaman, has 
two children and res. at Casson, Minn. Mary A., b. at Alexandria in 
1845; '"• ^" 1864, David Curtis, of Medford, Minn., and res. at Northfield, 
Minn. Lora J., b. at Alexandria in 1848; m. in 1872, at Medford, Minn., 
John Kearney, has four children and res. there. 

Judith m. in 1840, Zachariah Scribner, of Salisbury; had no children ; she died in 
1865, ^t Fairbault, Minn. 

Mary E. m. in 1847, Kendrick Prescott, of Hill. Had Edith M., b. at Hill in 1848 ; 
d. in 1849; res. at Elmwood, Illinois. 

Elizabeth m. about 1852, John Calgan. Their children were: John H., b. in 
Boston about 1853. William, b. in Boston about 1855 and res. at Water- 
town, Dakota. Robert, b. in Boston in 1856, and res. in Miller, Dakota. 
Nellie, b. in Boston in 1858; m. Frank >roran, of Watertown, Dakota, and 
res. there. Josephine, b. at Medford, Minn., in i860; m. Fred. Abbott, of 
Watertown, Dakota. James, b. at Medford, Minn., in 1862, and res. at 
Miller, Dakota. Mary, b. at Lemond, Minn., in 1864. Edward, b. at 
Lemond, Minn., in 1S66. Harry, b. in Lemond, Minn., in 1868. 

20. Phinehas B., b. Oct. 12, 1784, m. ( i ) April 24, iSoS, Mary Atkinson, of Bos- 

cawen, and ( 2 ) Susan Bean. 

21. Judith, b. March 21, 1786; d. Aug. 31, 1869; m. 1S12, Moses Page, who d. 

Nov. 12, 1S35. Children: i. Mary, b. March S, 1813; m. about 1840, 
Andrew Palmer; res. at Garland, Me. Ii. John B., b. April 17, 181 5; d. 
May, 1851. III. David, b. Dec. 7, 1816; m. 1850, Elizabeth Akerman, and 
res. at Alexandria, iv. Moses, b. Oct. 22, 1S18; m. ( i ) 1838, Hannah 
Walker, dead ; had six children, George, Walker, Warren, .Samuel, .\nn 
and Sarah ; m. ( 2 ) Mrs. Fogg and res. at Garland, Me. v. Joshua B., b. 
April 26, 1822; d. Aug. 25, 1S63; m. ( i ) 1850, Jane Phelps, who d. in 
1853; two children, Nahum and Abbie. Hem. ( 2 ) in 1854, Mrs. Thais 
Tyler; had three children, Almira, Mary and Ida. vi. Benjamin Frank- 
lin, b. May 24, 1S25; m. ( i ) April, 1S4S, Harriet A. Danforth, who d. 
Sept. 2. 1851 ; m. (2) 1866, Elvina C. Peaslee; had by first wife, Siphorus 
H., b. in 1849 ; m. 1870, Barbara Seafort ; two children, Ethel and.Mamie ; 
res. at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. .Another son, Harry P., b. in Salisbury, May, 
1851, res. in Manchester. 

22. O. Israel, b. May 11, 17S9. 23. John, b. .\ug. 10, 1791. 

24. Martha, b. Aug. 10, 1791 ; m. June 10, 1S17, Timothy Peaslee. of Sutton ; d. in 
Hollis, Oct. 12, 1875; he d. Aug. 5, 1842, in Alexandria. Their children 
were: i. Jcrusha, b. Dec. 19, 1819; m. Dec. 22, 1S42, Dari-is Babb, of 
Alexandria; their children were, John. C, b. .\pril 15, 1847, who m. Anna 



\ 



472 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Story, and Georgia A.; John had two children, ii. Richard K., b. April 
27, 1822; he went to California in 1849 and has not been heard from. 
III. Harriet B., b. Nov. 30, 1824, d. Jan. 18, 1845, at Nashua, iv. Martha 
A., b. Nov. I, 1S26; m. Henry Elliot, of Hebron; had one son and a dau., 
Edward, who m. Hattie Hamlet, of Canaan, and Hattie. who m. Friend 
Pressey. Edward had two children and Hattie four. v. Henry, b. Dec. 

3, 1829; d. at Alexandria in 1832. vi. Caroline, b. Oct. 16, 1833; m. ( i ) 
Nov. 18, 1852, Gustavus Randlett, of Hebron, who d. April 29, 1870; m. 
(2) S. D. Farrar, of Bristol, who d. May 9, 1884. vii. Elvina C, b. Sept. 

4, 1835; m. Aug. 18, 1S66, B. F. Page, of DeWitt, Iowa. viii. John C, 
b. June 4, 1838; d. Sept. 11, 1841. 

(14.) Sinkler, b. June 4, 1772; m. ( i ) Nov. 22, 1791, Dorothy 
Ouimby; m. (2) Mrs. Mary Woodward. He lived for 
some years on the corner opposite the Union meeting- 
house, where it is said he had a small store. He d. in 
the brick house, on Mutton road. After his death she 
m. Mr. Moody, of the Potter Place, Andover. Their 
children were : 

25. Samuel Q., m. Polly Jones ; d. at Troy, N. Y. 26. Susannah, d. unm. 27. 
William, d. unm. 28. Susannah, m. ( i ) Moses Page ; m. ( 2 ) Phineas 
Bean. 29. Nancy, m. Stephen Blaisdell ; d. in Vermont. 

30. Joshua, b. May i, 1805; m. in 1827, Mary L., dau. of Moses Smith; res. at 

Taftsville, Vt. ; had two daughters, i. Sarah S., b. in Salisbury, March 
30, 1828; m. Jan. 7, 1849, William Reynolds, of Manchester; he d. Sept. 
1877. She went to Manchester in 1846, and from that time devoted 
herself to vocal music, in which she acquired a wide reputation. She has 
sung in the best choirs and at concerts, and was always received with 
great favor. 11. Marietta, b. in Hartford, Vt., in 1831 ; m. Mr. Darling. 

31. Judith d. unm. 32. John d. unm. 33. Reuben C, m. ( i ) Sarrah Follansbee; 

m. (2 ) Adaline Hoyt; d. at Fisherville. 

34. Hannah, m. Silas Elkins, who d. 1885; she d. Sept. i, 1886, both at Boscawen. 

35. Sophronia W., m. Aug. 3, 1S34, Daniel Wells, and res. at Goffstown. 

(22.) O. Israel B, m. (i) 1S14, Shuah Fifield, who d. 1819; m. (2) Dec. 1823, 
Mehitable Fifield, who d. in 1836; m. (3) Rachel, dau. of David Stevens. 
See. He died in 1875. 
The children by the first wife were : 

36. Orzilla B., b. May 19, 181 5; m. ( i ) 1840, John Elkins, who d. in 1854; m. ( 2 ) 

John Thurston, and res. at Boscawen. 

37. Derwin, b. 1817; res'd in Nebraska; m. 1846, Betsey Worthen, who d. in 

1870; he d. in 1885. 

38. Perley, b. in 1819; m. Susan Heath and d. at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1845. 
The children by the second wife were : 

39. Shuah, b. 1824, d. 1840. 40. J. Warren, b. 1826; m. 1835, Lucy Harris; he 

d. in 1864. 41. George W., b. 1828; m. 1846, Ann Davis; d. in 1870. 
42. Jane, b. in 1831 ; m. 1850, John Wright, and res. at Waltham, Mass. 



> V 






GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 4/3 

43. John, b. 1S33; m. Lizzie Davis and res. at Manchester. 44. Myra, b. 
1835 and res. at Philadelphia, Pa. 
By the third wife had : 

45. Abbie S., b. in 1S42; resides at Hanover. 

(23.) John remained on the homestead and its vicinity for 
seventy-three years; removed to Penacook in 1864 and 
d. March 25. 1880. When living he could call the roll 
of eight children, forty-six grand-children, thirty-seven 
great-grand-children, and one great-great-grand-child. 
In 1833 he became a member of the Methodist church, 
(Union meeting-house) and was one of its main sup- 
porters. He was in politics a Democrat, an enterprising 
man, and was highly respected. He. m May 18, 181 5, 
Nancy, dau. of Benjamin and Molly (Hoyt) Hill, who 
d. Dec. 25, 1875. 

46. Erastus, b. March 20, 1S16; m. ( i ) Aug. 27, 1S38, Nancy B. Corliss, of Alex- 

andria; she was b. March 16, 1S20, d. March 20, 1S49; m. ( 2 ) June 28, 
1S49, Phebe W. Nutter, who was b. Feb. 11, 1820, and d. Aug. 20, i8Si ; 
he d. Dec. 31, 1872. 
The children by first wife were; I. Harriet Amelia, b. June 13, 1S39; m. Aug. 16, 
1S55, Samuel IHaisdell, b. Jan. 3, 1836; had three children, Ida A., b. Aug. 
3, 1S56, who m. May 28, 1S73, Winfield S. Willey, and had one child, 
Howard A.; Arthur L., b. Jan. 12. 1S6S, and Edith P., b. Aug. 11, 1875, 
who d. Feb. 3, 1SS4. 11. Ellen Augusta, b. March 17, 1845; ""• ( ' ) 
July iS, 1867, Schuyler Walker, who d. in California, May 28, 1876; m. 
(2) Oct. 31, 187S, Carlos Ordway; had by first husband two children, 
Lulu May, b. Dec. 30, 1870; Alice Maud, b. July 20, 1S73, and d. July 
18, 1S83; child of Phebe \V. iii. Erastus Frank, b. June 20, 1851 ; m. 
Nov. 19, 1870, Edla Dow, who was b. Dec. 9, 184S, at Hopkinton; one 
child, Horace Dow, b. Nov. 3, 1871. 

47. Albert, second son of John and Nancy Bean, was b. at 

Warner, March 11, 1817; m. April 23, 1839, Arvilla A. 
Connor, who was b. at Henniker, May 20, 1820. She 
d. May 2, 1880, at Wautoma, Wis. He was a black- 
smith and for several years worked at his trade in Hen- 
niker. He was also a captain in the militia of that town. 
He removed to Wisconsin, in 1855, and carried on the 
business of manufacturinor wajrons and carriages at Wau- 



474 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

toma for nineteen years. He d. there, March 22, 1872, 
Their children were : 

I. Charles U., b. April ii, 1840, at Henniker; m. and has two children ; res. in 
Smithsville, N. Y. 11. John J., b. April 2, 1842, at Henniker; m. and has 
two children, Mary J. who m. — Wright, and has one son b. in 1885, 
Willie J., b. in 1868 ; res. at Scotia, Nebraska, iii. Francena, b. Sept. 16, 
1844, at Henniker; m. — Whitney; one child and res. in Wisconsin. IV. 
George H., b. at Salisbury, d. in Wisconsn. v. Fred., b. in Salisbury; m. 
and had two children ; d. at Black Hills, Montana, vi. Katie, b. at W^au- 
toma. Wis., m. the Rev. C. S. Vail, and had one child, vii. Eddie, b. at 
Wautoma, Wis., and res. in Wisconsin, viii. Emma, b. at Wautoma, 
Wis., m. — Searl and res. in Wisconsin. 

48. Mary, third child of John and Nancy Bean, b. June 26, iSiS ; m. Sargent 

Sanborn, who was in the 4th Reg. N. H. Vols., and d. at Port Royal 
S. C; she d. Feb. 11, 1848. Their children were : i. Alfred, b. March 
9, 1838; served in Co. C, loth Reg. N. H. Vols.; m. Dec. 7, 1865, Kate 
S. Huntoon, of Salisbury, and res. at Penacook; had four children, one 
b. Sept. 8, 1866, and d. in infancy; Arthur C, b. April 25, 1869; Walter, 
b. — d. Jan. 14, 1S68 ; and an infant, b. March 22, 1874, who d. in infancy. 
II. Martha J., b. May 7, 1840; m. ( i ) Scott Severance; m. (2) — Hoyt; 
(3) — ; had two children, a son and a daughter; res. at Franklin, in. 
John, b. — ; m. — Annis, of Plattsburg, N. Y, and had one child, a son. 
IV. Nancy, b. March 2, 1845; ^- Feb. 20, 1866, William Moore and res. ai 
Goffstown; eight children, William H., Charles C, John E., Frederick L., 
Arthur F., Frank E., George M. and Minnie M. ; one d. in infancy. V. 
Morrison S., b. Oct. 17, 1847; name changed to Bachelder in 1S59; m. (1) 
June 2, 187S. Lottie E. Paine, who d. April 22, 18S0 ; m. { 2 ) Mrs. Emily 
J. Morse, of Pembroke ; two children by second wife, Susan S., b. Aug. 8, 
1882, and Perley A., b. Sept. i, 1885; res. at Chichester. 

49. William D., fourth child of John and Nancy, b. March 22, 1820 ; m. ( i ) Mary 

M. Garland, of Salisbury, Nov. 17, 1842, who d. Jan. 4, 1877 ; m. ( 2 ) Sept. 
27, 187S, Mrs. Abbie Annis. 
Children by his first wife : i. John M., b. Oct. 13, 1S43 ; m. Nov. 28, 1S66, Clara Col- 
lins. II. Mary M., b. Oct. 13, i8.|6. in. William Andrew, b. Dec. 5, 1848; 
m. June 17, 1871, Ida Jane Shepard, who was b. Feb. 28, 1855; two chil- 
dren, James Arthur, b. June 14, 1S72; Maud Lillian, b. Jan. 3, 1877, and 
res. at Concord, iv. Frank E., b. Dec. 29, 1S50; m. Aug. 30, 1871, Mary 
J. Noyes; one child, Jennie Louise, b. Sept. 16, 1873. v. Josiah G., b. 
May 29, 1S53; m. Jennie Agnes Davis, of Ogdensburg, N. Y. ; two chil- 
dren, Mamie Davis, b. April 11, 1S80, at Lowell, Mass.; William Sidney, 
b. Sept. 6, 1882, at Port Henry, N. Y.; resides at Glen Falls, N. Y. vi. 
Lucia A., b. Jan. 28, 1856, m. Jan. 31, 1S69, Fred. M. Morse; one child, 
Ralph Garland, b. July 31, 18S4. 

50. Charlotte, fifth child of John and Nancy, b. April 13, 1S22 ; m. Dec. 26, 1843, 

Lowell Scribner ; res. at Franklin Falls. Their children were : I. George 
H., m. Olive Sanborn ; one child, dead. 11. Edna, m. George Rollins and 




■■- -^ i^rf- 



^J^-YUe^.^ 



I 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 475 

res. in Alexandria, iii. Mary, m. Frank Edwards and res. at Franklin 
Falls; one child, Edith. 

51. Martha, si.\th child of John and Nancy, b. Jan. 12, 1S24; m. May 14, 1845, 

Jason F. Dow, of Walden, Vt. ; res. at Boston, Mass. ; had six children, 
J. Ceylon, Henry C, Alton M., Adin W., Charles 15. and Fred. M. 

52. Moses Hill, seventh child of John and Nancy Bean, was 

b. Oct. 21, 1825. He received a fair education, and 
followed farming until 1846, when he removed to Pena- 
cook, where he worked upon the Penacook or "new" 
mill, then in process of erection, in the employ of H. H. 
& J. S. Brown. He was peculiarly successful in adapt- 
ing himself to various pursuits. He originated the 
trucking business at Penacook, and later farmed for a 
while. At various times he was in the employ of the 
Browns about ten years. In 1862-64, he entered the 
grocery and dry goods business with D. Putnam, and in 
1865 he carried on the same business for himself. In 
1867, he bought out the boot and shoe business of D. 
Marsh, and added the tin and stove business, and after- 
wards the express agency and mail carrying. Disposing 
of the store, he later entered the livery business. He 
was successful as a stone mason, and took many con- 
tracts for work, which stand as monuments of his labors. 
In 1874, he became interested in York Beach, as a sum- 
mer resort, and materially aided in developing its advan- 
tages. He was among the first members of the Baptist 
church, and at one time a deacon. He was a faithful 
christian, a prominent Odd P^ellow, and a staunch Repub- 
lican. He was honored by his fellow-citizens with various 
positions of trust. He believed in education, patriotism 
and temperance. He d. Jan. 12, 1882 ; m. April 5, 1848, 
Elizabeth A., dau. of Eliphalet Brown, of Loudon, who 
was b. October 13, 1824. Their children were : 

I. Moses Quincy, b. July 22, 1849. He attended the common 
schools and Penacook Academy, and graduated from the 
New London Literary and Scientific Institute, in the 
classical course, in 1872. He was by occupation a clerk. 



476 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

March 26, 1875, m. Mary Nellie, only dau. of Prof. Mon- 
roe and Mary A. Weed, the first teachers of Penacook 
Academy. Prof. Weed and wife were, for many years, 
well-known educators in western New York. Mary 
Nellie completed her education at Vassar college, in the 
classical course, class of 1873. In 1873-74, she was 
preceptress in Southbridge, Mass., high school. Their 
children were: i. Raymond Monroe, b. Jan. 24, 1876. 
2. Mary Daisy Gertrude, b. Sept. 18, 1881. 

II. William Arthur, b. July 21, 1S51, at Salisbury. Attended the common schools 
and Penacook Academy, at Penacook. Is a tinsmith and has followed the 
business for years. He m. Nov. 29, 1882, Lillian E., dau. of Bartlett Roby, 
of Sutton. Their children were : William Hill, b. May 29, 1884; Edmund 
Elgin, b. Nov. 10, 18S6. 

III. James Carlos, b. Dec. 19, 1853; d. March 12, 1854. 

IV. Emma Lizzie, b. Dec. 3, 1855, at Penacook, and there attended the common 

schools and academy. She m. Dec. 25, 1882, Jeremiah C. Goodwin, and 
res. at Tamworth ; two children, Florence Belle and Agnes May. 

53. Joshua S., eighth child of John and Nancy, b. Dec. 29, 1827 ; d. Oct. 17, 187 1 ; 

m. March 24, 1849, Sarah T. Woodward. Their children were : i. George 
R., b. June 30, 1851; m. Dec. 23, 1874, Cora F. Sessions; two children, 
Mabel S., b. Nov. i, 1875; Harry L., b. Nov. 12, 1883. 11. Allen Cordis, 
b. Aug. 27, 1853; m. Oct. 31, 187 1, Phebe Ann Crowther, who was b. Feb. 
23, 1S53; four children, Allen Joshua, b. April 11, 1873; Fred. Watkins, 
b. Sept. 4, 1875; Bertie Arthur, b. Sept. 6, 1878; Myra Lucy, b. Aug. 19, 
1885. III. Sarah Elvira, b. Sept. 5, 1855; d. April 15, 1856. iv. Leroy 
Wesley, b. Feb. 20, 1S57 ; m. Etta Loomis; he d. Oct. 30, iSSo. v. Ches- 
ter E., b. Dec. 24, 1S60; m. Dec. 24, 1880, Abbie E. Bennett; one child, 
Mattie, b. Nov. 5, 1S83. vi. Ella E., b. July 27, 1865; m. Dec. 23, 1883, 
Eugene H. Davis, and res. at Warner. 

54. Susan, ninth child of John and Nancy, b. Jan. 29, 1S30; m. May 31, 1853, 

Charles H. Scribner, who d. Oct. 17, 1867; she d. Feb. 7, 1859. Their 
children were: i. Mary A., b. Aug. 14, 1854: m. Sept. 23, 1876, John E. 
Tucker; had one child, Katie L., b. Feb. 2, 1880, who d. Sept. 20, i88o; 
adopted Gracie B. Hunt, b. March 14, 1877, and name changed March, 
18S5, to Gracie B. Tucker. 11. Susie, b. Oct. 27, 1S5S, d. Aug. 14, 1859. 

55. Charles C, tenth child of John and Nancy, b. Dec. 31, 183 1 ; m. May 24, 1854, 

Sophronia, dau. of Nelson Davis, of Warner, and res'd at Penacook. Did 
a large teaming business ; d. April 21, 18S6; children, Chas. N., b. May 25, 
1865, who m. Dec. 28, 1886, Minnie C. Sargent , Nellie G., b. Nov. 20, 1868. 

56. James Movvry, (Rev.) eleventh child of John and Nancy, b. Nov. 18, 1833; m. 

Nov. 13, 1S62, Mary T. Trussell, who was b. at Boscawen, Nov. 26, 1835. 
( See history.) Their children were : I. Laura Adella, b. Oct 2, 1868, at 
Landaff. 11. Alice Mabelle, b. July 8, 1878, at Sandwich. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 47/ 

57. John W., (Rev.) twelfth child of John and Nancy, b. June 17, 1S36. (See 

history.) 

58. Rhoda Jane, thirteenth child of John and Nancy, b. Sept. 23, 1.S3S; m. Feb. 

12, kS6i, Alexander McAlister, and res. on the ancestral homestead. The 
children were: i. Nancy Jane, b. Sept. 15, [864; m. June 23, 1885, Fred. 
Tucker; have one child; res. in Salisbury. II. Susie Rebecca, b. Oct. 31, 
1869. III. CarlosOrdway, b. Dec. 3, 1875. iv. Jessie Maud, b. JuneiG, 1879. 

(56.) The Rev. James Mowry obtained such school advantages 
as were possible in his locality, paying his way at the 
"New Hampshire Conference Seminary" and the Theo- 
logical School, then at Concord. He preached for two 
years at Alexandria, prior to April, 1864, when he joined 
the New Hampshire Conference, and was returned to 
Alexandria for another year. He afterwards preached 
at Lempster and Unity two years. Loudon one year, 
Landaff one year, Manchester (first church) three years, 
Canaan two years, Amherst and Milford two years, 
Goffstown two years, Sandwich one year, Milton Mills 
two years, Londonderry three years, Salem one year, 
and is at present stationed in Kingston. 

(57.) The Rev. John Wesley was very early in life made con- 
scious of his responsibility, and with eagerness sought 
to prepare for a life of usefulness. Receiving his educa- 
tion in Salisbury, he entered the "Methodist Biblical 
Institute," at Concord. After two years of study his 
health failed and he was obliged to relinquish his studies. 
On recovery he was ordained a deacon, by Bishop D. W. 
Clark, at Lisbon, April 11, 1869. He joined the New 
Hampshire Conference, Methodist Episcopal church, 
April, 1 87 1, and after a course of four years study was 
admitted and ordained an elder, by Bishop J. W. Willey, 
at Haverhill, Mass., April 25, 1875. Since that date he 
has been stationed at the following places: Loudon, 
East Tilton, Gilmanton, West Salisbury, Webster, Tuf- 
tonborough, Wolfeborough, Grantham, Chichester, and 
at the first M. E. church, Manchester. Mr. Bean is a 
stirring, energetic preacher, and as a consequence the 



478 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

churches under his ministration have been quickened, and 
a genuine reformation has been the result of nearly every 
change of location. He m. ( i ) Feb. 28, 1858, Phebe D. 
Tucker, who d. Oct. 5, i860; m. {2) May 23, 1861, 
Sarah B. Sanders. The children by his first wife were : 

I. Newell Wesley, b. May 12, 1859; graduated from Dartmouth Medical College, 
Nov. 14, 1882, 'and in practice at Henniker; m. March 5, 1883, Mabelle 
S. Preston, of Derry; two children, Elsa Winifred, b. July 24, 18S4, and 
Edith Florence, b. Feb. 13, 18S6. 11. Minnie Foss, b. Aug. 5, 18S1, 
adopted and name changed to Minnie Florence Bean, March, 1SS6. 



THE BLAISDELL FAMILY. 

The name was very early written Blasdale, then Blasdell and 
Blaisdell. Ralph Blaisdell, ( i ) the ancestor, stands sixty-third 
on the list of original "commoners." He was a man of educa- 
tion and good standing in the colony, officiating as "prudential 
man," constable and attorney in court, at Hampton, in 1648. 
He died in 1650, and his widow, Elisabeth, settled his estate. 
She died in 1665. We trace the family through these several 
generations : 

C. Henry, (2) b. 1632 or 1633; Sarah, b. — , d. Jan. 17, 1647; 
Mary, b. March 5, 1640, m. John Stevens; Ralph, b. in 
1643. C. Henry m. ( i ) in 1656, Mary Haddon, and was 
one of the original proprietors of Amesbury, Mass. He 
kept the Garrison house. She d. Dec. 12, 1690. He 
m. (2) Elizabeth — ; he d. in 1703 or 1704. 

Jonathan, (3) their fifth son, m. Hannah Stevens, of Salisbury, 
in 1699. He was a school teacher, made deeds, settled 
estates, and was selectman for about twenty years ; he 
was also by trade a blacksmith : b. about 1675 and d. in 
1748. He had nine children. 

David, (4) was b. Feb. 5, 1712 ; m. Dec. 10, 1733, Abigail, dau. 
of Samuel and Abigail Colby. He was noted for ingen- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 479 

uity and mechanical skill, and made clocks, ship irons, 
guns, spoons, and various kinds of iron implements then 
in use, besides surgical instruments. In 1756 and pre- 
viously he served as selectman. He died in Aug., 1756, 
at Lake George, N. Y., where he had gone to build boats 
for the army operating against the French. 

Isaac, (5) the third son, was b. March 27, 1738; m. Jan. 22, 
1757, Mary, dau. of Ebenezer Currier, of Amesbury. 
He made twenty-four hour clocks, with but a single 
weight, which operated both the running and striking 
gear. One of these curious clocks is now owned by Mr. 
Isaac K. Blaisdell and keeps perfect time. He was con- 
sidered a very skillful artisan. He frequently held town 
offices in Chester, residing in that part now Auburn, to 
which place he removed in 1762, and from which he 
entered the revolutionary army. They had ten children, 
the two oldest having been b. at Amesbury. He d. in 
1791- She m. (2) Jonathan Swain, of Raymond, and d. 
Dec. 6, 1795. 

Isaac, (6) known as "Major," their second child, was born at 
Amesbury, June 2, 1760. He sold his land in Chester, 
in 1782, and removed to Salisbury, where he soon after 
built a two-story house, near a large apple-tree still stand- 
ing in Sylvester W. Greene's garden. Here he followed 
his trade, which was that of a blacksmith. Previous to 
1791 he rem. to Smith's Corner, settling on the road 
east of D. R. McAlister. Subsequently he returned to 
the Centre Road, purchased the Jacob Bohonon farm, 
to which he soon removed, and d. March 11, 1817. His 
shop stood north of the house, on the opposite side of 
the street. He held the rank of Major in the 2d R«gi- 
ment of Light Horse. He m. ( i ) Elizabeth Grcen,*'of 
Amesbury ; m. (2) Sabra Green ; m. (3) Abigail Petten- 
gill, dau. of Benjamin Pettengill ; she was b. Dec. 31, 
1767. and d. June i, 1858. The Rev. Mr. Burden, when 
preaching at the Centre Road, was accustomed to take 



480 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

daguerreotypes. When Mrs. Blaisdell (who was a mem- 
ber of his church) was past ninety years of age he sent 
her an invitation to sit for her picture. She declined in 
the following lines : 

My hair is gray, my eyes are dim, 

And beauty from my face has fled ; 
My feeble strength can scarce support 

And bear my aged body up. 

I'd rather leave an example bright 

Of all that's excellent and right, 
Than have a picture of my face, 

Which soon will sleep in death's embrace. 

The children of Major Blaisdell were : 

2. Moses, b. July 30, 1789; d. Sept. i, 1S04. 

3. Rachel, b. Oct. 20, 1791 ; m. June 29, 1814, Benjamin Calef. See. 

4. Martha, b. Oct. 28, 1793; i"- Feb. 1820, Trueworthy Blaisdell; d. Oct. 5, 1S55, 

at Manchester; had one dau., Mrs. C. W. Barker, who res. at Manchester. 

5. Mehitable, b. Feb. i, 1796; m. (i) Nov. 27, 1819, Meshech 

Weare, of Andover, who was b. March 4, 1791, and d. 
April 29, 1 841. She m. (2) May 8, 1845, William 
Graves, of Andover, who d. Nov. 6, 1875. She res. on 
the Weare farm. At the age of twenty years she united 
with the Congregational church, under the Rev. Mr. 
Worcester, and was his firm friend through life. On 
the formation of a Congregational church at Andover 
she joined there by letter. Her first attendance at 
school was in the old schoolhouse at the lower end of 
the Centre Road, and her first teachers were Ezekiel 
and Daniel Webster. 

6. Isaac, b. Aug. i, 1798; d. Sept. 28, 1S02. 

7. Kimball, b. Jan. 2, 1801 ; d. Oct. 10, 1S02. 

8. Abigail, b. Feb. 10, 1S03; m. Nov. 24, 1S22, Calvin Campbell, of Hopkinton ; 

he d. at Hill; she moved to Franklin and d. June 6, 18S6. 

9. Drucilla, b. Aug. 10, 1805; m. Oct. 5, 1S25, John Carr, of Hopkinton; rem. to 

Newport, where she d. April 14, 1871. 

10. Isaac K., b. Oct. 10, 1S07. See history. 

11. Benjamin P., b. Majch 18, 1810; rem. to Canada and m. — ; d. Jan. 11, 1870. 

12. Jonathan L., a child by first wife, d. May 10, iSii. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY, 481 

( ID.) Deacon Isaac K. remains on the farm, and is one of 
our enterprising farmers and citizens; is a deacon in 
the Christian church. He m. Dec. 30, 1834, Aurilla, dau, 
of Isaac and Mary (Davis) Sweatt, who was b. at Bos- 
cawen, Nov. 14, 1806, and d. Feb. 14, 1881. Their 
children were : 

13. Isaac S., b. Jan. ii, 1836; d. Nov. 5, 1SS3. 14. Aurilla A., b. June 18, 1837;^ 
d. July 14, 1857. 15. Henry \V., b. Oct. 28, 1838. 16. Drucilla, b. June 
8, 1840. 17. Mehitable, b. Sept. 23, 1841 ; d. July 29, 1844. 18. Meshech 
W., b. April 19, 1844; d. at Mound City, 111., Aug. 20, 1863. 19. Lavinia J. 
b. Sept. I, 1845. 20. Martha L., b. Aug. 24, 1847; d. Aug. 9, i860. 
21. William G., b. Aug. 23, 1849. 



BLANCHARD AND KENRICK FAMILIES. 

Colonel Joseph Blanchard was distinguished in the French 
and Indian wars for his undaunted courage. In 1755 he 
marched his regiment of six hundred men up the valley of the 
Merrimack to the Salisbury fort, where he remained si.x weeks, 
then continuing his march through the wilderness to Crown 
Point and Canada. See Indian history. Chapter XV. 

1. Benjamin Blanchard was probably a member of the above 

regiment. He m. at Hampstead, Azuba Keizer. When 
the regiment left he remained at the fort, purchased land 
and erected a log house in Canterbury. It is supposed 
that his mother was Bridget, a woman of Scotch-Irish 
descent, who was captured at Salisbury by the Indians, 
in 1752, and who was a very courageous woman. After 
remaining for a long time at the lower portion of Salis- 
bury he removed to that part of the old town now within 
the limits of Northwood, where in 1760 he built a log 
house and carried on farming, being the first settler in 
the latter town. He was an enterprising citizen and 
accumulated considerable property. His son was — 

2. Edward, (Captain) m. Isabella Wason, a native of Scotland, 

whose parents were among the very earliest settlers of 
31 



482 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Londonderry. They had nine sons and one daughter. 
Among the former was — 
3. Ebenezer, (Captain) b. in what is now Northfield, June 12, 
1768; m. Sarah Smith, b. at Windham, March 7, 1774. 
She was of Scotch-Irish parentage and a woman of rare 
mental endowments. After marriage she accompanied 
her husband to his northern home, riding upon a side- 
saddle which is still in use. She d. in Franklin, March 
22, 1855, aged 81. Capt. Blanchard began trade in the 
store which stood on his Bay Hill farm in Northfield, as 
early as 1789, and may have continued the same until 
1805. It is said that he opened a store at Sanbornton 
Bridge, now Tilton, as early as 1800, but we understand 
the store stood on the Northfield side of the river, near 
the upper bridge. About 1808 he removed to Salisbury 
and bought the Joseph Noyes place, in what is now 
PVanklin. Leaving his Sanbornton Bridge store in care 
of" a partner, he added a second story to the Noyes house 
in which he resided, the basement of which he used for a 
store, and for more than forty years carried on an exten- 
sive business in general merchandise. It is believed he 
put in the first stock of dry goods in that part of the 
town. He did his own teaming, taking the goods of his 
own manufacture and country produce to Portsmouth 
and returning with groceries, cotton, etc. He made the 
cotton into cloth. He finally sold the store to Thomas 
Greenleaf. Capt. Blanchard and Ebenezer Eastman 
built the first mill on the site of Sulloway's hosiery mill, 
at what is now known as Franklin Falls. Here they 
sawed large quantities of lumber, which they rafted to 
Newburyport, Mass. He d. in Franklin, Feb. 12, 1849, 
aged 81. We have a record only of six children, all but 
• the youngest b. in Northfield, as follows : 

4. Isabella S., b. Dec. 23, 1795; m. Feb. 22, 1S17, James West, of Concord, who 

for years kept the old West tavern on Boscawen Plains. He d. at Frank- 
lin. She d. at Franklin, June 18, 1882. 

5. Edward, b. May 14, 1797 ; d. of spotted fever, Feb. 21, 1799. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 483 

6. Alice, b. Feb. 2S, iSoo; m. Nov. 15, 1S21, Kendall O. Peabody. She d. Dec. 

23, 1832. 

7. Ebenezer K., b. July 4, 1S02; m. Oct. i, 1S26, Kanny Jacques. He d. Feb. 

2S, 1S28. 

8. Cynthia 1'. b. July 17, 1S04; d. at Boscawen, June 27, 1838, unm. 

9. Clarissa Ann was b. in Salisbury, Oct. 7, 181 5; m. Dec. 
29, 1S33, Stephen Kenrick. Mr. Kenrick was b. in 
Haverhill, Mass., June 15, 1806, son of John and Sarah 
(Colby) Kenrick, and the youngest of a family of nine 
children. In 1836 Mr. Kenrick came to Franklin, at 
once identified himself with the interests of the town 
and became one of its most active and prosperous citi- 
zens. He had large interests in several railroads and in 
1861 became president of the Concord & Portsmouth 
road, which office he held until his death. He was also 
president of the National Bank at Hillsborough Bridge, 
and one of the trustees of the Franklin Savings Bank. 
He took a deep interest in the management of the affairs 
of the town, serving as selectman five years and as rep- 
resentative two years. He was a member of the Con- 
gregational church and one of its most generous sup- 
porters. He d. Aug. 4, 1884. Their children were: 

[. Ebenezer B., b. March 3, 1837; d. Aug. 6, 1838. 11. Eben. 
ezer, b. Nov. 6, 1838; d. Feb. 9, 1839. in. Stephen B., 
b. April 9, 1842; m. Elizabeth Ro we and res. at Fort 
Madison, Wisconsin. Is superintendent of the Fort 
Madison & Northwestern R. R. iv. Charles C, b. 
April 8, 1844. He conducts a livery and sale stable at 
Franklin Falls, has a large farm, and is one of the most 
energetic, active and enterprising citizens of that busy 
village, v. John S., b. Oct. 28, 1846; d. Aug. 10, 1847. 
VI. Timothy F., b. July 8, 1849. He completed his edu- 
cation at Dartmouth, and began the study of medicine 
at Long Island College, graduating at Bellevue College 
June I, 1874. Dr. Kenrick was called to the Sanford 
Hall Asylum, Flushing, N. Y., as first assistant physi- 
cian and remained until 1876, when he was given the 



484 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

position of assistant physician in the New York State 
Lunatic Asylum, at Utica. In 1878 he started upon a 
foreign tour, for the benefit of his health, and d. at Na- 
ples, Italy, Jan. 29, 1879. vii. Clarissa A., b. Nov. 8, 
1852; d. Aug. II, 1853. 



THE BLODGETT FAMILY. 

We know but little of the family history of the Blodgetts who 
once dwelt in the town of Salisbury. They were descendants 
of the distinguished Judge Samuel Blodgett, of Derryfield, 
(now Manchester) the builder of the Blodgett canal around 
Amoskeag Falls, and one of the most energetic men in that 
section of the State. 

1. Edward, a nephew, was b. in Charlestown, Mass., in 1771, 

and came to Salisbury East Village in 1 801-2. He res'd 
for a time in the toll-house, built the house now occupied 
by J. H. Powell, and lived there. This house formerly 
stood with the south-east corner to the street, so that he 
could sit in it and look both ways. He was once engaged 
in trade in the old Eastman store, and later in life did 
much surveying. He was appointed a justice of the 
peace June 15, 1807. He d. in 1844; m. Ruth Kimball, 
of Chester, who d. in 18 18. Their children were: 

2. Harriet, b. in 1802; m. Thomas H. BuUard. 3. Eliza, b. March 20, 1S04; d. at 

Concord, unm. 4. Julius Caesar. 

5. Augustus Caesar, b. March 25, 18 10. He was a printer and 
once one of the proprietors of the New Hampshire States- 
man. He rem. to Peterborough, and subsequently went 
to the west, where he died. 

(4.) Rev. Julius Caesar was b. in Salisbury, March 6, 1806, at 
which time his parents res'd in the toll-house. His edu- 
cation was acquired in the common schools and at Salis- 
bury Academy. He was ordained a minister of the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 485 

Christian denomination, at Sanbornton, in Jan., 1830, 
and preached at E.xeter, Newton, Franklin and Kensing- 
ton, besides at several i:)laces in New York and at Port- 
land, Maine. He spoke with i^reat force and energy and 
was a very effective revivalist. In 1845 he became edi- 
tor of the Christian Herald, the organ of the Christian 
denomination, then published at Exeter. He possessed 
both talent and taste for literary work. He m. Sept. 3, 
1837, Abigail C. Shaw, of Kensington, youngest dau. of 
Rev. Elijah Shaw, a justly celebrated minister of that 
church. He had three daughters and four sons. His 
active labors covered a period of forty-three years. Died 
at Kensington, March 26, 1878. 



THE BOHONON*. FAMILY. 

In the old cemetery at the South Road Village repose the 
remains of a large part of at least three, and a part of four and 
five generations bearing this name, so often heard a century 
ago and for two-score years later, but rarely mentioned now 
except in quaint legend, but around which cluster tales of 
valiant deed and pleasant memory. 

THE FIRST GENERATION. 

In the early settlement of Contoocook (now Boscawen) in 
the spring of 1734, the fourth name on the list of the twenty- 
seven first settlers was Andrew Bohonon. He is presumed to 
have come there from Salisbury or Newbury, Mass., and tradi- 
tion familiar to his descendants declares him a native of Scot- 
land, a son of — and — (Johnson) Bohonon, of most respectable 
and well-to-do family. He was imprcs.sed for duty at sea at the 

•The ancestral name was 15uchanan, but s<i:iie of tlie ciescendants prior to or about 
the time of the birth of this emigrating ancestor changed the spelling to Bohonon. 
So many varying and trivial reasons are assigned in tradition for the change that 
the writer omits mention of any, as unsatisfactory. .Some of the descendants of 
this emigrant adhere to the original spelling, Huchanan. In Scotland the names 
are synonymous. 



486 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

early age of fourteen years. Some declare he was enticed on 
board a ship anchored in the harbor and when the vessel sailed 
restrained from going on shore, instead of being regularly im- 
pressed. The vessel on which he was doing duty, making a 
trip to this country and landing at Boston, he decided to tarry 
in America. 

In early life he frequently talked of returning to the mother 
land and the comforts of his early home ; but frontier life proved 
fascinating, and, marrying, his wife and children afterwards per- 
suaded postponement until such plans were from time to time 
deferred, then finally abandoned. 

Born about 1709, he married in 1734-5 Tabitha Flanders, 
first child of Deacon Jacob and Mercy (Clough) Flanders, early 
settlers of Boscawen, from South Hampton, and on Jan. 22, 
1736, was born to them Sarah, the second female white child 
born in that town.* The year following, Aug. 11, 1737, was 
born Andrew, (Jr.) the first male child born in Boscawen. f 

A man but little above medium stature, but of lithe and sin- 
ewy limb ; strong in courage, possessed of remarkable energy 
and great power of endurance ; with mental abilities above the 
average, modest, companionable, full of quaint humor, and 
sparkling with ready wit, he was a favorite with all, and his 
witty sayings are quoted to this day. 

He served in the company organized for Indian defence, in 
1743-4, afterwards in the French and Indian wars, again in 
1754, in Capt. Joseph Eastman's company, and in 1755 in Col. 
Blanchard's regiment, in the expedition against Crown Point. 
He also served in one or more campaigns against the French 
and Indians in 1756. After his return he made a permanent 
settlement on Salisbury south road, having begun living there 
some years before, and was active in public affairs. At the 
beginning of the revolutionary war he was too far advanced in 
years for continuous military duty, but with his old zeal re-kin- 
dled he was enrolled in the "alarm list," and performed some 
service in that campaign. He reared a family of devoted 

*Rev. Ebenezer Price's History of Boscawen, 1820. 
tPublished Obituaries, 1826. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 48/ 

patriots, who did efficient service in their country's struggle for 
independence, and after a long and useful life died in Salisbury 
about 1803. His wife, Tabitha, a devoted christian wife and 
mother, died at Salisbury, Feb. i8, 1810, having reached the 
remarkable age of one hundred and one years. The New 
Hampshire Patriot of March 6, 1810, says: "Three of her 
children attended her funeral whose ages aggregated two hun- 
dred and thirteen years, one being seventy-four, one seventy- 
two and one sixty-seven years of age. A great-grand-child of 
Mrs. B. was buried at the same funeral." 

The name multiplied with succeeding generations but has 
now become nearly or quite extinct in Salisbury. Occasionally 
to this day some remote descendant visits this town, to pay at 
the old shrine loving tribute to the memory of a patriotic and 
honored ancestry. 

The following children of the second generation were b. in Boscawen : 

1. Sarah, b. Jan. 22, 1736; m. — Judkins and settled in Salisbury. 

2. Andrew, b. Aug. 11, 1737. See. 

3. John, b. Feb. 29, 1740; was ta.xed in Salisbury 1791-6, after which time it is 

said he rem. to and settled in Xew Brunswick. 

4. Jacob, b. Nov. 22, 1741. See. 

5. Ananiah, b. July 22, 1743. See. 

(2.) Andrew, long and familiarly known as Ensign Bohonon, 
came to Salisbury from Boscawen with his father's fam- 
ily, not far from 1750. The son of a gallant soldier, he 
was early imbued with the spirit of his father, and at 
seventeen years of age (1755) was engaged in the 
French war, under Capt. John Stark, (afterwards Gen. 
Stark,) and continued with the Rangers until the close 
of that war. When the revolutionary war began, no less 
ready to engage in his country's cause, he turned out as 
a volunteer under Capt. Connor, of Pembroke, went to 
Winter Ilill and continued there during the siege of 
Boston. In 1776 he joined the company of Capt. Benj. 
Emery, in Col. Baldwin's regiment, was in the battle of 
White Plains, and continued with the army until the fol- 
lowing winter. In 1777 he was a Lieutenant under Capt. 



488 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Ebenezer Webster, and was in the battle of Bennington, 
under Stark. In 1778 he again turned out as a volunteer 
and went with Gen. Sullivan to Rhode Island. While 
there the volunteers were ordered to take their stand 
upon the lower pickets, near where lay the enemy's 
ships. One morning when he was on guard he espied a 
British lieutenant of marines in a field of corn at no 
great distance from him. He hailed the bold intruder, 
brought him to and ordered him to lay down his arms, 
which the proud Briton found it necessary to do, and our 
hero marched in with his prisoner of war amidst the loud 
acclamations of his fellow-soldiers. An obituary notice 
of considerable length, from which the above facts are 
selected, appears in the New Hampshire Patriot of June 
1 2th, 1826, which adds: "Lieut. Bohonon maintained 
through life a uniform character of integrity and upright- 
ness." A builder and joiner by occupation, houses are 
still standing in Boscawen and Salisbury the building of 
which was under his supervision. He was said to have 
been a handsome man, particularly in form and figure, 
and in continental days was conspicuous by his pictur- 
esque personal appearance. 

" The old three-cornered hat, 
The breeches and all that 
Were so queer.'' 

He m. (first) in 1762, Susannah Webster, b. in East 
Kingston, in 1741, (baptized Jan. 31, 1742, by Rev. Peter 
Cofifin.) She was the dau. of Ebenezer and Susannah 
(Bachelder) Webster, and the sister of Judge Ebenezer 
Webster, the father of Daniel Webster. The wedding 
was long remembered in Salisbury, and for many years 
afterwards the guests were pleased to relate how they 
"danced on white sugar" at Lieut. Bohonon's wedding, 
the floor being covered with powdered loaf sugar instead 
of sanding it as was the custom at that time. Mrs. 
Bohonon, conspicuous for her ability, of rare qualities of 
mind and heart, was a lady of commanding presence, a 



GENKALOGY AND BIOGRAPHV. 489 

devoted christian, much confided in and greatly beloved 
by all. The family were especially hospitable, and full 
neighborhood gatherings were frequently held at their 
house. On that memorable dark day of 1780, May 19, 
so long remembered, so vividly recounted, in the middle 
of the forenoon, as the darkness increased, the clouds 
assumed a more forbidding appearance, and birds flew 
into the houses through open doors or windows, the 
people became greatly alarmed ; consternation generally 
prevailed, and as the darkness became more intense the 
people were terrified; the neighborhood gathered at 
Ensign Bohonon's, the house became filled to overflow- 
ing, and fear seemed depicted on every countenance. 
Mrs. B. took her chair into the yard, (a scene for the 
painter) opened her bible, and by the lurid glare of the 
torch, in that awful stillness of great alarm, read to those 
who gathered about her. Listen ! catch the comforting 
words : 

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the 

mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 
Though the water thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains 

shake with the swelling thereof. 
The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. 
Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I 

will be exalted in the earth. 
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." 

And then, on bended knee, with upturned eye, a suppli- 
cation reassuring : 

"That coming light no mortal cloud 

Can quite enshroud I 
Through all our doubts, above the range 
Of every fear and every change. 
Our faith can see, with weary eye. 
The dawn of heaven on earth's dim sky ; 

And from afar 
••Chines on our souls the morning star." 

Beloved and lamented by all, she died three years later, 
April 27, 1783. 



490 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Children {3d generation) born in Salisbury : 

6. Stephen, b. Oct. 10, 1763. See. 7. Ananiah.'b. April 6, 1765. See. 

8. Jacob, b. Feb. i, 1767. See. 9. Hannah, b. — 1769; d. in 1787, unm. 
10. Josiah, b. in May, 1772. See. 11. Moses, b. Feb. 22, 1774. See. 
12. Olive, b. March 7, 1777. See. 13. Dorcas, b. Feb. 23, 1779. See. 
14. Mary, (Polly) b. April 11, 1780. See. 15. George, b. in Sept., 1782; rem. to 
and settled in Ohio, but d. in early life. 

Andrew Bohonon m. (second) in 1784, Mrs. Betsey (McMiles) 
Garvin. His children by second wife were : 

16. Betsey, b. in Aug., 17S5; was a teacher in Montpelier, Vt., and d. in that town 

May 6, 1829. 
Andrew Bohonon d. May 24, 1S26. His second wife, Betsey Garvin, d. about 1S15. 

17. Ebenezer, b. in 1790, was in the army in the war of 18 12- 

14. He wrote home from near New Orleans, saying 
they had been ordered to and were just leaving for that 
city and that he would write again on arrival there. He 
was never heard from afterwards. 

"His ashes flown 
No marble tells us whither." 

" A rest for weary pilgrims found, 

They softly lie and sweetly sleep 

Low in the ground." 

(6.) "Major Stephen Bohonon," ( we copy from the press of 
Feb., 1 83 1,) "was one of the last survivors in Salisbury 
of the revolutionary war. He was distinguished among 
that hardy corps known as the Rangers. Early in the 
war, when less than sixteen years of age, his uncle, Capt. 
Ebenezer Webster, then commanding a company of mil- 
itia, called one morning at the house of his sister and 
said to her at the door that she must give up Stephen 
too, (her husband was already in the service,) to go and 
aid the cause of the country. He dwelt upon the urgent 
need of more men, and at once, or all might be lost. A 
mother's fond misgivings for a moment caused her to 
hesitate, but the spirit which animated the breast of 
Webster glowed also in the heart of his sister, and 
Stephen was given up to the service, on the promise of 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 49I 

Capt. Webster that his nephew for a tune at least should 
not be exposed but serve as his clerk and waiter. With- 
in doors Stephen had heard all, and with a temper worthy 
of his family came forward and said, ' Uncle, I wish to 
go into the service, but I will not go as a waiter to any- 
body ; I will enter the ranks as a soldier.' 'Stephen,' 
replied Capt. W., 'you are a brave boy and shall serve 
in such manner as you please.' He immediately pro- 
ceeded in the company under his uncle's command to 
Bennington, and performed his part well in the engage- 
ment with the British troops under Gen. Baum. Imme- 
diately afterward he entered the regular service and re- 
mained in it in different positions during the war, justi- 
fying by his conduct at all times the hope inspired by 
his heroic bearing in boyhood." Judge Nesmith relates 
of him the following : " Major B. was under Capt. Web- 
ster at West Point, in a six months' service, when the 
treachery of Arnold was discovered. Capt. W. had the 
distinguished honor of being selected to guard Washing- 
ton's headquarters the night following the discovery. 
Washington invited Webster to his room and said to 
him, ' I have seen you at the Boston siege and in the 
White Plains campaign, and if I cannot trust you I cannot 
trust any one. I now pledge you in a glass of wine ; 
place your company around my quarters this night.' 
Webster obeyed the order, considering himself highly 
honored. Bohonon walked before his tent all night, and 
said Washington did not once lie down but was employed 
in writing through the night." Major. B. built the first 
house on the site of the Congregational church parson- 
age, (the Andrew Bovvers house,) and in one of the front 
rooms he kept a small stock of goods. This was proba- 
bly the first store at the South Road Village, if not the 
first in town. For many years Major B. resided in Chel- 
sea, Vt., and was prominent in public affairs, having been 
a magistrate, town clerk in 1791, member of the State 
legislature in 1796, etc. But the last twenty years of 



492 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

his life were spent in Salisbury, the village in which he 
was born. He m. March 8, 1785, Olive Elliott, who was 
b. in Boscawen, 1765, and d. June 10, 1843. He d. Jan. 
26, 183 1. The N. H. Patriot of Feb. 7, 183 1, noticing 
his death, says: "His funeral was attended by a large 
concourse of citizens, among whom were eight soldiers 
of the revolution, each nearly eighty years of age, with 
appropriate badges, moving in a body in the solemn fun- 
eral march to the last home of their companion in arms ; 
doubly affecting on account of the deep unction mani- 
fested by those few and infirm remnants of the army of 
independence. The tear which fell in silence down their 
furrowed faces bespoke the depth and the strength of 
the tide of memory which overwhelmed them ; the whole 
funeral ceremonies were appropriate to the character of 
the dead, and full of instruction to the living, offering 
strong encouragement to the active generation to serve 
well their country in time of need, by affording proof 
that such services would not be forgotten." The child- 
ren of the 4th generation were : 

I. Benjamin, b. in Salisbury, Feb. 15, 17S6; m. Olive Archelaus, of Boscawen. 
He d. Sept. 27, 1S26, leaving two children, Charles and — 

II. Susan, b. in Salisbury, Feb. 20, 17S8; d. in Chelsea, Vt., Jan. 9, 1792. 
III. John E., b. April 13, 1790. He became a sea captain of note. His portrait, 
with chart and compass, adorns the wall of a pleasant cottage in Salisbury. 
He m. Elizabeth — and d. in Manchester, Mass., Feb. 26, 1842. His wife 
and one child survived him but a few years. 

IV. Susan, 2d, b. March i, 1793; ^- '" Salisbury, June 16, 1S75, unm. 
V. Andrew Bowers, b. July 8, 1795. ^^ served as a musician in the war of 1812- 
14. He. m. April 28, 1834, Almira H. Corliss. He d. Dec. 19, 1839. His 
children were: (i) Eliza, b. June 17, 1836; m. Oct. 29, 1854, C. H. Mor- 
rill. (2) Stephen, (twin) b. May 15, 1839, d. Jan. 7, 1840. (3) Olive, 
(twin) b. May 15, 1839; m. (first) May 25, 1853, N. C.Elliott; he d. May 
24, 1871, and she m. (second) Harrison Corning. The widow of Andrew 
B. m. ( second ) Levi Bean. 
VI. Hannah, b. 1796, d. May 23, 179S. She was drowned in Chelsea, Vt. A little 
playmate, with clothing drenched with water, was observed coming along 
the road crying. When inquired of as to where she had been and the 
cause of her distress, she replied, "In the brook — and Nannie's in the 
brook now." She was found in a few moments but life was extinct. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 493 

VII. Ebenezer Webster, b. in 1799. He was in the war ( 1814 ) three months, doing 

garrison duty at Portsmouth. He m. Jan. 28, 1822, Mary Elliott. He d. 
July 20, 183S. Their children were: (i) Emily, m. James Francis; she 
d. Sept. 15, 1850, leaving one child, ^^ary Ellen. (2) Ann Jeanette, d. 
Aug. 24, 1S46. (3) Charlotte, m. — Clough, settled in Mass. 
VIII. Belinda, b. April i, 1801 ; m. March 19, 1823, Joseph Bean, Jr.; she d. Dec. 
231 1879. See Bean genealogy. 
IX. Hannah, 2d, b. in 1802 ; m. Oct. 2, 1825, Pearson Rolfe, and settled at Fort 
Covington, N. Y. She d. Sept. 23, 1879. 

(7.) Major Ananiah Bohonon was another soldier in the war 
for independence, entering the army March 13, 1781, 
and rendering efficient service until the disbanding of 
the forces in 1783. He served first in Capt. Webster's 
company, together with his brother Stephen, their father 
(Andrew) being Lieut, in the same company. In figure 
he was very erect, and was personally complimented by 
Baron Steuben for his fine soldierly bearing when the 
troops were passing in review before that officer. After 
the close of the war he settled in Salisbury, but about 
1796 he removed with his brother Stephen to Chelsea, 
Vt. He is spoken of in "Reminiscences of Chelsea" as 
"possessing natural talent almost the equal of his distin- 
guished cousin, Daniel Webster, and, like the rest of the 
Bohonons, exceedingly bright and witty." He m. at 
Salisbury, June 16, 1795, Sarah Cushing, b. Dec. 26, 
1 77 1, dau. of Caleb and Sarah (Sawyer) Cushing. He 
d. Sept. 7, 1853; she d. Aug. 12, 1850, at Chelsea, Vt. 
Children (4th generation) b. at Chelsea, were: 

I. Betsey, b. Jan. 17, 1797; d. at Nashua, Dec. 27, 1875. 
II. Susan Webster, b. March 12, 1799; d. in Chelsea, Aug, 26, 1870. 

III. Andrew, b. Aug. i. iSoi ; rem. to Hampton, Me., in 183S; d. in 1S63 or 1S64. 

IV. Olive, b. Aug. 16, 1803; d. in Jan., 1804. 

V. Isabel, b. Dec. 19, 1804; rem. to Nashua in 1855. 

VI. Adaline, b. June 12, 1807; m. at Corinth, Vt., Sept., 1830, Jonathan March, 
who was b. at Springfield, in 1S04 ; he d. in the U. S. naval service. Had 
Charles, b. May 10, 1834. 
VII. John Wainwright, b. Oct. 25, iSog; d. Jan. 10, 1818, at Chelsea. 

VIII. Lucrctia Dearborn, b. Aug. 6, 1812; m. at Lowell, Mass., March 15, 1S38, 

Samuel Scott, and settled at .Montpelier, Vt., in 1S39. He d. June 25, 
18S0. Their children were: ( i ) Ellen, b. Aug. 26, 1S39, and d. in 1840. 



494 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(2) Ellen, b. in Jan., 1842, d. in 1844. (3) Ellen, b. Nov. 7, 1844, a 
teacher in New York city. (4) Walter, b. Feb. 15, 1847 ; d. July 4, 1851, 
in Montpelier, Vt. (5) Winfield, b. Oct. 55, 1849; d. in New York city, 
Nov. 9, 1878. 
IX. Sophia, b. Feb. 28, 18 16. 



(8.) Jacob, a carpenter and builder. He erected many build- 
ings in and around Salisbury, and some of the college 
buildings at Hanover. He rem. to Danbury later in life. 
He m. in 1789, Sarah Judkins, of Brentwood, b. Jan. 5, 
1773 ; he d. in 1832, she d. in 1850. Their children (4th 
generation) were: 



I. Stephen, b. Feb. i, 1790; served in the war of 1812. He m. in 1827 Rebecca 
YV^illard, and settled in Bristol. He d. Oct. 13, 1878 ; she d. Jan. 27, 1851. 
Their children were : ( i ) Melinda Ruth, b. March 30, 1828; d. June 23, 
1846. ( 2 ) John Willard, b. Oct. 15, 1830, d. in Feb., 1832. (3) Lucy M., 
b. Oct. 15, 1830; m. Dec. 21, 1848, Moses Emmons and res. at Bristol. 
(4) Leonard W., b. July 16, 1835; m. July 4, 1859, M. J. Dily and res. at 
Alexandria. (5) Daniel Webster, b. March 25, 1842. See. 

II. Susan Webster, b. in 1792; m. in 181 5 Calvin Cilley ; he d. at Tunbridge, Vt, 
in 1836; she d. at Lowell, Mich,, 1876, leaving four children, one of whom 
is the Rev. E. G. Cilley, of Holton, Mich. 

III. Samuel, b. in 1792, settled at Boston, Mass., and d. in 1826. 

IV. Sarah, b. in 1794, m. Jonathan Snow, of Concord, Mass. He d. in 1843, she 

d. in 1852 ; had four children. 
V. Sophia, b. in 1796; m. Asa Kimball, of Brushton, N. Y. He d. in 1872, she 

d. in 1878; had four children. 
VI. Hannah, b. in 1798, and m. James Fairbanks, of Holliston, Mass. He d. in 

1825, she d. in 1S26. 
VII. Leonard, b. in 1799 and d. at Augusta, Ga, in 1834. 
VIII. Mary Bowers, b. in 1800 and d. at Danbury in 1S26. 
IX. Betsey, b. in 1802; m. Jonathan Clark, of Danbury. He d. in 1S82 ; she d. in 

1824; had one child. 
X. Ruth Webster, born in 1S03 and d. in 1828. 
XI. Louisa Webster, b. in 1S05, and d. at Brushton, N. ¥., in 1830. 
XII. Jacob, b. in 1S06; m. Mary Nutting, of Jaffrey, and settled in Danbury. He 
d. in 1875, she d. in 1855 > had 4 children. 

XIII. Lucy Maria Vaughn, b. in 1808 and d. at Brushton, N. Y., in 1825. 

XIV. Olive W^arren, b. in 1811 ; m. Isaac C. Perkins and settled in Danbury. Had 

two children. 
XV. Martha Ann, b. in 1813 and d. in 1834. 
XVI. Moses Henry, b. in 1S15; m. Hannah Wright and settled in Brookline. He 

d. in 18S4, she d. in 1870 ; had six children. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 495 

(lo.) Josiah, a carpenter and joiner by occupation. About 
1808 he went to Chelsea, Vt., but soon after removed to 
and settled in Alburgh, Vt. He was among the Vermont 
volunteers who marched to the defence of Plattsburgh, 
in 1 8 14. Several buildings now standing in Alburgh 
attest the work of his hands in the earlier years of the 
present century. He m. about 1810 Esther Reed, of 
Sheldon, Vt. He d. in 1844; she d. in 1836. Their 
children were : 

I. Andrew, b. iSii ; m. Anna Gates; d. in Jan., 1S75; had five cliildren. 
II. Chauncey, b. 1813; m. Maria Ann Gilbert and had three children. 

III. Roena, b. 1814; m. Theodore Storm and had four children. 

IV. Olive, b. 1816; m. Philip W. Deuel and had-four children. 
V. Josiah, Jr., b. 1818, m. Anna Sweet; d. in May, 1S85. 

VI. Mary, b. in 1819, m. Martin Reed. 
VII. Moses, m. Moniva Morehouse; had eight children. 
VIII. Esther, m. Hosea Orcutt ; had four children. 

IX. Lucy, m. George .Sheldon and had eight children. 
X. Amanda, m. Alexander Anderson. 

XI. Reed, m. Samantha Strait; had four children. 

(11.) Moses, son of Andrew and .Susannah (Webster) Bohon- 
on, was b. in Salisbury, Feb. 22, 1774. He was possessed 
of a vigorous and active mind, quick and keen in obser- 
vation, a character of marked e.xcellence in business and 
social relations. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker 
by occupation, employing several men. Specimens of 
his cunning and ingenious handiwork are still preserved. 
He was a great favorite among the family connections 
and in the neighborhood generally, and his early death 
was much lamented. He m. at Orange, Jan. i, 1801, 
Lois Waldo, b. in Canterbury, Ct., March 30, 1777. She 
was a daughter of Dr. Nathan and Zerriah (Payne) 
Waldo, early settlers of Cardigan, now Orange.* He d. 
in Salisbury,. Aug. 5, 181 1 ; she d. in Concord, May 5, 
1856. Their children (4th generation) were: 

•Nathan Waldo was a descendant of Deacon Cornelius Waldo, of Ipswich, 
Mass., (1654.) Zerriah Payne was a dau. of Rev. Klisha Payne, of Long Island, and 
a sister of Hon. Elisha Payne, who was conspicuous in the early history of New 
Hampshire and Vermont. The latter's wife was also Nathan Waldo's sister. 



496 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

I. Louisa Waldo, b. in Salisbury, Oct. 28, 1802. She taught school in early life 
and m. at Concord, April 29, 1S29, Capt. John Chamberlin Ordway, son of 
Joses and Lucy Chamberlin Ordway, b. in Loudon, Nov. 3, 1801. They 
settled in Concord, where their entire married life was passed. He d. 
March 5, 1870; she d. Nov. 28, 18S0. " She was a singularly devoted and 
self-sacrificing mother, a true and constant friend; all who came under her 
influence loved her deeply." 

Their children ( 5th generation) born in Concord were: ( i ) Harriet Sherman, 
b. March 16, 1830. (2) Ellen Louisa, b. Dec. 27, 1831. {3) Eliza 
Frances, b. Dec. 29, 1833. (4) John Chamberlin, Jr., b. Jan. 30, 1839. 

( 12.) Olive, m. at Salisbury, Jan. 2, 18 14, (second wife) Love- 
well Warren, of Middlesex, Vt., b. in Marlboro', Mass., 
Oct. 25, 1764. He d. Sept. 30, 1834; she d. Feb. 15, 
1861. One child, William Z., b. Dec. 19, 1818; d. May 
15, 1872. 

(13.) Dorcas, m. in Chelsea, Vt., Jan. 12, 1797, Elias Lathrop, 
of Vershire, Vt., b. in Norwich, Ct., Feb. 18, 1763. He 
d. March 5, 185 1; shed. Oct. 5, 1862. Their children, 
b. in Vershire, Vt., were : 

I. Betsey, b. in 179S, m. in 1827 Franklin Carlton, of Morristown, Vt. She d. in 

1882. Of four children but one survives. 
II. Elias, b. in 1800; m. in 1838 Nancy Durgin and settled in Chelsea, Vt. He 
d. in 1S63. 

III. Rufus, b. in 1802; m. in 1832 Ruth Shaw and settled in Vershire, Vt. He 

d. in 1878. Of five children but three are now living. 

IV. Chauncey, b. in 1S05; m. in 1835 Sarah Pickering and settled in Chelsea, Vt. 

He d. in 1882. 
V. Olive, b. in 1807; m. in 1S37 Peter Bragg and settled in Strafford, Vt. Had 

one child, deceased. 
VI. Alfred, b. in 1811 ; m. in 1838 Mary Sawyer and settled in Vershire, Vt. He 

d. in 1866. Of two children but one survives. 
VII. Hiram, b. in 1814; m. in 1S42 Harriet Richardson and settled in Vershire, 

Vt. Of four children three are living. 
Yill. Warren, b. in 1820; m. in 1S66 Nellie Aldrich and settled in Versl^ire, Vt. 
Had four children, two of whom are living. 
IX. Lodicy, b. in 1824; m. in 1850 John Long and settled in Amesbury, Mass. 
Had five children. 

(14.) Mary, (Polly) m. in Salisbury, in 1803, James Taylor, b. 
in Danbury, Jan. 17, 1781 ; settled in Salisbury, but in 
18 18 rem. to Montpelier, Vt. She was a woman of rare 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 49/ 

qualities and greatly beloved. She d. July 26, 1868 ; he 
d. Dec. 15, 1855. Their children (4th generation) born 
in Salisbury, were : 

I. Caroline, b. April 13, 1S04; m. Oct. 9, 1826, Luther Warren, b. in Middlesex, 
Vt., March 13, 1S03; settled first at Montpelier, Vt., later in life at Nashua, 
lie d. March 9, 1S81. Their children were: ( i ) Mary Amy, b. in Mid- 
dlesex, Vt., Jan. 17, 1S2S. (2) Charles Henry, b, Oct. 14, 1829; d. at 
Yellow Springs, Ohio, Oct. 27, i860. (3) James Taylor, b. Nov. 13, 1831. 
II. Ephraim, b. Jan. 21, 1S06; m. Amy Hill and settled at Middlesex, Vt., but 
rem. to Barton in 1854. Of four children but one is now living. 

III. Susan Webster, b. Dec. 10, 1807 ; m. Leander Warren and settled in Middle- 

sex, Vt. Of four children three are now living. 

IV. Rufus, b. Oct. II, 1809; m. (first) Amanda Post, and had four children; m. 

(second) Sarah Robinson and had one child. Settled at Montpelier, but 
later rem. to Nashua. 
V. Moses Bohonon, b. May 8, 1812; m. Betsey May, settled in Middlesex and 
afterwards in Montpelier, Vt., and now res. in Berlin. Had five children 
of whom two only are living. 
VI. Hannah Louise, b. Nov. 17, 1813, d. March 22, 1845. 
VII. Mary Ann, b. Oct. 21, 1S15; m. ( as second wife ) William Johnson and settled 

in >L'inchester, Mass. She d. Oct. 12, iSSo; had one child, deceased. 
VIII. Eliza Ann, b. in Middlesex, Vt., June 9, 1821, and res. in Montpelier. 
IX. James French, b. in Middlesex, Vt., Dec. 23, 1822; m. Clara W. Davis, settled 
in Montpelier but afterwards rem. to Barton, Vt. He d. May 13, 18S4; 
had three children, two now living. 

(4.) Jacob, son of the first Andrew, served in the revolutionary 
war as early as April, 1776. He was in the battle of 
Bennington, 1777, and probably continued in the service 
later, perhaps through the war. He settled in Salisbury 
and m. about 1761 — Fifield. Late in life they lived for 
a time with their son, in Vermont, but both d. in ad- 
vanced years in Springfield, later than 18 16. Their 
children, b. in Salisbury, were : 

18. John, b. in 1762. See. 19. Joanna, b. in 17(14; m. Moses Page, settled in Salis- 
bury. 

(iS.) John, (long known as Capt. John,) m. about 1789 Mercy 
Dearborn, b. in 1766, a dau. of Shubael Dearborn, of 
Northfield ; settled in Springfield but later rem. to Wash- 
ington, Vt. He d. at Whcelock, Vt., in 1833, alone ir» 
his carriage while returning home from town. His wife 
d. in Orange, Vt., Aug. 9, 1827. Their children were : 
32 



498 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

I. Sarah, b. in Salisbury, Sept. 23, 1790; m. (first) Feb. 15, 1814, Eli Dinsmore 

and settled in Chelsea, Vt., afterwards rem. to Orange, Vt., where he d. in 
1846; she m. (second) in 1847 Isaac Holt, of Piermont. He d. June 5, 
1851 ; she d. in Huntington, Vt., Sept. 5, 1S72. The children by first mar- 
riage were: ( i ) Caroline, b. in Chelsea, Vt., Dec. 19, 1S14; m. April 14, 
1S33, Rev. Lyman Sargent and settled in Middlesex, Vt. (2) Emelia, b. 
Nov. 26, 181 6; m. Andrew Richardson and settled at Orange, Vt., but 
afterwards rem. to Lawrence, N. V. (3) Calvin, b. Sept. 25, 1818; m. 
April 12, 1849, Celestia Cunningham and settled in Orange, Vt. (4) 
Louisa, b. May 30, 1820; m. (first) Hubbard Melendy and (second) Eli 
P. Kingsbury; first settled at Chelsea, afterwards at Ludlow, Vt. She d. 
April 24, 1SS5. (5) Denison, b. Oct. 10, 1822; m. March 21, 1850, Sarah 
Ann Peake, settled first at Orange, afterwards at Barre, Vt. 

II. John, Jr., b. in Salisbury, May 17, 1794; m. Polly Eastman, of Corinth, Vt., 

and rem. to Aurelius, Mich., where he died. 

III. Jonathan, b. in Salisbur)', Dec. 4, 1798; m. Ruth Norris and settled at Bolton, 

Vt. He d. at West Bolton. 

IV. Polly, b. in Salisbury, June 2, 1800; m. March 4, 1817, Samuel Dryer, of 

Brookfield, Vt, and settled there but afterwards removed to Jonesville, 
Mich. Their children, born in Brookfield, were: (i) John Wainwright, 
b. April 16, 1819. (2) William, b. Nov. 9, 1820. (3) Orrin Carpenter, 
b. Jan. 19, 1824. (4) Shubael, b. July 11, 1826. 

V. Betsey, d. 1 1 years of age. 

VI. Nancy, b. in Springfield, April 2C, 1S02; m. Dec. 12, 1821, Samuel Carleton, of 

Brookfield, Vt., afterwards rem. to Chelsea, Vt. He d. in Moretown, Vt., 
June 7, 1871. Children: i. George S., b. in Chelsea, March 29, 1836; m. 
Sept. 12, i860, Lucy Grover, and res. at Waterbury, Vt. 

VII. Charlotte, b. in Springfield, Feb. 13, 1808; m. April 6, 1845, Daniel Squires. 

She d. in Orange, Vt., March 14, i860. 
VIII. Shubael, b. in Springfield, Jan. 3, 1810; m. Lucy Brown and settled in Barre, 
Vt. He. d. in 1S46. 

(5.) Ananiah, (Lieut.) b. in Boscawen, July 22, 1743, was 
anotlier soldier of the revolution. He served in 1776 
and perhaps earlier, under Gen. Sullivan, in Connecticut, 
also in the White Plains campaign, and afterward in the 
Bennington expedition ; serving later as Sergeant and 
Lieutenant, by which latter title he is frequently men- 
tioned in the town records. After retiring from the 
army, Dec. 31, 1781, he settled in Salisbury. He was a 
farmer in good circumstances and was one of those who 
organized the Calvinistic Baptist society, March 20, 1794. 
Previous to 1800 he sold his farm in Salisbury and rem. 
to Washington, Vt., where he remained some years, but 
later in life returned to New Hampshire, spending his 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 499 

last years with his son Jonathan. He m. about 1776 
Shuah Fifield, of Salisbury. He d. in Sutton about 18 18. 
His wife d. in 18 13. Their children, b. in Salisbury : 

20. Sarah, m. April 23, 1795, James Currier, Jr., of .Salisl)ury. They afterward rem. 

to Lowell, Mass., where they died, leaving si.\ children, roily, Hetsey, 
James, Sarah, Charlotte, and Jeremiah. 

21. Jonathan, b. July 18, 1778. See. 22. Ananiah, Jr., b. May 8, 17S3. See. 
23. Fifield, b. in June, 17S6. See. 24. Joseph, b. Aug. 9, 1788. See. 

25. John, b. in 1791. See. 

(21.) Jonathan (Deacon) was a farmer and lived for some 
years in Vermont, but about 1808-9 returned to New 
Hampshire, living in Springfield, Temple and Sutton. 
He was very active in church affairs. He m. about 1800 
Dorothy Wells, b. in Sandown, April 21, 1776. He d. in 
Temple, Feb. 4, 1861 ; his wife d. Nov. 10, 1855, and 
both are buried at Sutton Centre. Their children (4th 
generation) were : 

26. David, b. in Washington, Vt., March 12, 1801. See. 

27. Shuah, b. in Washington, Vt., Aug. 25, 1S03; m. N. B. Favor and settled in 

Lowell, Mass. 

28. Theodaty, b. in Washington, Vt., June 14, 1S05; m. Jan. 22, 1832, Asa Bean; 

settled in Sutton. She d. Sept. 22, 1874. Their children were: (i) Mary 
Eliza, b. Dec. 3, 1835; d. Nov. 6, 184S. (2) Addison A., b. Nov. i, 1845, 
and res. at Chester. 

29. Jonathan, Jr.. b. Jan. 14, 1807. He m. (first) Sept., 1832, Sarah Andrews, of 

liradford. She d. April 20, 1845. He m. (second) July 27, 185^, Eliza- 
beth Whitcomb, b. in Henniker Jan. 10, 1816. They settled in Temple 
but afterwards removed to Chelmsford, Mass., where he d. May 17, 1S75. 
She res. at West Wilton. The children by first marriage were: 
I." George W., b. at Sutton, April 25, 1S35. He served in the late war, 33d Mass. 
Vols. He was wounded at the battle of Lookout Mountain and carried to 
Chattanooga hospital, where he d. from his wounds a few days later, Nov. 
I, 1863. He was a young man of sterling qualities, much respected, a 
favorite in the company and a brave soldier. 

II. Maria, born in Peterborough, June 5, 1837 ; d. .\ng. 3, 1848. 
The children by the second marriage were: 

III. Walter, b. in Temple, Dec. 22, 1857. 

30. Dorothy, b. in Washington, Vt., Nov. 7, 180S; m. Jan. 28, 1S46, Philip Kim- 

ball and settled in Bradford, Mass. He d. March iS, 1S68. The children 
b. in Bradford were: (i) George Adin, b. Jan. 16, 1847. (2) Nelson 
Winslow, 1). Jan. 2, 1853. (3) Oliver Irvin, b. Sept. 20, 1854. 

31. Sargent, b. in Springfield, Sept. 24, 181 1; m. (first) July 28, 1S33, Roxana 

Blood, b. in Sharon, July 4, 1810. She d. Jan. 24, 1S70. He. m. (second) 



500 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Sept. 19, 1S72, Elizabeth B. Cudvvorth.b. in Whitefield, May 13, 1S27. She 
d. April 3, 1879. He m. (third) Oct. 6, iSSi, Mrs. Mary H. Snow, b. in 
Dublin, April 25, 1820, and res. at Peterborough. His children by first 
marriage were: (i) Cyrus H. (2) Mary E., b. June 5, 1836, m. Giles 
Lakin, of Hancock, and d. July 24, 1S64. 

32. Sarah, b. June 19, 1S14; d. at Temple, March 28, 1865. 

26.) David, m. April 23, 1826, Belinda Bean. He lived in 
Sutton many years, but later in life removed to West 
Hopkinton. His children were: 

I. Samuel Bean, b. May 31, 1S27 ; m. July 10, 1S51, Ellen Stuart. 
II. Andrew J., b. Aug. 8, 1831. He served in the late war. He m. Sept. 22, 1867. 
Mary J. Newton. 

III. Dorothy Bean, b. Nov. 9, 1S33; m. (first) Nov. 4, 1855, Lemuel S. Pope; m. 

(second) Cyrus Leet. 

IV. James Smiley, b. Aug. 2, 1836; m. Nov. 2, 185S, Fannie A. Keysar and res. at 

New London. 

V. Sarah A., b. July 15, 1S39; m. April 7, 1S59, Warren H. Gould. 
VI. Adaline Favor, b. March 28, 1841 ; d. Aug. 11, 1844. 

VII. Diana R., b. May 14, 1843; m. April 30, 1868, John B. Hinton. 
VIII. David Nelson, b. March 21, 1845 ; ™- (first) May i, 1871, Martha A. Wiggin; 
m. (second) Jennie Fisk. He. d. Jan. 31, 18S0. 

IX. John Wilbur, b. May 27, 1847 ; m. May 2, 1S76, Delia A. Jewell, b. in Weare, 

Feb. I, 1855. Their children were : Bernice Mary, Elsie Diana, Lester 
Jewell, Etta Lucy. 

X. Mary A., b. July 8, 1849; m. J. Bailey Clark. 
XI. Josephine A., b. Nov. 9, 1851 ; d. April 3, 1873. 

(22.) Ananiah, Jr., b. in Salisbury, May 8, 1783, and rem. to 
Washington, Vt., with his father's family, but about 1807 
(taxed in 1808) returned to Salisbury. He m. (first) 
March 7, 1805, Lucy Stanley, dau. of Peter Stanley, and 
settled in Salisbury. Later he rem. to Lowell, Mass., 
thence to Haverhill, and subsequently to Bradford, Mass. 
His first wife d. Jan. 18, 1838, and he m. (second) Abby 
Spaulding. She d. Aug. 24, 1856, and he m. (third) 
Almira S. Spaulding. He d. in Bradford, Mass., May 23, 
1859. The children by first marriage, b. in Salisbury, 
were : 

33. Sophia B., b. July 25, 1S06; m. Philip Kimball and settled in Bradford, Mass 

She d. March i, 1845. Their children were: Henry, Abby, Sarah Jane, 
Leverett, Warren. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 5OI 

34. Benjamin Stanley, h. June 21, iSoS ; m. (first) at Concord, Oct. 26, 1835, Maria 

L. Capen, dau. of Ehenezer Capen. She d. at Billerica, Mass., Feb. 21, 
1842; hem. (second) June, 1845, Al^igail Baker, of Dunbarton. lie d. 
Dec. 26. 1869. The children by first marriage were : 

I. Sarah, b. Nov. 2, 1S36; m. Aug. 11, 1.S59, James Hogan. 
II. Georgiana, 1). Dec. 7, 1S3S; m. Sept. 23, 1858, Carlos Bohonon. 

III. Louisa, b. Aug. 24, 1842; d. in Nov., 1865. 

IV. Alfred, (twin) b. May 17, 1846; m. 1871, Cora Means. 

V. Albert, (twin) b. May 17, 1846; m. (first) in 1872, Mattie Farr, who d. in 
1877. He ni. (second) in iSSo, Annie Moulton. Had, by first marriage, 
Bertie, deceased ; by second marriage, Ethel and Fred. 

35. Betsey E., b. May 8, iSio; m. Philip Flanders; d. Dec. 4, 1842. 

36. Peter Bartlett, b. March 31, 1812; m. Oct. 11, 1842, Susan E. Tibbetts, of 

Rochester. He was postmaster at Billerica, Mass., in 1S77, and is now 
station agent B. & L. R. R. His children were : 

I. Francis Bartlett, b. July 4, 1S45; ^- ^^t. 23, 1872. 
II. Harriet Augusta, b. April 8, 184S. 

37. Sarah, d. at Lowell, Mass. 

38. Mark .Morrill, b. Oct. 11, 1816; m. Augusta William?. He d. in Kansas, Feb. 

20, 1S84. 

39. Abigail, b. April 21, 1819; m. George Brown and had five children : George, 

Albert, Orrin, Annie and Jennie. 

40. William Piroadstreet, b. Aug. 6, 1S2S, at Bradford, Mass. He m. (first) 

.^[artha Allen; m. (second ) Mary Chase, by whom he had three children, 
George, Edward and Nellie. 

(23.) Fificld, b. at Salisbury in June, 1786; moved to Wash- 
ington, Vt., with his father's family; m. July 5, 1810, 
Luceba Crook, and settled in Washington but afterward 
rem. to Chelsea, Vt. He d. Nov. 5, 1865 ; she d. April 
29, 1873. Their children, born in Washington, were : 

41. Kerziah Richardson Crook, b. Nov. 19, iSio; m. Sept. 23, 1S30, Dr. Danie 

P. P.ennett. She d. June 20, 1S83. 

42. Alpheus Goodrich, b. Dec. 3, 1S12; m. Jan. 4, 1S42, Henrietta Godfrey, b. 

Dec. 17, 1818. She d. May 7, 18S3. Their children were: 

I. Alba F., b. Nov. i6, 1843; m. June 20, 1S77, Laura A. McCrillis. 

II. Hattie Elvira, b. Aug. 19, 1846; d. Sept. 9, 1863. 

III. Henrietta M., b. Feb. i, 1849; m- June 21, 1S70, Norman B. Clough. 

IV. Charles Martin, b. Aug. 9, 1S53; m. Oct. iSSi, Lucy Gove. 

V. George Alpheus, b. July 15, 1S56. 

VI. Cora A., b. Max 12, 1S61 ; d. April 29, 18S3. 

43. Samuel C, b. Dec. 20, 1814; m. Nancy Shipley. He d. in Feb. 1849. 

44. Diana, b. March 13, 1S17; m. Ora K. Goodale. She d. Feb. 5, 1S42. 



502 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

45. Alvira, b. Jan. i, 1819; m. John Emery. She d. July 20, 1S57. 

46. Chauncey Stuart, b. March 3, 1821 ; m. March 29, 1S52, Susan Hood. Their 

children were: i. Samuel, b. Dec. 29, 1854; 2. Lizzie Ellen, b. Oct. 5, 
1856; 3. Fred Herbert, b. April 17, 1859; 4. George Henry, b. Dec. 25, 
1S61 ; 5. Ellis P., b. Aug. 5, 1S64; 6. Edward F., b. Dec. 5, 1870, and d. 
April 24, 1S72. 

47. Dianthe, m. R. R. Slack. 

48. Silas Burke, b. May 12, 1825; m. Dec. 9, 1S51, Pamelia Kingsbury. He d. 

July 21, 1SS5. Their children were: i. Wealthy Philona, b. Aug. 25, 
1852, who m. Oct. 6, 1S73, N. T. Davenport; 2. Cyrus Willard, b. Dec. 
18, 1854. 

49. Carlos Emmons, b. Aug. 14, 1827 ; m. Sept. 23, 1858, Georgiana Bohonon, 

dau. of Benjamin Stanley Bohonon, (34) and res. at Lowell, Mass. 

50. Octavia, b. July 20, 1S29; m. Sept. 9, 1849, Cyrus B. Holden. Their children 

were: i. George Cyrus, b. Dec. 18, 1853, who m. Jan. 31, 1S71, Isabel 
Stuart Dean. 

51. Fifield, Jr., b. Aug. i, 1831 ; m. March 31, 1853, Sarah Jane Perkins. Their 

children were : i. Louisa E., b. Feb. 2, 1857, and d. Nov. 6, 1S74 ; 2. Les- 
lie H., b. Nov. 10, i860, m. Nov. 6, 1883, Clara Coburn and res. at Chelsea, 
Mass. 

52. Sarah Luciba, b. July 31, 1835, and d. in infancy. 

53. Wealthy P., b. March 6, 1838; d. Feb. 14, 1S44. 

(24.) Joseph, son of Ananiah, (5) b. in Salisbury, Aug. 9, 1788, 
rem. with his father's family to Washington, Vt., where 
he permanently settled, but d. in early life. 

He m. in 1809-10 Sally Ingram. He d. Aug. 21, 1825 ; she d. Oct. 20, 1857. Their 
children were : i. Prudence, b. July 15, 1810; 2. Robert, b. Feb. 19, 1813 ; 
3. Martin I., b. May 8, 1820; 4. Sarah, b. Feb. 4, 1825. 

(25.) John, son of Ananiah, (5) born at Salisbury in 1791, 
rem. to Washington, Vt., with his father's family, and 
m. Fannie Fish. 

He d. May 29, 186S. Their children were : i. Clarissa, b. in 1824 ; 2. Ervilla, b. in 
1829, deceased; 3. Alonzo Allen, b. in 1S34; 4. Albert, b. in 1S44, 
deceased. 

^8-1-5.) Daniel Webster Bohonon enlisted Aug. 28, 1862, in 
Co. C, 1 2th N. H. Vols. He served faithfully during his 
three years service, doing duty in every battle in which 
his regiment was engaged. At the battle of Gettysburg 
he was wounded through the thigh. He was promoted 
to Lieutenant and Captain. On the muster out of the 
regiment in June, 1865, the recruits from the 12th were 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 503 

consolidated into one company and transferred to the 2d 
Regiment, to which Capt. B. was transferred as their 
commanding officer, and served some months in that 
regiment. After the war he was made U. S. Insjiector 
and settled in Richmond, Va. He d. suddenly, of apo- 
plexy, July 26, 1880. The Richmond Dispatch says of 
him : "Capt. B. was widely known, much respected and 
greatly beloved. He came to us fresh from service in 
the Union army, as an officer in the internal revenue 
service, and soon became very popular in business and 
social relations. He was a man of very brilliant talents, 
a popular speaker, and a poet of much merit ; he was 
also prominent as a politician, but never offensively so. 
On Confederate Memorial Day he delivered the address 
at Oakwood cemetery, which was replete with tender feel- 
ing and patriotism. Genial, warm-hearted, sympathetic, 
all who came within the range of his acquaintance seemed 
irresistibly drawn towards him. Few men — certainly 
none of northern birth and of his political opinions — 
ever had more numerous or more sincere friends among 
all classes of the community. * * * fhe news of 
his death was soon circulated, and his body lying in state 
at St. Alban's hall was visited by a large number, among 
all of whom pervaded a feeling of great sorrow, at the 
untimely ending of a career that promised so brightly." 

Of this old family, now almost e.xtinct in town, it may be said 
their virtues were of the plain old-fashioned sort ; loyal to coun- 
try and kin, strong in their attachments, modest, brave, indus- 
trious, kind and unselfish ; generous to friend or foe, hospitable 
— never seeking official position. The first generation served 
long and faithfully, from a sense of duty, in the early Indian 
and French wars ; the second and third generations in the 
struggle for independence and the war of i8 12-14, and the 
fourth and fifth generations in the war for the maintainance of 
the union. 

"Calm and still 
They sleep beyond life's woe and wail, 
Bevond the fleet of sailing clouds, 
fjeyond the shadow of the vale." 

J. C. O. 



504 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



THE BOWEN FAMILY. 

There were two Bowens, Peter and John, brothers, living in 
Salisbury and vicinity as early as 1737. 

I. Peter, the eldest, was a bold and reckless adventurer, well 
acquainted with Indian life and customs, as may be seen 
in the chapter on Indian troubles and the war record. 
By occupation he was a trapper, and was sometimes 
called Anthony and William Bowen. After his escape 
from jail, when confined on account of killing the Indians 
near Indian bridge, he was not often seen in the settle- 
ment but was in the army most of the time. Aug. 19, 
1745, he served as a private in Capt. Daniel Ladd's com- 
pany, doing scout duty about Canterbury. In 1749 he 
was a scout about Concord, and for some two years was 
in Capt. Ebenezer Eastman's company. His war record 
is connected with the famous "Rogers Rangers." While 
serving with them he lost an eye in the manner shown 
by the following deposition : 

Province of New Hampshire. 

To His Excellency, yohn IVeiihvorth, Esqr., Captain General, Governor and Com- 
mander in Chief, &=€., &=€. 

The Honorable His Magesties Council and House of Representatives in Grand 
Assembly convened the 27th daj' of December, Anno Domini, 1770. The Petition 
of Peter Bowen of New Hampshire in the Province aforesaid most humbly sheweth, 
That in the year 1751, he Inlisted into the Provincial Service as a private soldier 
under the Command of Major Robert Rogers, then Captain of said Company in a 
Regiment Commanded by Coll. Blanchard. That some time after he inlisted, being 
upon duty in said Company the gun of one Charles McAuly or Auley was acciden- 
tally Discharged (being loaded with a ball) which Entered the head of this Peti- 
tioner near his Right Eye which blew out the same, by which accident your peti- 
tioner was Rendered utterly unable to proceed in Said Services, and was confined 
a long time wholly unable to do any kind of business whatever. What Reason he 
cannot tell, he was left out of the Muster Role of s'd company when it was made 
up, and has never Received Any wages only the bounty when he inlisted, and one 
months billeting ( food.) Your Petitioner further shews, That he has continued to 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 5O5 

be under Doctors hands Ever Since said accident happened and has been of Great 
Expense but could not obtain a Cure, but has Entirely Lost his Right Eye and is 
almost blind with the other. That he is very poor and has a Large Family Con- 
cisting of a wife and six small children, who are entirely unable to help him, the 
Eldest of whom being not more than Sixteen years of age. Wherefore your Peti- 
tioner most humbly prayes the Interposition of ^■our Excellency & honors, and that 
you would be pleased to Grunt him such Relief herein as to you in your Great Wis- 
dom and easal Clemency should think adequate, and your Petitioner as he is in 
Duty bound will Ever pray, &c. 

Portsmouth, December 27th, 1770. his 

Witness, Rich'd Cutts Shannon. PETER X BOWEX. 

mark 



In the House of Rei'Resent.vtives, 
December 29th, 1S70. 



Province of New Hampshire. 



The foregoing Petition being considered. It appearing that the Petitioner was 
Omitted in the Muster Roll and has been at great Expense to the Doctors, &c. 
Voted, "That there be allowed and Paid (;)ut of the money in the Treasury to 
the said Peter r>owen fifteen Pounds Law'l Money in full satisfaction for what is 
set forth in the Petition." 

M. WEARE, Gov. 
Read & concurred, Geo. King, D. Sec. 

Consented to, WENTWORTH. 

The deposition of John Stark, Lieut, in the company, was pre- 
sented, as was that of Ruth Fowler, the latter stating 
"that Bowen had been under treatment by her husband, 
Dr. Fowler, whose professional bill was ;i^2O0 O. T." 
He was a resident of the town of Salisbury in 1775, and 
resided with his brother John. He afterwards rem. to 
Canada, where he died. He m. Aug. 27, 1752, Sarah 
Silloway. A family of this name were early residents of 
Salisbury. Their children were : 

2. Mary, b. Jan. 5, 1754. 3. Jeremiah, b. April 4, 1756; d. Nov. 8, 1756. 

4. Enoch, b. Aug. 14, 175S. 5. Sarah, b. March 27, 1760. 
6. Jeremiah, b. Dec. 15, 1760. 7. John, b. Dec. 17, 1765. 

5. Hannah, b. May 17, 176S. 

H. John Bowen, a brother of Peter, was by occupation a car- 
penter, and built a house at Contoocook (Hoscawen) for 
John Rolfe, of Newbury, for which Rolfe gave him the 
use of one-half of the house, and deeded to him one-half 



506 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

of all his lands at Contoocook, where the deed was dated 
May 26, 1737. June 6, 1753, Ebenezer Burbank, of New- 
bury, sold to John Bowen for £,1 1 his intervale lot No. i. 
It is said that he settled on the farm now owned by 
Samuel Morse on Smith's hill. Old settlers point to a 
cellar-hole just north of Morse's house and say Bowen 
lived there. Charles Smith, a grandson of Lieut. Robert, 
says, "It was always told me that my grandfather bought 
his farm of Morrill, who assisted Bowen in the Indian 
affair." They were neighbors. Bowen sold to Stephen 
Greenleaf and rem. to the interval opposite the Burleigh 
place, building a house now standing south of Mr. Bur- 
leigh's. About 1790 Bowen sold his large farm to Capt. 
Samuel Thompson and removed to Stanstead, Canada. 
Capt. Thompson was a wealthy tobacco merchant, from 
Newburyport, Mass., who res'd in the Bowen house dur- 
ing the building of his "mansion," the residence of Wal- 
lace Burleigh. John Bowen, like his brother, utterly 
despised the Indians and improved every opportunity to 
do them an injury. He served in the revolution and was 
a hardy and fearless soldier. He m. Catherine — , and 
had eight children : 

2. Eleanor, b. Aug. S, 1779. 3. Anthony, b. Feb. 11, 17S1. 
4. John, b. March 3, 1785. 5. Benjamin, b. July 19, 17S5. 

6. Peter, b. Feb. 4, 1789; m. Nancy Clay. 

7. Frederick, b. May 28, 1791 ; d. April 21, 1794. 

8. Catherine, b. Feb. 13, 1794. 9. Joseph, b. Sept. 27, 1796. 



THE BOWERS FAMILY. 

Andrew was a native of Billerica, Mass., from which place he 
removed to Salisbury as early as 1789-90. He purchased the 
property of Jacob Bohonon, moved the dwelling back and built 
the large two-story house, now the Congregational church par- 
sonage. In 1793 we find him engaged in trade at the South 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 50/ 

Road village, having a stock of goods valued at ^80. In com- 
pany with Capt. Luke Wilder he was engaged in several money 
making enterprises. They had a linseed oil mill just south of 
William Holmes's sawmill ; a brick yard in Col. J. C. Smith's 
pasture, at the foot of Cram hill, and a large potash factory. 
"Esquire Bowers," as he was familiarly called, was about the 
medium height, of good weight, and possessed of a genial dis- 
position. He was quick in motion as in thought and promptly 
attended to his business affairs. It is said he built the present 
Congregational church, taking his pay from the sale of pews. 
He undoubtedly became owner of the first church, which was 
erected on Searle's hill. He and his wife were members of the 
church and contributed liberally towards its support. He was 
a trustee of the academy and also held many town offices ; was 
moderator in 1799, selectman in 1792-3-4, and representative to 
the legislature in 1801-3-4-6-9. He was appointed justice of 
the peace Aug. 4, 1828, and held the office through life. Near 
the close of the last century he joined Blazing Star Lodge of 
Free and Accepted Masons, at Concord, and was Worshipful 
Master in 1802 ; was also one of the charter members of Samar- 
itan Lodge No. T)6, of Salisbury, and Worshipful Master in 
1822. Strangers passing his old home frequently stop and ad- 
mire the beautiful masonic emblems with which the house is 
ornamented. Upon the formation of the " Salisbury Sacred 
Musick Society," for the advancement of church music, he held 
the office of president from 1824 to 1827 inclusive. 

During the last years of the e.xistence of the " Masonian Pro- 
prietors" he was the clerk, and their meetings were held at his 
house. When the County Court met in Salisbury the sessions 
were held in his north-east front room. It is said he graduated 
at Harvard college. He m. Jan. 10, 1790, Mary Pollard, of 
Billerica, Mass., who d. Feb. 3, 1843, aged JJ. No children 
blessed their union, but they brought up a number, giving them 
a good education. He d. Jan. 31, 1833, aged 74, 



508 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



THE BROTTLEBANK FAMILY. 

Daniel, of whom little is known, was the first settler of that 
name and cleared up the farm now owned by Timothy Eastman. 
He was an influential member of the Baptist church, of which 
he was clerk until his removal to Plainfield. He sold his farm 
to Peter Whittemore. He m. Sarah — , and had the following 
children : 

2. Polly, b. Sept. 20, 1776; d. Sept. 23, 1779. 3. Thomas, b. Jan. 14, 1778. 

4. David, b. Aug. 10, 1779; d. young. 5. Amos, b. June 11, 1781. 

6. Daniel, b. May 26, 17S3; d. Dec. 3, 17S4. 7. John, b. Nov. 10, 1784. 

8. Daniel, b. July 19, 1786. 9. Betsey, b. March 17, 1788; d. July i, 17S8. 

10. Samuel, b. July 13, 1789. 11. Sally, b. April 12, 1791. 



THE BURLEIGH FAMILY. 

Giles Buriey (Burleigh) was a native of England, and with 
his wife Elizabeth settled at Ipswich, Mass., in 1648. Varia- 
tions in the orthography of the name have been numerous. In 
olden times it was spelled Bowley and Buriey, but although 
Burleigh is claimed to be the more ancient it is in this country 
the more modern name. 

The above Giles (i) m. Elizabeth — and had James, (2) who 
had a son Thomas (3) b. in 1697, whose son Thomas (4) 
b. July 2, 1723, m. Sarah Haley, and d. at Epping, June 
I, 1803. Their fourth child was Joseph, b. Aug. 7, 1755. 
He early entered the revolutionary army, serving until 
the last year of the war, when he returned to Dorchester 
and represented that town in the legislature for several 
years. He was the largest farmer in town and a man of 
character. He m. Mary Hilton, b. in Epping, who d. 
March 11, 1821. In 1820 he exchanged his farm with 
Brackett Weeks, of Salisbur)^ who purchased it of Capt. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 509 

Samuel Thompson, of Salisbury, Mass. Mr. Thompson 
bought the land and buildings thereon of John Bovven, 
in 1804-5, after which Bovven went to Canada. Joseph 
Ikuley d. Aug. 6, 1838. His children were : 

2. Alice, b. at Epping, Sept. 14, 1782; m. Benjamin Dow; d. March 21, 1826. 

3. Joseph, b. at Dorchester, April 28, d. March 21, 1826; m. (i) March 27, 18 10, 

Lois liartlett, who d. Nov. 28, 1S19; m. {2) Feb. 3, 182 1, Sarah Rundlett, 
who d. Nov. 9, 1857. 

4. Mary, b. Nov. 24, 1785; d. March 22, 1S32, unm. 

5. Betsey, b. Aug. S, 1787 ; d. in 1S3S; m. Daniel Pillsbury. 

6. Edward, b. .\pril 16, 1791 ; d. Dec. 30, 1S63; m. March 13, 1826, Mary Holden 

7. Henry, b. Dec. 1793. •'^^^• 

8. Gordon, b. Aug. 25, 1795; d. Jan. 17, 1865; m. Elizabeth P. Weeks, who d. 

March 14, 1872. 

9. Martha, b. June 11, 179?; d. April 24, 1S19; m. Enoch Pillsbury, of Boscawen. 

10. Hilton, b. Aug. 3, 1799; d. at Canterbury, May 9, 1843; m. Sarah Oilman. 

11. Asa, b. March 20, 1802; d. at Thornton, July 21, 1S52. 

12. Job, b. in Dec, 1803; d. young. 

13. Charlotte, b. June 27, 1S05; d. at Haverhill. Mass., Oct. 14, 1S79; ni- Tristram 

Greenleaf. See. 

(7.) Henry remained for a time at Dorchester but in 1827 
rem. to the homestead in Salisbury. He continued farm- 
ing and was one of the most esteemed and useful citizens 
of the town. A Whig in politics, his public life began 
in 1834 and ended in 1858. He served as selectman for 
twelve years and was a representative in 1840-41. He 
m (i) in 1824 Eliza Gregg, of Dorchester, who d. Oct. 
I, 1844; m. (2) Mrs. Lydia (James) Bailey, dau. of Jacob 
True, (see) who d. 1871. 

15. Gordon, b. at Dorchester, Ajiril 15, 1825 ; m. Charlotte E. 
Turner, of Charlestown, Mass. He is a farmer by occu- 
pation and one of the most prominent and honorable 
citizens of Franklin. He served as county commissioner 
from 1S83 to 1887, and several times as selectman. 

iC. William Henry, b. Jan. 23, 1S27; m. Nov, 17, 1558, Martha 
J. Hanscomb, of Lawrence, Mass. He entered Kimball 
Union Academy in 1845, graduated with honor at Dart- 
mouth, in 185 1, and read medicine with Dr. L. M. 



5IO HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Knight, of Franklin, and Dr. Edmund R. Peaslee ; he 
entered the Medical College, University of New York, 
where he devoted himself to the study of anatomy and 
surgery ; thence to Bowdoin College, where he was dem- 
onstrator of anatomy, and graduated as AT. D. in 1854, 
Dartmouth conferring the degrees of A. B. and A. M. 
He then became assistant physician in the lunatic asylum 
at Blackwell's Island, New York. Intending to make 
surgery a specialty, he went to France and entered a 
school of surgery at Paris. After studying one year he 
returned to America and settled in practice at Lawrence, 
Mass., where he d. Dec. 20, 1870. 

17. Walter, b. Sept. 12, 183 1, is one of the live business men 

of Franklin. He worked diligently to have the post 
ofifice established at Franklin Falls, was appointed post- 
master Sept. II, 1874, continuing until April i, 1886. 
He has represented Franklin in the legislature, and has 
been for many years and is still engaged in active busi- 
ness. He m. Nov., 1856, Augusta R., dau. of Jedediah 
and Aurelia (Bickford) Danforth. 

18. Wallace, b. Sept. 12, 183 1 ; m. Catherine B. George. See. 

He succeeded his father on the farm, is an extensive 
lumber dealer, has represented Franklin in the legisla- 
ture, and served as selectman for several years. 

19. Sarah B., b. July 2, 1834; d. March 4, 1857. 

10. Rufus G., b. Jan. 9, 1842; m. Oct. 31, 1866, Mary A., 
dau. of John and Polly (Hilton) P'ellows, b. at Andover, 
Aug. 24, 1845. Hg is a merchant at Franklin Falls. 
He served in the navy during the late war, on board the 
U. S. steamer Lancaster, in the Pacific ocean. Rufus 
G. and Walter Burleigh built the first brick business 
block in Franklin Falls, in 1871, known as "Burleigh 
Building:." 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 5 II 



THE CALEF FAMILY. 

FIRST DRANCH. 

William Calef was a native of Kingston, a grantee of Stevens- 
town (Salisbury) and took an active part in the settlement of 
the township. In 1751 he held the office of selectman, or one 
of the committee to call proprietors' meetings, holding the 
of!ice nine years ; was proprietors' clerk in 1753, and modera- 
tor several times. By profession he was a surveyor, doing 
much of that business in this town. In 1761, he was one of 
the committee of three to come here and "Agree with Eben- 
ezer Webster on the mill privilege," which mill the proprietors 
were erecting on Punch brook. One of his children, William, 
was b. at Kingston, June, 1737. ^ May 22, 1764, he bought of his 
father for ^1000 O. T., a one hundred acre lot, No. 18, south 
range, laid out to the right of Richard Wiberd, Esq, In the 
following November, he bought for ^237 O. T., one-half of the 
100 acre lot adjoining on the east, (No. 17,) Joseph Bean own- 
ing the other half. John Calef and Garland Calef say that 
William erected the first "stack" of chimneys and the first 
two-story frame house in town. Me came here previous to 
purchasing the land, and after the purchase built the house. 
He was a hard worker, muscular, energetic, and proud of his 
family ; was one of our large land owners, giving a farm to each 
of his children on their marriage, and left considerable property 
on his death, which occurred June 10, 18 12. He m. at Kings- 
ton, Anna Rowcll, b. in Feb., 1736; d. Feb. 22, 1S13. - On the 
incorporation of the town he was chosen surveyor, and held 
the office for a long series of years. 

2. William, b. in 1761. .See. 

3. Moses, m. Nancy Lovering, a sister to the mother of Peter .Stone, of Boscawen. 

He settled on Battle street, Boscawen, and d. suddenly. Their children 
were: I. Nancy, m. April 2, iSii, M. P. Webster. See. 11. Moses, m. 
Oct. 25, 181S, Dolly Perry. He d. in what is now Webster. 

4. Jonathan, b. in 1766. 5. David, b. Oct. 30, 1774. 



512 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

6. Daniel, b. in 1777. Settled opposite his brother Moses, at the corner of the 

road leading from Battle street to Little's hill. He m. Asenath, dau. of 
Moses Garland. See. He d. April 22, 1S35, ^ged 58; she d. May 19, 
1S64. Had one child, Garland, b. Jan. 5, 1802 ; m. (i) July 10, 1834, Nancy 
R. Calef, who d. Nov. 14, 1S38. He m. {2) Jan. 26, 1S41, Maria T. Fitts, 
who d. Jan. 6, 1873, aged 54. His (Garland's) children by first wife, all 
b. in Salisbury, were: i. Daniel R., b. April 16, 1635; m. and res. in 
Missouri. II. Freeman W., b. Nov. 23, 1S37 , m. and res. in Missouri. 
His children by second wife were : in. Mary B., b. March 26, 1S42; m. 
June 19, 1878, John C. Bean and res. at Warner, iv. Fitts R., b. Feb. 6, 
1S46; m. Jan. 5, 1876, Mary E. Kneeland; he d. in Kansas, March 25, 
1S79. V. Moses G., b. April 29, 1S48; m. Oct. 28, 1874, Ella M. Flanders 
and res. at Wilmot. vi. Mattie J., b. Nov. 3, 1854; m. Sept. 11, 1S78, 
Charles Savage and res. at Webster, vii. Frederick A., b, Oct. i, 1S56; 
unm. and res. in Iowa. viii. Albert E., b. Jan. 15, 1S62, and res. at 
Haverhill, Mass, 

(2.) William had land on Searle's hill, building a large house 
west of the meeting house, where he continued, and d. 
Dec. 5, 1843. He m. Dec. 29, 1785, Hannah Eastman, 
b. 1764; d. April 13, 1823. The buildings were destroyed 
by fire in November, 1879. 

7. William, b. Sept. 4, 17S6; m. Nov. 22, 1S16, Polly Kimball. He settled on the 

road leading from Shaw's corner to the Webster Ijirthplace. 

8. John, b. Jan. 27, 17S8. 

9. Hannah, b. March 13, 1790; m. Oct. 21, 1S24, Samuel Pearson. See. 
10. Polly, b. Dec. 6, 1791 ; m. James Fellows. 

^^11. Nancy, b. April 2, 1794; d. unm. 12. Moses, b. July 3, 1796; d. Jan. 10, 1797. 

13. Moses, b. Oct. 28, 1797; d. unm. 14. Susannah, b. Jan. 17, iSoo; d, in 1802. 

15. Henry, b. June 10, 1S04; rem. to Me. See Mills. 

16. Samuel, b. Nov. 24, 1S06. See Henry, (15.) 17. Susannah, b. April 24, iSoS. 

(4.) Jonathan lived in a house built for him by his father, 
on Calef hill, (south end of lot No. 18.) When the 
fourth New Hampshire turnpike was built, he moved the 
house to the location where it was destroyed by fire in 
1886. The building was moved entire, the family living 
in the house, and the uncracked plastering remained on 
the rooms until the building was burnt. The house was 
built previous to his marriage, which occurred Feb. 5, 
1786, to Hannah, dau. of Ens. Moses Garland. (See.) 
She d, July 8, 1869, aged 102. She was a remarkable 



GENEALaGT AND BIOGRAPHY. 513 

woman, possessing great perseverance and endurance, 
a most affectionate mother, and always a friend to the 
needy. She possessed a most retentive memory, which 
was not impaired at her disease. He d. April i8, 185 1. 

18. David, b. in 1793; '1- J^'Y "> ''"^'j- '9- John, b. Oct. 28, 1797. 

20. Moses, m. at Newburypoit, Mass., I-ucy Mansfield, of Salisbury, Mass. He 

was a sea captain and d. at Newburyport, Nov. 25, 1870. 

21. Joseph, b. in iSoo. .After working at Lowell, Mass., for eleven years he returned' 

to Salisbury, where he continued until his death, March 16, 1S63. He m. 
Hannah Jackman, by whom he had two children who d. young; had also 
Mary, b. Feb. 6, 1S40, who m. (i) — Farmer; m. (2) John W. Folsom. 
Her children by second marriage were: i. Willie J., b. in Salisbury, May 
17, 1864; drowned in the Merrimack river. 11. Eugene, b. in Indiana,. 
March 8, 1868. ill. Mary Bell, b. Jan. 12, 1871. 

22. James, b. Oct. 28, 1803. Most of his active life was spent at the Merrimack 

Print Works, Lowell, Mass. Ten years previous to his death he returned 
to Salisbury, bought the Dr. Robert Smith farm, and d. while on a tempor- 
ary visit to Boston, March 17, 1874. He m. Mary A. Shadduck. Their 
children were : Mary J., Kate, Kliza A., Helen, Bell, George W., and 
Albert B. 

(5.) David remained on the homestead; removed the old 
house and upon the old cellar built the cottage owned 
by Merrill Perry. He d. June 14, 185 1. He was an 
extensive land owner and a man of property. He m. 
Nov. 25, 1807, Sarah Jones, b. Sept. i, 1785 ; d. May 31, 
1843. 

23. Nancy R., b. Feb. 24, 1809; m. Garland Calef. See. 

24. Sarah J., b. Feb. 12, 181 1 ; d. Feb. 6, 1.S45, unm. 

25. Eliza C, b. .N[ay i, 1813; m. May 31, 1843, John Ci. Couch; res. at Boscawen. 

26. Mary J., b. July 28, 181 5; m. Dec. 28, 1842, Henry C. George, of Canaan, after 

whose death she m. again. 

27. David, b. Sept. 25, 1817; d. in the South, Sept. iS, 1844, unm. 

28. Edgar, (twin) b. Dec. 5, 1820; d. Dec. 12, 1S20. 

29. Edwin, (twin) b. Dec. 5, 1820; d. Dec. 12, 1820. ^ 

30. Daniel ]., h. Jan. 31, 1S24. See. 

(8.) John settled opposite his father, building the house now 
occupied by William F. Parsons. He d. May i, 1851; 
m. Dec. 27, 1814, Martha Gale, who d. Nov. 20, 1856. ;^ ' 

31. Charles, b. Nov. 19, 1S15; d. May 26, 1822. 

32. Rufus, b. Jan. ii, 1817; m. June, 1S51, fane Gault. 

33 



514 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

33. Harriet J., b. July iS, 1S18; d. May 19, 1S22. 

34. John G., b. Mafch 29, 1820; res. at Tiskilwa, Bureau Co., Illinois. 

35. Benjamin G., b. Oct. 29, 1821 ; m. March 15, 1846, Emily C. Weeks. 

36. Charles, b. June 4, 1823; d. July, 1848. 

37. Martha J., b. March 3, 1825; d. Dec. 31, i860: m. Aug. 21, 1837, Benjamin C. 

Couch. He res. at Tiskilwa, Illinois. 

38. Lucy A., b. Dec. 23, 1826; m. William H. Eadds, and res. at Bethany, Mo. 

39. Harriet A., b. July 4, 1829; m. July 2, 1854, Daniel R. Everett, (see mer- 

chants) who was b. at New London, Aug. 26, 1827. Their children were : 

" I. Charles E., b. June 24, 1855. 11. Rufus C, b. Nov. 12, 1857; d. Sept. 

12, 1863. III. Martha G., b. April 13, i860, iv. Mary C, b. in Hill, Dec. 

4, 1865. 

40. Christopher, b. July 9, 1832 ; m. Lydia Weeks. 

( 19.) John came into possession of the homestead farm, where 
he continued, and d. July 31, 1884. He possessed 
strongly the family characteristics, with the Garland 
longevity. Although not an office seeker, he did, at the 
earnest solicitation of friends, irrespective of party, hold 
some town offices, and was school committee for a num- 
ber of years. He m. Dec. 28, 1823, Ruth Chase Whit- 
more ; b. Nov. I, 1801 ; d. April 9, 1875. 

41. Francis Burdette, b. March 31, 1825; m. Dec. 24, 1851, Jane Proctor, of Lowell, 

Mass. He remained on the farm until his buildings were burnt, April 15, 
1881, still continues in town, aud is regarded as one of our most respected 
citizens. Their children were: i. Frank J., b. in Jersey City, N. J., Feb. 

5, 1858, and res. at Bismarck, Dakota Territory, ir. Mary K., b. Feb. 8, 
1861 ; d. March 11, 1878. Zc^'' ft^^'f J '' /<? "^c", 

42. Elizabeth A., b. April 29, 1827 ; m. Juiie 27, 1861, George H. Whitmore, M. D. 

He d. May 18, 1S69. She res. at Lowell, Mass. 

43. Joseph W., b. Dec. 23, 1829; m. March 23, 1867, Eliza A. 

Bird, of Jerusalem, Mass. On becoming of age he went 
to Munroe, Wis., thence to McGregor's Landing, Iowa, 
where he erected the first flour mill in that vicinity. 
He then built a large dam at Cedar Falls, Iowa, then 
removed to St. Louis, remaining one year; then to Nash- 
ville, Tenn. When the war broke out he was at Augusta, 
Ga., where he was threatened with tar and feathers for 
his northern sentiments. Dropping down the river to 
Savannah, he was three times drafted into the confed- 
erate service, before he made his escape, which he did 



GENEALOGY AND HIOGRAPHY, 515 

in season to enlist in the northern army, and participated 
in the last battle of Charlestown, S. C. In 1763 he re 
turned to Salisbury and started a tannery, south of the 
Holmes saw mill, where by a patent process leather was 
tanned in from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. He res. 
at N. Easton, Mass., and is engaged in the patent right 
business at l^oston. 

44. Sarah P., b. Nov. 1S31 ; d. .Vug. 21, 1837. 

45. Mary M., b. Feb. i, 1S34; m. Nov. 1S54, Edward Bush, of Boston, Mass., where 

she resides. He was drowned while sailing in the harbor. 

46. Caroline R., b. Dec. 23, 1S36; d. March S, 1.S77, unm. 

47. Jane P., b. April 23, 1S38; m. Feb. 6, i86o. Rev. Freeman If. Rider. She res. 

at Middleborough, Mass. 

48. Georgiana, b. Sept. 12, 1840. A successful school teacher at Brockton, Mass. 

49. John .Mbert, b. Nov, 18, 1842. Married. 

50. David C, b. March 23, 1847 ; m. June i, 1S70, Josephine Elliott, of Lisbon, and 

res. at East Boston, Mass. 

(30.) Daniel J., has held more town offices than any member 
of the family. It is a sufficient guarantee of worth. 
He m. Nov. 22, 1849, Maria H. Stevens. 

51. Arthur S., b. 'Dec. 2, 1850; m. Feb. 3, 1876, Mary A., dau. of Lewis .\. and 

Betsey (Richardson) Hawkins. 

52. Emma H., b. April 25, 1852; m. Elbridge Smith. See. 

53. Walter, b. Feb. 15, 1858; d. March 3, 1S59. 

54. Bertha A., h. May 2, 1S63; d. Oct. 27, 1S64. 55. Harry B., b. June 15, 1866. 



SECOND BRANCH. 

56. William Calef, of Kingston, a cousin of William, (i) was 
born in 1706 and d. Nov. 14, 1784; m. Louise — , who 
d. in 1799, aged 82. Their children were: i. Louise, 
b. Jan. 6, 1739-40. n. Joseph, b. Dec. 12, 1742. in. Sarah, 
b. Sept. 1749. IV. Lydia, b. July, 1755. v. Mary, b. 
Sept. 1^58. VI, Dolly, b. June 20, 1762. William spent 
much of his time in Salisbury, with his son and visiting 
his cousin's family. In 1757 he was chosen church 
chorister at Kin<rston. 



5l6 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

57. Joseph, (11) above mentioned, purchased land in Salisbury 
of Daniel Stevens, March 11, 1789, remaining on the 
farm now occupied by Benjamin, his descendant. He 
d. May 16, 1823, aged 81. He m. Hannah, dau. of Ben- 
jamin Pettengill. The following poem was composed 
by the Rev. Thomas Worcester, then in his third year 
as pastor of the Congregational church : 



Some Serious Thoughts 



Occasioned by the Death of the Much Respected Mrs. Hannah Calef, Consort of 

Mr. Joseph Calef, and Sister of the Church of Christ in Salisbury, who 

Died December sth, 1793, in the 46TH year of her age. 

BY THOMAS WORCESTER, 

pastor of said church. 

Published by the Desire of Mourning Friends. 



I. 

The soul who loves eternal Truth, 

Who loves religion here below; 

Who stores her mind with knowledge good, 

And by her works her faith doth show. 



She lives by pious Friends beloved, 
Her holy joys exceed her pain ; 
She dies, and leaves the world in peace. 
And death to her, is richest gain. 



When once She bids a long farewell. 
To all which time and sense afford; 
By Angels she's conducted home, 
To reign in glory with her Lord. 

4- 
From toilsome labor, pain and grief, 
From wars and slavish fears she rests; 
Her soul is filled with all those things, 
Which her immortal mind requests. 



GENEALOGY AND HIOGRAPHY. 517 

5- 
Her living faith is changed to sight, 
Her hope is in fruition gone; 
All her desires are satisfied, 
Dwelling in God before His throne. 

6. 

Kternal glories she beholds, 
Unveil'd! with strong immortal eyes; 
And all her powers are now employ'd 
In her belov'd Redeemer's praise. 



And every new display of God, 
Will bring her soul a fresh supply; 
And thus her bliss shall be renewed, 
Along an everlasting day. 

8. 
Is this the happy fate of those 
Who walk in wisdom's pleasant ways; 
Are they thus bless'd in life, and death, 
In time, and to eternal days ? 

9- 
Then why should we lament and mourn. 
When such do close their eyes in death .' 
They're only called to their blest home 
T'employ their powers in nobler breath. 

10. 
And why so few on Zion's side! 
O, why is virtue so dcspis'd! 
What dreadful evil hath it done! 
And why is vice or sin prefer'd. 

II. 
No heavenly glorious rest remains 
For those who live and die in sin; 
Whene'er their eyes are roll'd in death, 
Then sorrows without end begin. 



O, then be wise, ye sons of men. 
Improve your precious day of grace ; 
Break off your sins and turn to God, 
Make Jesus Christ your biding place. 



A' 



i 



518 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

58. Elizabeth, b. Oct. i, 1767; m. — Worthley, who d. at Warner; probably m. (2) 

April 2, 1800, Nathaniel Couch, of Boscawen. 

59. Nathaniel, b. Oct. 26, 1769. He became a deacon, at Grantham. 

60. Louis, b. Dec. 4, 1770; m. Jesse Worthley and res'd at Bradford, Vt., where 

he died. 

61. Joseph, b. Jan. 31, 1773; m. Nov. 12, 1795, Elizabeth (Esther T. R.) Stevens; 

res'd at Washington, Vt., and d. there. 

62. Hannah, b. Nov. i, 1774; m. — Meloon and lived and d. at Grafton. 

63. Judith, b. June 3, 1777. 

64. Rebecca, b. Jan. 26, 1779; m. Oct. 25, 179S, John Huntoon. See. 

65. Dorothy, b. April 24, 1781 ; m. May 5, 1803, Asa Sargent, of Warner. 

66. Benjamin, b, June 22, 1783. Deceased. 

67. Benjamin, b. June 13, 1786. He lived on the homestead until 1841, when he 
■^ removed to the O. B. Stevens house. He d. May 19, 1854; m. July 13, 

C\_ \ 1814, Rachel Blaisdell, who was b. Oct. 20, 1792, and d. Sept. 4, 1872. 

. Moses B., b. May 3, ;8i6; m. Dec. 25, 1841, Emeline, dau. of Rufus and Han- 
nah Fuller, who was b. at Francestown, March 14, 1812; she d. June 21, 
18S3. Their children were: i. George F., b. July 5, 1843; m. Nov. 24, 
'^'~' 1865, Abby Brown, who d. Aug. 18, 1877. 11. Benjamin R., b. May 7, 1845; 

^ d. young. III. Sarah J., b. Feb. 9, 1845. 

69. Hannah, b. Aug. 19, 1818; d. March 24, 1821. 

70. Caroline M., b. April 6, 1S21 ; m. April 2, 1S48, Samuel Murry, of Hopkinton. 

She d. April 13, 1863. 

71. Joseph W., b. Aug. 2, 1S25; m. Elizabeth Roberts, of Maine, and res'd at 

Manchester, where he d. Aug. 2, 1885. 

72. Benjamin P., b. Sept. 18, 1827; m. Nov. 29, 1S52, Mary Green, of Franklin. 

Had Benjamin A., b. March 16, 1S58, who res. on the homestead. 

73. Alfred K., b. Aug. 3, 1830. 

74. Hannah M., b. Aug. 16, 1S34; d. June 6, 1858, unm. 

75. Lucy J., b. Jan. 18, 1836 ; m. Nov. 6, 1S56, Charles G. Morse. See. 



THE CALL FAMILY. 

Philip Call is said to be one of two brothers who came to 
America from England. Philip is known to have been at Con- 
toocook (Boscawen) as early as 1733. He was the first settler 
in this township after the granting of the Masonian proprietors, 
and was subsequently made a grantee (see records.) In 1753 
the grantees voted "to build four houses and that Philip Call's 
shall be one of them." This shows that Call already had a house 
here. His name appears upon the roll of Capt. Jeremiah 



GENEALOGY AND DIOGRAPHY. 519 

Clough's company as a scout, from September 26 to December 
16, 1733, receiving 3I. 15s., provisions extra. Again, in 1746, 
from July 4 to December 4, 81. 13s., and again in 1747, from 
Jan. 5 to Nov. 2, receiving 16I. los. lod. The family, were 
noted for their muscular activity, swiftness of foot, and bravery 
in Indian fighting. The site of the Call house is to be seen 
and easily recognized by a pile of broken bricks and stones, 
which once constituted the chimney, and a large apple tree in 
close proximity. The site is on land belonging to the "Orphans 
Home farm," south-west from the house, on the west side of 
the railroad track, a mile north of Boscawen line, and in close 
pro.ximity to the Salisbury fort. The Indian attack was made 
upon this family in 1754. Philip and his son Stephen were at 
work in the field and witnessed the attack. Stephen wanted 
to discharge his gun at the savages, but the father would not 
let him for fear they would be killed. The Indians, seeing the 
two men, pursued them. Philip took the path for the fort at 
Contoocook, (Boscawen) but finding the Indians close at his 
heels, plunged into the Merrimack river, swimming to the Can- 
terbury shore. The Indians still pursuing, he swam to the 
western shore, and continuing back and forth six times he 
eventually reached the fort. Stephen ran into the woods and 
only saved himself by dropping his "nice new hat," which so 
pleased his pursuers, that while examining it, he escaped. 
Shortly after this the Calls returned to their home. Philip 
served in Col. Nathaniel Meserve's regiment, Capt. John Tit- 
comb's company, in the expedition against Crown Point, in 
1757. It is said that Philip Call built the house subsequently 
occupied by Col. Ebenezer Webster as a tavern. His son may 
have owned it, as Philip died previous to Nov. 28, 1763, (see 
Eliphalet Gale) and probably before 1759, and was buried in 
the eastern side of the Webster yard. His wife is not known. 
We have a record of Stephen (2) and Sarah (3.) Sarah Call, of 
Durham, spinster, for ;^ioo O. T., sold to Stephen Call one- 
half of two tracts of land in Contoocook, which she had of her 
father, Philip Call. Deed dated May 30, 1759. 



520 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

2. Stephen Call m. — Danforth, a sister of Nathaniel Dan- 
forth, who settled opposite the residence of the late Prof. 
J. W. Simonds, at Franklin, formerly Andover, about 
1750. She d. in Aug. 18 16; he d. a few years later. 
Like his father he did much scout duty, serving in Capt. 
Jeremiah Clough's company one month and three days. 
In Capt. Daniel Ladd's company be did scout duty about 
Canterbury and Concord, in 1746, receiving il. los. In 
Capt. John Goff's company, scouting on the frontier from 
May 28 to July 15, 1748, receiving 4I, 14s. 3d., and in 
Capt. Ebenezer Webster's company, Col. Nichols's regt. 
in the Rhode Island campaign of 1776. He was cho- 
sen one of the selectmen at the first town meeting after 
incorporation of the town, subsequently holding other 
town ofifices. He was a man of character and ability. 

4. John. See. 5. Stephen, m. Mehitable, dau. of Jonathan Cass, of Sanbornton. 

6. Nathaniel, m. Dec. 11, 1783, Sarah Chapman, of Sanbornton. Both of these 

brothers left their families and went to Upper Canada. 

7. Philip, m. Keziah, dau. of David Morrison. He rem. to Sanbornton, where he 

was engaged in milling operations, and finally rem. to Stanstead, Canada 
East, about 1S05. 

8. Sarah, m. David Chapman. 9. Susannah, m. Stephen G. Chapman. 

(4.) John was the infant hidden behind the chimney at the 
time of the Indian massacre. He inherited the farm, 
was a sociable man, and a great hunter and fisherman. 
One autumn he caught eleven bears in a trap set in the 
same place. He also speared a salmon in the Merrimack 
river weighing forty-two pounds. He rem. to that part 
of Andover now Franklin, on the farm now occupied by 
his grandson, Hazen H. He m. Dolly, dau. of Benjamin 
Sanborn. (See.) Part of the children were born in 
Salisbury. 

10. Hazen, b. March 24, 1772 ; m. Catherine Ash, of Andover, soon after he was of 

age. He was a farmer at Andover, where he d. May 21, 1854. Had seven 
children. 

11. Polly, m. Jonathan Weeks and res'd at Andover, where she died. 

12. Stephen, rem. to Canada. 



GENEALOGY AND RIOGKAPHY 521 

13. Daniel, m. Sally Thomas and res'd in Sanbornton, afterwards rem. to ("anada. 

14. Dolly, m. Simeon Cate, of Andover. 15. John, went to sea and d. unm. 
16 Eunice, m. Moses Abbott, of Concord. 

17. Peter, m. — Sanborn, of Hill. icS. Abigail, ni. Robert Rogers, of Concord. 

[Many of the above facts differ from published accounts of this 
family, but our notes agree with those of Prof. J. W. 
Simonds, who had unusual advantages for getting verbal 
facts. The compiler acknowledges aid from Prof. Si- 
monds. For more of this family the reader is referred 
to the excellent History of Sanbornton, by Rev. M. T. 
Runnels.] 

Moses Call m. Sarah Boynton and had : 

19. Enoch, m. Ruth Colby. 20. Moses. See. 

21. John, m. Dorothy Downing. 22. Sarah, m. Jonathan Stevens. 

23. David, m. I'olly Fellows. 24. Nathan, m. Susan Webster. 

25. Luke, ni. Olive Elliott, of Boscawen. 

[The foregoing-mentioned Moses Call may have been a brother 
to old Philip, (i.) The following are found upon the 
town records of Salisbury :] 

26. Hannah, dau. of Moses and Mehitable Call, b. Sept. C\ 1751. 

27. Phebe, b. Sept. 11, 1753. 28. Moses, b. June i, 1755. 
29. Timothy, b. Feb. 13, 1763. 30. David, b. May iS, 1765. 
31. Daniel, b. Oct. 13, 1767. 32. Nathan, b. Oct. 15, 1770. 

(20.) Moses, b. in Boscawen, (?) early rem. to Salisbury, and 
settled at the top of the hill northeast of Benjamin F. 
Call's house. He served in the war of 1812, returning 
to Boscawen, and d. May i, 1848. He m. (i) Dec. 7, 
181 2, Sally, dau. of Richard Fellows, (see) ; she d. April 
27, 1828; m. (2) April 24, 1829, Sally Stone. Children 
all b. in Salisbury. 

33. Lorcnzy, b. Nov. 23, 1S14; m. J. ^L Swcatt and res. at Penacook. 

34. Benjamin Franklin, b. Oct. 27, tSi6; m. Nov. 27, 1S45, Eliza C. Stone and res. 

at Webster. Their children were: I. Adelia F., b. Nov. 3, 1S46; m. 
Dec iS, 1872, W. L. (ieorgc. 11. Ira A., b. Nov. 3, 1S49. in. Herbert 
L., b. Feb. 10, 1852; m. May 8, 187S, Lizzie S. Morgan, iv. Almon H., fa- 
July 10, 1854; d. Nov. 30, 1861. V. Arthur C, b. Dec. 22, 1857. 



522 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

35- Sarah, b. Aug. 2S, 1S18; d. Jan. 7, 1S43, unm. 

36. Rachel, b. Sept. i, 1820; d. Aug. 21, 1S63, unm. 

37. Calvin N., b. May 26, 1822; d. April 23, 1828. 

38. Moses A., b. May 15, 1824; m. Mary Kingsley, of Wisconsin. He d. in the 

army. 

39. Hiram S., b. May 15, 1826; d. Feb. 23, 18 . 

40. Hannah L., b. Nov. 15, 1S30; m. Frank Shepherd. Deceased. 

41. Elizabeth J., b. July 18, 1833; m. Frank Shepherd. 



THE CHASE FAMILY. 

FIRST BRANCH. 

Aquilla Chase, who emigrated from Cornwall, England, in 
1630, married, at Newburyport, Mass., Ann Wheeler, and had 
five sons and six daughters. He was the progenitor of the 
family bearing this name in Salisbury. 

I. Thomas rem. to Salisbury previous to 1768, residing in a 
one-story house which stood in Caleb E. Smith's garden. 
" Master Chase," as he was called from his being a suc- 
cessful school teacher, was of a pleasant and sociable 
disposition, a gentleman of the old school, and was very 
prudent in his business transactions. He was without 
doubt the first schoolmaster located here, teaching the 
schools when they were kept in private houses, going 
from one neighborhood to another and also into the sur- 
rounding towns. He was the first teacher from whom 
Daniel Webster received public instruction. Webster 
said of him that "he could read tolerably well and wrote 
a good hand, but that spelling was not his forte." Mr. 
Chase rem. to Cornish with his children, his wife having 
died some years previous. He returned to Salisbury and 
d. Jan. 14, 1807. 

2. Timothy, b. Jan. 22, 1758; d. young. 3. Moses, b. March 23, 1759; d. young. 
4. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 10, 1760. 5. William, b, Oct. 18, 1762; d. in Cornish. 
6. Joannah, b. July 16, 1764; d. April 17, 1S36; ni. John Hobbs, of Andover 
where he d. Aug. 13, 1851, aged 84. 



GENEALOGY AND niOGRAPIlY. 523 

7. Martha, b. May 17, 1766; d. young. 

8. Mary, b. April 10, 1768; res'd at Meriden, Conn., unm. 

9. Hannah, b. Dec. 27, 1769; m. Dec. 25, 1817, Stephen Lang, of Canterbury. (?) 
10. Wells, res'd at Cornish and was thrice married. 11. Emma. 



SECOND BRANCH. 

12. William Chase was a native of Kino^ston. He early rem. 

to Salisbury, building a log house, and subsequently the 
frame house southeast of Harrison V. Heath's, clearing 
up that farm. He d. Dec. 27, 1845, aged 84. During 
the revolutionary war he spent three months in the ser- 
vice, at Portsmouth. He m. Feb. 11, 1783, Betsey 
Fifield, who. d. in 1848, aged 91. 

13. Thomas, b. March 8, 17S4. See. 

14. Polly, b. April 25, 1786; d. March 29, 1837, unm. 

15. Nancy, b. March 26, 1790. It is said she d. unm., but " PInoch Chase, of Hop- 

kinton, m. Feb. 29, 1834, Nancy Chase, of Salisbury." 

(13.) Thomas remained on the farm, and d. March ig, 1832. 
He m. Nov. i6, 1S15, Ann Johnson. 

r6. George \\ ., b. Feb. 1821 ; d. Aug. 23, 1S25. 

17. Thomas, b. April 14, 1832; res. at Eldreth, Nebraska. 

18. Albert G. remained on the farm until NLirch, 1870, when he rem. to Eldreth, 

Nebraska. He m. March, 1S42, Clarissa C. Collins, of Springfield, by 
whom he had nine children, of whom those not named below d. young : 

19. Sarah M., b. May 6, 1S43; m. March, 1S71, Benjamin F. Heath. 20. George W. 
ir. Mary A., b. April 16, 1853; m. Dec. 28, 1866, Ephraim Simonds, of Hopkinton, 

and res. at Lowell, Ma.ss. 



THE CHELLIS FAMILY. 

TWO BRANCHES. 

The family are of English descent, but no early consecutive 
genealogy can now be given. 

I. John Chellis res. at Kingston, where his children were 
born. He had two wives, as the sons who rem. to Salis- 



524 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

bury were half-brothers, and both served at the battle of 
Bunker Hill. His children v/ere: i. Timothy. 11. John, 
(see.) III. Thomas, (see.) iv. Enos, who res. in Ver- 
shire, Vt., thence rem. to Buffalo, N. Y. v. Seth, a sail- 
or, lost at sea. vi. Hannah, vii. Marion, viii. Eliz- 
abeth. 

(11.) John. b. in Kingston in 1841, rem. to Salisbury previous 
to 1773, settling just east of the Moses Greeley home- 
stead, on the north side of the south rangeway, where 
he continued until his death. He m. in 1767 Dorothy 
Sleeper, who was b. in Kingston in 1746, and d. May 
6, 1828. 

10. Cartanet, b. Oct. 4, 1771 ; d. in i860. 

11. Annie, b. in Salisbury, Sept. 30, 1773; d- ^^ iSS^; m. 179S, John Philbrick. 

12. Dorotliy, b. Feb. 19, 1775; d. at Manchester. 

13. William, b. July 27, 1777 ; d. at Corinth, Vt. 

14. John, b. April 10, 1779; m. Dec. 31, 1S12, Amanda Fifield; rem. to Corinth, Vt. 

15. Seth, b. April 16, 1781 ; d. young. 

16. Elizabeth, b. April 20, 1783; d. unm. at Corinth, Vt. 

17. Timothy, June 19, 1785; m. — Lovejoy and d. in 1850. 

18. Hezekiah, b. Aug. 31, 1788. He was somewhat celebrated as a school teacher. 

He d. in 1S29, at Bradford, unm. 

19. Sarah, b. April 29, 1791 ; d. in 1S34, at Corinth, Vt., unm. 

10. Hannah, b. Feb. 19, 1794; m. Dec. 9, 181S, (?) John Greeley, Jr. She d. Dec. 
26, 1818. 

(4.) Thomas Chellis was the first settler on the William 
Holmes farm. He sold this farm to Lieut. Benjamin 
Pettengill, and rem. to Plainfield. He m. Nov. 1771, 
Molly (Mary) French. Their children were all born in 
Salisbury, (i') 

21. Anne, b. March 3, 1772 ; m. — Watson; d. at Plainfield. 

22. Enoch, b. Jan. 22, 1774. 23. Lydia, b. Sept. 23, 1778. 

24. Molly, (Mary) b. April 6, 1779; m. — Puddelford, and res'd at Lebanon. 

25. — b. June ID, 1781 ; m. — Baker, of Lebanon. 

26. Thomas, b. March 24, 1784; m. Abigail Morgan, June 25, 1809, who was b. 

Feb. 9, 1786; rem. to Plainfield. 

27. Samuel F., b. Aug. 3, 17S6, and d. at Newport. 

28. Moses, b. April 11, 1788, and d. at Plainfield. 

29. Amos, b. Sept. 7, 1790, and d. at Plainfield. 

30. John, b. April 6, 1793, and d. at Natchez, Mississippi. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 52$ 

THE CLKMENT FAMILY* 

TWO BRANCHES. 

Robert, the ancestor, was b. in Coventry, Warwickshire, 
England, in 1590 and removed to this country in 1642, settling 
at Haverhill, Mass. He was very prominent in the colony and 
was one of the first to take the deed of the town from Passaga 
and Saggahem (Indians) in 1643. ^^ was the first represen- 
tative of the town to the general court, in 1645, holding the 
office nine years in succession, and being succeeded by his son 
John for two years. On the latter's return to England the ves- 
sel was wrecked and he was drowned. His son Robert (2) was 
county commissioner and associate judge. His son Fawn (3) 
settled at Newburyport. His son Jonathan (4) settled in that 
part of Amesbury now Merrimack. His son Jacob (5) had : 

1. Stephen, b. Feb. 12, 1751, and remained at Amesbury. 

2. John, b. in Amesbury, March 17, 1753. See. 

3. Moses, b. March 22, 1755. See. 4. Hannah, b. March 14, 1757. 
5. Sally, b. March 30, 1759. 6. Anne, b. Jan. i, 1763. 

7. Jacob, b. July 23, 1765. He remained on the homestead, which has been held 

by the Clement family in Salisbury for 166 years, [to 1885] and is now 
occupied by Moses G. 

(2.) Capt. John rem. to Salisbury in 1787, settling on land at 
the south end of the cross road leading from the south 
range near D. C. Stevens to the centre range. Here he 
remained for thirteen years, then rem. to Warner, where 
he d. April 12, 1827. He m. Elizabeth Stevens, who d. 
at Warner, Feb. 6, 1827. 

8. Hannah, b. Sept. i, 1776. 9. Joseph, b. Aug. 15, 1777. 

10. .Moses, b. in 1779. He read medicine with Dr. Leonard, at Hopkinton, and 

settled at Cocymans, N. Y. 

11. Abigail, Irorn in 17S0. 12. John, b. May 27, 17S2. 
13. Nancy, b. Sept. 7, 17S4. 14. Mary, b. Dec. 3, 1788. 
15. Sally, b. June 22, 1791. 16. Hctsey. 

17. Lois, b. July 15, 1798; m. Sept. 10, 1S20, lienjamin Edwards; d. at Warner, 
Aug. 4, 1S50. 

•For the ancestry of this family I am indebted to Mr. J. \V. Clement, of Warner. 



526 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(3.) Moses rem. here with his brother John, in 1787, clearing 
up what is known as the Lewis farm on the centre range, 
remaining here till 1800 (?) when he purchased the Leon- 
ard Judkins farm at the south road, opposite the academy, 
where he d. April i, 1838. He m. Mary Kendrick, of 
Amesbury, who d. in 1842. Mr. Clement was highly 
respected, an influential citizen, a successful and well-to- 
do farmer, and very unassuming in his manners. He 
gave his children a good education and was for many 
years one of the trustees of the academy. 

18. Susan, b. in 1799; d- March 28, 1861, unm. She was a most amiable lady and 

a successful teacher. 

19. Sarah, m. Isaac Smith, of Hampstead, who d. May 2, 1866, aged 70. Their 

children were: i. Joseph, who d. young. 11. Rufus C, a merchant at 
Haverhill, Mass. 

20. Anne, m. Dr. Benjamin E. Woodman. ( See physicians.) She d. Feb. 24, 1877, 

aged 75. 

21. Hannah, d. suddenly June 9, i8oS,*aged 17. 

22. Hannah, d. March 28, 1809, aged one year. 

23. Moses, b. in the Judkins house Dec. 12, 1805. He m. (i) 

1830, Cynthia, dau. of Rev. Jonathan Wilkins, a Congre- 
gational minister, of Concord. She d. April 7, 1863, 
ao-ed 60. He m. (2) Aug. 18, 1864, Mrs. Sarah E. Smith, 
of Deerfield, who d. Sept. 6, 1868. He m. (3) in 1871, 
Mrs. Sarah M. Elkins. In 1868 Mr. Clement sold his 
farm and rem. to Franklin, where for several years he 
was an overseer at the upper paper mill. Unusually 
respected, kind and obliging, social in his intercourse 
and honest in all his dealings, h d. Sept. 19, 1881. His 
children by first wife were : 

24. Rufus \V., d. Dec. 30, 1S34, aged 3 years. 

•71:. Mary W., b. Nov. 23, 1835; ^- ^ov. 11, 1853, Prof. J. W. Simonds. (See 
academy instructors.) He d. at Vermillion, Dakota, June 5, 1885, at which 
place he was President of the University of Dakota. The remains were 
brou<Tht to Franklin and deposited in the family lot. Their children were : 
1. Jefferson A., b. Feb. 15, 1856. Ii. Anne C, b. Feb. 20, i860, d. Feb. 11, 
1865. III. Arthur P., b. March 6, 1864. iv. Mabel J., b. Aug. 8, 1S69. 
V. Harry L., b. Aug. 26, 1875. 

'>6 Sarah J., b. Jan. 7, 1838; m. Moses G. Kimball and res. at Franklin. He d. 
Fek 19, 1887. 

2- Rebecca K., b. July 21, 1842; m. Otis F. Batchelder, of Franklin. 



GENEALOGY AND RIOGRAPHV. 52/ 

Moses (23) had by second wife : 

28. Edgar S., b. Nov. 20, 1870; d. at the age of 3 years. 

THE COLBY FAMILY. 

TWO I5RANCHES. 

I. Enoch Colby was a direct descendant from Samuel, who 
married Elizabeth — and who according to tradition fled from 
London, England, at the time of the great plague, (1665) set- 
tling at Amesbury, Mass. The above Enoch was the eldest son 
of Barzillai and Elizabeth (Plumer) Colby, b. at Amesbury, 
Feb. 4, 1759. ^^ ""'• Hannah Kendrick, and rem. to Salisbury 
previous to Nov. 23, 1791, at which date he bought of Abraham 
Sanborn one acre of land, which was part of an eighty-acre lot 
No. 49, on the second range. On this land he settled and after- 
wards built the house occupied by Evan M. Heath, his farm 
being located on the opposite side of the road. He was by 
trade a carpenter, joiner and mason, his shop standing west of 
his dwelling. He d. July 12, 1824. 

2. John, m. at Haverhill, Mass., Mary Ila/.elton; died in New York city. 

3. .Seth K. (See.) 

4. Enoch, m. March 8, 1803, Polly Couch and rem. to Leroy, Ohio, where he d. 

aged 60. 

5. Enos, b. Dec. 20, 1793. ^^^- 6. Ketsey, m. Nathaniel Huntoon. 

7. Hannah, m. Philip Heath; she d. at Buffalo, N. V., in 1878. 

(3.) Seth K. learned the blacksmith trade of Meshech Weare, 
of Andover, and rem. to Candia. He m. Mary, dau. of 
Stephen and Nancy (Eaton) Clay, who was b. Nov. 19, 
1787. While there he followed his trade, and returning 
to his native town in 1814 followed his trade on the home- 
stead, then built the house occupied by his son Daniel, 
had a shop, and continued at his trade there. He d. 
Nov. 17, 1 86 1, aged y^ ; she d. Jan. 12, i860. 

8. Eliza H., b. at Candia, March 3, 1S12. 

9. .\nn K., b. Dec. i, 1S13; m. in 1S40 Levi Cirtcr, of Hoscawen. 



528 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

10. John B., b. May, iSi6; m. Feb. 9, 1845, Eunice G. Dunlap. 

11. Daniel, b. July 17, 1818. 

12. Seth K., b. Sept. 11, 1S27, and rem. to Ilelinia, Ala. He d. Aug. 11, 1S79, unm. 

(5.) Enos m. July 22, 1821, Lydia Babb, b. May 17, 1794, and 
rem. to Solon, Me., returning to Salisbury in 1855. He 
d. in the Moses Colby house, April 23, i860. 

13. James, b. March i, 1S22, d. young. 14. Moses C, b. May, 1823, d. young. 

15. Mary A. C, b. Jan. 11, 1825; m. Thomas Lewis. Both d. in Salisbury. 

16. Jane, b. Nov. 2, 1S26. 

17. Harriet, b. Nov. 14, 1828; m. Dr. Jason Copp and res. at Manchester. 

18. Sarah, b. Feb. 25, 1831, d. young. 

19. Moses, b. July 5, 1833; m. Dec. 18, 1856, Asenath H. Scribner. He is a 

farmer and remains in Salisbury. 

20. True F., b. July 29, 1857; m. Sarah Tyler. 

21. Mary A., b. Oct. 28, 1859; m. Jan. i, 1878, Fred. G. Clough. 

22. Walter H., b. July 9, 1861 ; m. Aug. 20, 18S2, Ella Mahana; res. at Peoria, 111.. 

23. Celia S., b. Dec. 22, 1864. 

SECOND BRANCH. 

1. Handel N. Colby, son of John P. and Hannah (Raino) 

Colby, was b. at Hill, Oct. 27, 1843, from which place he 
removed to Lawrence, Mass., where for nearly seven 
years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. The busi- 
ness proving too confining, he purchased of Daniel Piper 
the Col. John C. Gale farm, Oct. i, 1870. He has since 
been putting this farm of nearly three hundred acres in 
first-class condition, and it is now one of the best farms 
in town. He m. Oct. 26, 1868, Anna R., dau. of Simon 
and Rebekah (Hamilton) Hanscom, who was b. at Ban- 
gor, Me., June 8, 1848. He rem. to South Lawrence in 
Dec, 1884, where he still resides. 

2. Frank H., b. Nov. 5, 1S69. 3. Mary B., b. .\pril 23, 1871. 
4. Bertha E., b. Jan. 26, 1877. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 529 



THE COLE FAMILY. 

James Cole was the first of the name in America, settling in 
the Plymouth colony in 1633. His descendant, John Cole, was 
born in 1669, resided at Lynn, Mass., and died in 1737. He 
and his son Samuel moved to Boxford, Mass., in 17 17. Samuel 
had fifteen children, all of whose sons served in the revolution- 
ary war. The third child, Solomon, born in 1743, had — 

I. Isaac, b. at Beverly, Mass., June 26, 1769. He was a car- 
penter by trade, and m. Hannah Atwood, a native of 
Atkinson. After marriage he rem. to Chester, thence 
to Landaff, and about 18 13 went to Franconia, to assume 
the superintendence of the wood-work department of the 
New Hampshire Iron Manufacturing Co., and continued 
there eight years. In 1821 he rem. to Salisbury, settling 
in that part of the town now included in Franklin, and 
built a small foundry on the north side of Chance pond 
brook, opposite Taylor's foundry. This was the first 
iron foundry in this section as well as one of the first in 
the state. He carried on his foundry here for si.x years, 
and in 1827 rem. to Lake Village, where he again estab- 
lished a small foundry, which he operated for nine years. 
This subsequently formed part of the plant of the present 
extensive iron works at that place. He was an active 
man, of marked mechanical aptitude, and of great indus- 
try and perseverance. He was a member of the Free 
Baptist church. lie d. July 8, 1854, aged 85. His 
children were : 

2. Hannah, m. John .\ldrich, of Franconia. 

3. Mchitabic, m. Jo.scph Towne, who lived in Lisbon the most of his life, remov- 

ing to Lake Village, where he died. 

4. Isaac, m. Lucy Knapp, of Franconia. 

5. Mary, m. Perley Putnam, of Franconia. 

6. John, m. (i) M.iry Ryan, of Plymouth; m. (2) Abigail Davis, of Lowell, .Nfass. 

7. Fiizabcth, m. Horace ltugl>ee, of Hartford, Vt. 

8. Timothy (Rev.) m. .Susan Hill, of .Springfield. He was a preacher of the 

Christian denomination, beginning his ministry in 1S28. Most of his life 
was spent in evangelical work. He d. at Lake Village, Jan., iSOg. 

9. Abigail, m. Joseph Hill, of Springfield. 

34 



530 HISTORY OF SALISBURV 

lo. Benjamin J. was b. at Franconia, Sept. 28, 1814. He ob- 
tained his education principally at the old Noyes acade- 
my, the first normal school in the state. In December, 
1836, in connection with his brother Isaac and his brother 
in law John Aldrich, he purchased the foundry at Lake 
Village of his father, and continued the business under 
the firm name of Cole & Co. This firm continued oper- 
ations until 1846, when it became Cole, Davis & Co. In 
1857 Mr. Cole became sole proprietor, conducting it un- 
til 1873 under the name of B. J. Cole & Co. In 1873 
the plant was taken by an incorporated stock company, 
with a capital of $72,000. At the present time their 
annual product amounts to one hundred thousand dollars, 
furnishing employment to seventy-five hands. For a 
more extended sketch the reader is referred to the His- 
tory of Merrimack and I^elknap Counties, page 774. 



THE COLLINS FAMILY. 

TWO BRANCHES. 

I. Deacon John was one of the early settlers, removing here 
from Kingston previous to 1768, settling south of the south 
rangeway, on the east side of the road which leads from the 
rangeway to the Moses Fellows farm. Later in life he moved 
to the John S. Dimond place. Early in life he owned much 
land here and was intimately connected with town affairs pre- 
viously to and after its incorporation. He was the first deacon 
of the Congregational church and was a very exemplar}'' man. 
None of his lineal descendants are known. He was b. Feb. 14, 
1741 ; d. Sept. II, 1844; m. Oct. i, 1761, Sarah Challis, who 
wash. Jan. 10, 1741, and d. July 5, 1832. 

2. Winthrop, h. Jan. lo, 1763; m. Dec. 2, 17S4, Alarian Elliott, of Boscawen. 

Children b. in Salisbury were : 1. Winthrop, b. Sept. 8, 17S5. 11. Marian, 
b. Dec. 31, 1786, d. Dec. 3, 1796. in. John, b. April 3, 17S8. iv. Charles, 
b. March 8, 1790. v. Nancy, b. 1791. vi. Hannah, b. Sept. 10, 1795. 
VII. Moses C, b. Oct, 11, 179S. viii. Amos P., b. March 21, 1802. 

3. Charles, b. Oct. 5, 1764; m. Jan. 2, 1786, Sarah Flanders. Children b. in 

Salisbury were: i. Sarah, b. July 13, 1787. 11. Anne, b. F'eb. 23, 1790. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 531 

4. John. b. April 6, 1767. See. 5. Carteret, b. Aug. 5, 1769; m. May 17, 1792, 

Comfort Carpenter; he d. July, 1847. 6. Joseph, b. May 6, 1771. Sec. 
7. Enoch, b. Jan. 22, 1773. 

8. Enos, b. Sept. 20, 1775; m. Aug. 30, 1798, Elizabeth Sawyer; he d. May 10, 

1S17. Had Elias, b. in Salisbury, May 31, 1799. 

9. Sarah, b. June 20, 1779, d. Feb. 1S19; m. Nov. 5, 1797, Jacob Badger. 
10. Annie, b. March 19, 17S1, d. Dec. 31, 17S9. 

n. Scth C, b. F"eb. 15, 17S5, d. Jan. 25, 1847 ; rn- Oct. 11, 1807, Marian Sawyer. 

(4.) John settled south of the Getchell place, then rem. to the west part of the 
town and finally to Springfield, where he d. Dec. 6, 1853. He m. Dec. 27, 
1 791, Mehitable Fellows, who d. at Springfield, Oct. 10, 1828. 

12. Timothy, b. Aug. 10, 1793, d. young. 13. Sally, b. June 30, 1794, d. young. 

14. Timothy C, b. May 28, 1796. Moved west and d. June 12, 1S69; m. I'^eb. 18, 
1819, Susannah Colby. 15. Ezra, b. July 9, 179.S, d. May 16, 1823. 

16. Dolly W., b. Sept. 3, 1S03; m. Nov. 23, 1826, Levi Waterman, of Vermont. 

17. Mary F., b. Dec. 10, 1805, d. April 12, 1879, unm. 18. Larana, b. March 5, 

1808. 19. Adaline, b. June 3, 1810; m. James >runroe ; she d. Sept. 30, 

1879. 20. John, b. Feb. 14, 1812, d. Feb. Feb. 27, 1813. 21. Nancy H., b. 

Dec. 3, 1814. 22. Luther NL, b. June 22, 1819; m. and rem. to N. Y. 
(6.) Joseph, m. Aug. 9, 1792, Phebe Fellows. Subsequent to the birth of three 

children he rem. to .Springfield. 
23. Polly, b. Sept. 21, 1793. -4- Joseph, b. June 26, 1795. 
25. Hannah, b. June 15, 1797. 26. Phebe, b. June 4, 1799. 

SECOND BRANCH. 

Thomas Collins, of whom nothing is known, was the head of 
this branch in Salisbury. He probably married, in Nov. 1771, 
Molly French. The following entries are taken from the town 
records : 

1. Anne, b. March, 1772. 

2. l^noch, b. Jan. 22, 1774; m. Dec. 19, 1797, Dolly Canfield. 

3. Lydia, b. .Sept. 23, 1775, d. Sept. 28, 177S. 4. M0II3', b. April 5, 1779. 

5. Lydia, b. June 10, 17S1. 6. Thomas, b. .March 29. 17S5. 

7. Samuel F"rench, b. .Aug. 3, 1786. 8. Moses, b. April 11, 1788. 
9. Amos, b. Sept. 7, 1790; deceased. 10. — b. April 6, 1793. 



THE CORSON FAMILY. 

John Corson was a native of Lebanon, Me., residing on the 
farm inherited from his father. He served in the revolutionary 
war. He m. Jenny llodgdon and had five children, Thomas, 
Samuel, Ralph, John, and Charlotte. Ralph, the third child, 
removed to Lee, where he m. Betsey IClliott. Of this family 
we have a record of — 



532 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

6. John, b. at Lee, Sept. 13, 1826; m. Feb. 13, 1854, Ellen 

Murnane, dau. of Garrett and Margaret (Scannell) Mur- 
nane, who rem. to this country from Aunescales, County 
Kerry, Ireland, purchasing the Corson farm ; afterwards 
rem. to Andover, Mass., thence to Lawrence, Ellen was 
b. March 18, 1834. Mr. Corson rem. to Salisbury in 
April, 1863. Mrs. Corson cast the first female vote in 
town, for prudential school committee, and is a very 
active, energetic woman. 

7. John L., b. at Durham, June 13, 1855; res. in California. 

8. Frank H., b. at Durham, Jan. 31, 1859; res. in Concord. 

9. Elmer E., b. at Durham, Aug. 3, 1862. He was drowned in the Sacramento 

river, California, April 10, 1884. 
10. Belle E., b. in Salisbury, June 9, 187 1. 



THE COUCH FAMILY. 

FIRST BRANCH. 

The ancestry of this family fled from Scotland to England at 
a time of religious persecution. Three brothers came to Amer- 
ica from Wales. Joseph settled at old Newbury, ( Newburyport ) 
Mass., and another settled at Kingston. The third re-shipped 
for England and was never heard from. 

I. John came to Contoocook (Boscawen) previous to 1768, 
settling on the farm owned by Miss Nancy Couch, and 
d. in 1784. He m. (i) Elsie Rowell ; m. (2) Mrs. Nancy 
Webster {?); m. (3) Mrs. Muzzey. The children by his 
first wife were : 

2. John. See. 3. Elsie, m. John Sawyer, of Hopkinton. 

4. Benjamin, b. June 25, 1753; d. April 16, 1823. 

5. Joseph, b. in Dec, 1755; d. Feb. 7, 1S21. 

The children of Joseph (i) by his second wife were: 

6. Mary, b. March 22, 1761 ; m. Friend C. Little; d. May 14, 1834. 

(2.) John was b. in 1749, m. Polly Gordon, and res'd for a 
time on Battle street, in Webster ; rem. to Springfield, 
carrying their goods on a hand-sled, his wife carrying the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 533 

child. After remaining there seven years they returned 
and settled in Salisbury, on the farm now occupied by 
his descendant. He d. in July, 1837. 

William, h. Oct. 19, 1775. See. 

Elsie, 111. Xatiianiel Weare and settled at Whitefield. 

John, d. young. 10. John. See. 11. Polly, m. Enoch Colby. 

Daniel, killed by the kick of a horse. 13. Joseph, d. young. 

Abigail, m. liagJey Colby. 15. Amos. See. 

Rachel, m. Caleb Watson, which see. 17. Samuel. See. 

Sally d. in infancy. 19. Benjamin, d. young. 



(7.) William settled just across the boundary, in Warner, on 
the farm now occupied by his son Albert J., and d. April 
II, 1856. He m. (i) Oct. 14, 1798, Polly Quimby, who 
was b. Nov. 28, 1781, and d. Sept. i, 1835 ; m. (2) Sally 
Little. 

20. Sally, b. June i6, 1799; m. Daniel Sargent, of Warner; d. March 24, 1861. 

21. Sophronia, b. Nov. S, 1801 ; m. John Greeley; d. April 26, 1S76. 

22. Simeon, b. Jan. 15, 1S04; m. Rosamond Colby; d. in April, 1836. 

23. Hannaii, b. May 29, 1S04; m. Dec. 1S37, True Flanders. 

24. Abigail, b. Jan. 21, 1S09; m. (i) John Currier; m. (2) Joseph L. Couch. 

25. Daniel W., b. Oct. 16. 1S12; m. (i) Susan (May) A. Davis; m. (2) E. J. Aus- 

tin, of Sutton. He d. in July, 1S6S. 

26. Albert J., b. March 9, 1S14; m. (i) Sept. 7, 1834, Ruth Sargent, of Warner, who 

d. July 6, 1S54; m. (2) Nov. 3, 1S54, Slary A. Hoardman. 

27. Mary, b. Oct. 31, 1S16; m. Nov. 4, 1839, Humphrey Jackman. 

28. Emily M., b. April 29, 1S27 ; m. Albert S. Hillard and res. in Gilmanton. 

(lo.) John (Deacon) was b. May 7, 1780. He built the house 
occupied ( 1883 ) by Clarence E. Couch. By trade he was 
a blacksmith and a skilful edged-tool worker. He rem. 
to Concord in 1863, and d. Oct. 7, 1866. He. m. Aug. 
II, 1803, Lydia B. Bean, who d. Feb. 20, i860, aged 76. 

29. Sally, b. Tan. 21, 1805; m. Paul Pearson, of Boscawen. She d. Nov. 27, 1S75. 

30. Eliza, b. Dec. 7, 1807 ; m. Nathan Pearson, of Boscawen. She d. Aug. 7, 1877. 

31. Miriam, b. March 11, iSio; m. (i) Nathan Webster; m. (2) James Merriam, of 

Concord. 

32. John. See. 

( 15.) Amos, b. in Salisbury, May 1 1, 1790. He remained here 
until 1 82 1, when he rem. to Water street, Boscawen. 
He m. (i) March 20, 18 14, Hannah Ray, of Henniker, 
Second wife not known. 

33. Hale, b. May 2G, 1S14; d. Aug. 29, 1S53. 34. Eunice, b. March 15, iSiS. 

35. Charles R., b. in I^oscawen, Oct. 22, 1S23 ; d. .Vug. i, 1S24. 

36. Charlotte, b. .\pril 12, 1S26; m. Moody .\. Pillsbury, Jr. 



534 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(17.) Samuel built the house east of Deacon John's, succeeded 
his father at blacksmithing and followed the trade for 
some years. He secured the services of a criminal who 
had been pardoned out of the state prison, who taught 
Mr. Couch how to properly weld steel and iron and tem- 
per the same, and the "Couch axe" was much sought 
after, being considered the best axe made. He d. Jan. 
8, 1865. He m. (i) Susan Call, of Boscawen, who d. in 
1845 ; m. (2) Sally Moody, of Boscawen. 

37. Henry C, b. July 28, 1S21. 38. Martha J., b. May 9, 1823, d. Oct. 28, 1846. 

38. George W., b. Aug. 11, 1823; m. Mehitable Eastman, of Warner; d. July 

13, 1867. 

40. Levi W., b. Sept. 29, 1S27 ; m. Nov. 22, 1855, Mary J. Abbott. 

41. Charles, b. Oct. iS, 1829; m. (i) Lucretia N. Abbott, who d. in July, 1868; m. 

(2) Nov. 12, 1869, Judith N. Bullock. 

42. Adaline, b. April 23, 1833; m. Nathan Tucker. See. 

(32.) Elder John was b. Aug. 4, 18 14. He completed his edu- 
cation at the Noyes school, under the instruction of 
Benjamin Tyler. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in 
the state militia when but eighteen years of age, com- 
missioned Captain of one of the companies of "Grena- 
diers," and was a Major when only twenty-one. Two 
years later he was made a justice of the peace. He m. 
in 1855 Almeda, dau. of Benjamin Greeley, who d. May 
17, 1870, by whom he had: i. Benjamin VV. 11. Clara. 
III. Eliza J. Clara d. at the age of twenty-one ; the rest 
res. at Concord. He m. (2) Maria J. Pickering, of Barn- 
stead. In 1S42 Mr. Couch felt himself called to preach 
the gospel as an adventist, and has since labored with 
much vigor for that denomination, meeting with marked 
success. In 1850 he was chosen senior editor of the 
Bible Banner, published at New York, retaining his con- 
nection for three years. In 1873 he was elected editor 
of the World's Crisis, a large religious paper published 
at Boston, where he still remains. He is a very labor- 
ious worker and a gentleman much respected. The first 
twenty-five years of his life were spent in Salisbury, 
removing to Warner, thence to Concord, and for the last 
fourteen years at Boston. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY, 535 

SECOND BRANCH. 

43. Samuel, son of Benjamin and Rachel ( Heath) Couch, and 

grandson of Joseph, the first of that name who settled at 
Boscawen, was b. Jan. 25, 1789, and m. Sept. 15, 1812, 
Eunice Howard, of Salisbury. She d. Oct. 24, 1858 ; he 
d. March i, 1858. He res. in the Nathan Morgan house, 
which was built by his elder brother, I^enjamin. 

44. Samuel L., b. in Salisbury, Jan. 29, 1S15; m. Nov. 2S, 1839, Eliza Couch, b. 

Jan. S, rSr^. He d. July 2, 1872. 

45. Hiram i\Iorrill was b. in Salisbury, Feb. 16, 1818. An 

ambitious and industrious student, he completed his 
studies at the Salisbury academy and the University at 
Norwich, Vt., under the instruction of Capt. Partridge, 
and began to teach when he was eighteen years of age. 
From i(S40 he taught five terms at Georgetown, Mass. 
He began the study of medicine with Dr. Herbert, after- 
wards with Dr. Robinson at Salisbury, and Dr. Timothy 
Haines at Concord. He graduated at the Dartmouth 
Medical School in 1847, and began practice at George- 
town, where he d. Dec. 22, 1862. He. m. Dec. 13, 1848, 
Mahala Tilton, of Sanbornton, by whom he had two chil- 
dren. Dr. Couch successfully performed a number of 
difficult surgical operations. He was also possessed of 
considerable musical talent and was much respected. 

46. Ira H., b. Jan. 17, 1S21 ; m. June 27, 1S59, .Mary, dau. of Jonathan P.rown, of 

Andover. She d. Oct. 9, 1861. He res. at Contoocook. 

47. Elbridge D., b. July 27, 1S25, unm. 48. Ellen M., b. April 5, 1835, unm. 
49. Warren, b. July 7, 1S41. 50. Joseph, b. Feb. iS, 1843. 

51. Silas W., b. Jan. Si 1846. 



nil': CROSS famh.v. 

Three families of this name settled on the east side of Merri- 
mack river, viz : Thomas, who resided at what is now Franklin 
Falls, where he had a store and manufactured potash, etc., and 
Jesse and Abraham. 



536 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

I. Stephen was a lineal descendant of Thomas, the family emi- 

grating to this country from Ipswich, England. Stephen 
rem. to Salisbury from Massachusetts, settling at the 
lower village, (Orphans Home, Franklin,) on the site 
now occupied by Wallace Burleigh's brick house. In 
addition to farming he operated a ferry across the river 
to Jesse Cross's, in Northfield. He m. Peggy, sister of 
Capt. Peter Bowen, which see. Children all b. in Salis- 
bury. 

2. Judith, b. Aug. 19, 1771 ; m. Feb. 21, 1796, John Edwards, of Montpelier, Vt. 

3. Stephen, b. July 20, 1773, after recovering from a fractured 

leg, learned the tailor's trade and carried on that busi- 
ness in what is now the town of Tilton, where he m. 
June 23, 1799, Sally, dau. of Winthrop Durgin. He d. at 
Tilton, April 30, 1841 ; she d. at Plymouth, Aug. 20, 
1867, aged about 85. 

4. Abraham, b. June 10, 1775, res. in that part of Sanbornton 

now Tilton, where he built a large sawmill, known as 
the "Cross mill." He m. Jan. 21, 1880, Ruth, dau. of 
Deacon Francis Sawyer, of Canterbury. He. d. Sept. 
24, 1853 ; she d. April 15, 1868. 

5. Isaac, b. Dec. 11, 1776. 6. Timothy, b. Dec. 12, 177S. 
7. Peggy, b. May 28, 17S0. 8. Moses, b. March 20, 1783. 
9. Peter B., b. May 28, 1785. 

10. Michael, b. April 18, 1787; m. Nov. 26, iSii, Betsey Sanborn; remained on 
the homestead. 

II. Ruth, b. May 23, 1789. 12. Rebecca, b. Aug. 11, 1791. 

13. Theodore, b. April 23, 1794. 

14. Luke, b. Oct. 30, 1796. When he was 40 years of age all the members of the 

family were living. 



THE CURRIER FAMILY. 

James removed here from Newburyport, Mass., and built the 
house now occupied by Mrs. Farnum. He built the first grist- 
mill in that vicinity, which stood opposite Mr. John Shaw's 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHV. 53/ 

mill. (See mills.) He rem. to Enfield, where he died. He 
m. (i) Lydia — who d. Nov. 13, 1802, aged 66; his second wife 
is not known. 

2. Nathan remained on the homestead and d. Xov. 6, 1844; ^- ^^^V I3> 1802, 

Sally Carter, of Canterbury, who d. at Wilmot, Dec. 7, 1845. Their chil" 
dren were: I. Nathan, m. Oct. 4, 1835, Mary Frazier, who d. at Weare, 
leaving one son. Dr. G. W. Currier, who res. at Nashua. II. Thomas W.> 
m. June 3, 1833, Elvira W. Bi.xby; he d. at Wilmot; she m. (2) Daniel 
Hobbs and re.s. at Wilmot. Hi. .Sarah E., m. April 18, 1847, Jesse 
Stevens; d. May 24, 185 1. 

3. Gideon, m. Sarali Dunlap; d. in Massachusetts. 4. James. See. 

5. Richard, m. (1) Nov. 30, 1797, Nancy Pettengill ; m. (2) 
May Garland and rem. to Enfield, where he became cel- 
ebrated as a popular hotel proprietor. 

(4.) James built a house which stood in William Dunlap's 
garden. He rem. to Lowell, Mass., and afterwards to 
Danville. He m. April 23, 1795, Sally Bohonan. 

6. Mary, m. June 16, 1814, William Loverin. 

7. James, m. (i) April 8, 1823, Phebe Dustin ; second wife not known; res'd at 

Haverhill. 

8. Betsey, m. — Coffin and res., at West Newbury. 

9. Sarah, m. — White and res. at Lowell, Mass. 
10. Smith. II. Charlotte. 

Other members of this family (?) are : 

I. Daniel Currier, m. Feb. 3, 1791, Dorothy French. Their children were: 
I. Henry, b. Jan. 2, 1792. 11. Sarah, b. Feb. 12, 1794. 



THK CLASHING FA^HLY. 

FIRST BRANXH. 

Prior to 1400 the name is spelled Cusheyn and otherwise. 
The earliest authentic record of the Gushing family, from which 
an unbroken descent can be traced, is found in several deeds 
and charters, dating from 1466 to 1480. Matthew, the third 
child of Peter and Susan Hames, whom he m. June 2, 1585, (?) 



53^ HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

was the son of Thomas, the second son of John of Hardingham, 
England. Matthew m. 1613, (?) Mazareth Pitcher, and with his 
children embarked in the schooner "Diligent," arriving at Bos- 
ton Aug. 10, 1638. With his fellow-passengers he began the 
settlement of Hingham, which they named in memory of their 
former home. 

1. Caleb Gushing, third child of Caleb and Sarah (Sawyer) 

Cashing, who was the third son of John and Eliza (dau. 
of Rev. Seaborn Cotton) Cushing, who was the son of 
John and Sarah (dau. of Matthew Hawke, of Hingham,) 
Cushing, this John being the youngest son of Matthew, 
referred to above. Caleb, the 7th in descent from John 
of England, was b. at Haverhill, Mass., Sept. 4, 1767; 
m. in 1792 Polly (Mary) Church, and rem. to Salisbury, 
settling on the old college road and building the house 
now standing northeast of Moses P. Thompson's. He 
carried on the blacksmithing business, afterwards remov- 
ing to Orange, Vt., and d. at Charlestown, Me., Aug. 22, 
1863. She d. there in 1861. He was for many years a 
justice of the peace, and for nineteen consecutive years 
was a representative to the general court. He was emin- 
ently a self-made man, having but slight school advan- 
tages, a shrewd, close observer of men and things, and 
correct in his estimate of character. As will be inferred 
from the names of his sons, he was in politics a demo- 
crat. The children, all b. in Salisbury, were : 

2. Sally, b. June 15, 1793; ^- i^^- i. 1S16, Dr. Benjamin Flint, who d. Sept. 26, 

1838. She res. at Bangor, Me. 

3. John C, b. Feb. 12, 1795; d. at New Orleans, La., Jan. 12, 1S73, unm. 

4. Harriet, b. June 18, 1798; m. July 16, iSiS, Dr. Samuel Haskins. He d. June 

12, 1873. 

5. Thomas Jefferson, b. Feb. 7, 1801 ; m. Dec. 21, 1826, Sophia Gallison. He d. 

June 26, 1841. 

6. Henry Dearborn, b. Oct. 15, 1S03; d. at Washington, D. C, Oct. 16, 18S1, 

unm. For some years he was engaged on the genealogy of the family, and 
to his researches we are much indebted. 

7. Jonathan Ambrose, b. May 12, 1806; m. June 8, 1843, Nancy W. Hill. He 

d. at Washington, D. C, July 3, 1873. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 539 

8. James Madison, b, Sept. 19, 1S08 ; m. June 5, 1S50, Maacha T. Miller. lie d. at 

IJoston, Mass., March 26, 1SS3. 

9. .\manda M., b. May 15, 1S13; m. .\ug. 24, 1S37, Elihu R. Averhill, and res. at 

Dover, Me. 

SECOND BRANCH. 

I. Theodore Cashing, ne.xt younger brother to Caleb, (i) 
was b. March 9, 1780. His father fought at Lexington, 
served through the revolution, and was at West Point at 
the time of Arnold's defection, holding the position of 
brigade quartermaster. He went to Hopkinton, where 
he was engaged in a store, removing to Salisbury about 
1793. On his journey here he met Abigail, dau. of Dea. 
Samuel Jackman, whom he m. May 27, 1798. While a 
resident here he made the acquaintance of Daniel Web- 
ster, and t/ie first case Webster ever tried in open court 
was for him. While here he wrote a series of political 
articles for a federal newspaper at Concord, under the 
signature of the "Freewill Baptist Preacher," which were 
variously attributed to Esq. Bowers, the Rev. Mr. Wor- 
cester, and a lawyer at Concord. He also wrote a series 
of letters to young men, which appeared in a literary and 
religious magazine called the " New Star," then published 
at Concord. In 1806 he rem. to Thetford, Vt., where he 
followed his trade and farming till June, 1831, when he 
rem. to West Grace, near Rochester, N. Y., where he 
engaged in the manufacture of furniture and spinning 
wheels, and d. there Jan. 13, 1850. Of Mr. Cushing 
Daniel Webster said : " I knew him in Salisbury thirty- 
eight years ago, as one of the most honest and industri- 
ous men I ever knew." He possessed a most retentive 
memory and a confiding and truthful disposition. He 
was a member of the masonic fraternity, and became, 
Oct. 15, 1S47, a corresponding member of the "New 
ICngland Genealogical Society." 

2. Samuel was b. Jan. 21, 1799, '^"^^ ''^"^- ^^ Vermont with his 
parents, where he attended school. He learned the trade 



540 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

of a chairmaker with his father, and rem. to Monroe 
county, N. Y., in 1838, accompanied by his family. The 
year following he located at Crete, N. Y., where he d. 
Jan. 8, 1 88 1. He was universally respected for his kind- 
ness of heart and purity and uprightness of character. 
He was a deacon in the church, a noted anti-slavery ad- 
vocate, and assisted many a poor slave to freedom. He 
was once indicted for harboring slaves, but when the day 
of his trial came his accusers were not to be found. He 
m. (i) Rebecca Lee; m. (2) Elizabeth, dau. of Elias 
Stone, a revolutionary soldier. 

3. James Royal (Rev.) was b. Nov. 24, 1800, and rem. to 

Vermont with his parents. He entered Bangor Theolog- 
ical Seminary about 1823, completed his studies in 1825 
and immediately began to preach, laboring as city mis- 
sionary at Boston, Mass., and as pastor at Boxboro', 
Taunton, and East Haverhill, Mass., and at Wells, Me. 
He spent fifty years in the ministry and d. at Haverhill, 
■ April, 1880. He m. (i) Hannah Lawrence, of Woburn, 
Mass., by whom he had four children ; m. (2) Charity M. 
Daniels, of Boston, Mass., who d. in 1879. 

4. Ann, b. Nov. 2, 1S02 ; m. Dea. Enoch Foote. She res. at Haverhill, Mass. 

5. Nathaniel Sawyer, b. Dec. 7, 1804. In 1827 he rem. to Monroe co-unty, N. Y. 

He m. in 1830, Melissa Wright, of Ogden ; res. till 1837 at Brockport, then 
rem. to western Illinois, and in 1840 took up his residence in Chicago, 
where for thirty-five years he was a large wholesale paint and plaster dealer. 
He was twice married and res. at Lamboard, a suburb of Chicago. 
6. '[ Sarah J., b. at Thetford, Vt., Feb. 14, 1S07 ; d. Dec. 31, 1809. 

7. Emily Worrel, b. at Thetford, Vt., July g, iSoo; m. Rev. Samuel Porter, and 

res. at Crete, 111. 

8. Maria A., b. Feb. 11, 1S12; d. Sept. 3, 1S40. 

9. William Theodore was b. at Thetford, Vt., Jan. 28, 18 16, 

and rem. to western New York in 1830. He pursued 
his preparatory studies with S. B. Bradley, M. D., and 
entered a college located at Brockport, New York, which 
shortly afterwards became defunct in the financial crash 
of 1837. He spent the year 1840 at Chicago, then a 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 54I 

place of less than 5000 inhabitants, and in the fall of that 
year rem. to Rochester, N. Y., where he was engaged in 
mercantile pursuits for thirty-seven years. While a res- 
ident of that city he held the ofifice of school commis- 
sioner and was a member of the city council. In 1867 
he rem. to Chicago, and in 1877 to Atlantic City, Iowa. 
He m. in 1844 Lucian A. Grayer. 



THE DIMOND FAMILY. 

The ancestor of the Salisbury family bearing this name emi- 
grated to New England prior to 1640. 

I. John m. (i) Sally Emerson, the first person buried in the 
cemetery at Millville, (Concord) dying about 1797. He 
m. (2) Quig Stevens. Of his family by first wife was 
Samuel, b. July 29, 1791, who was reared on his fath- 
er's farm at Concord. He learned the cooper's trade, 
which he afterwards relinquished and engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits, having a store at West Concord. After 
gaining a competency he sold out, removing to the farm 
occupied by his descendant in 1836. He m. Aug. 14, 
1822, widow Susan (Dimond) Blanchard, of Concord-. 
He d. in 1856; she d. in 1878. 

4. George, b. Feb. 3, 1S23; rem. to Salisbury with his parents. In 1845 ^^ went 

to IJoston, Mass., and for many years conducted a large grocery store, relin- 
quishing which he returned to Salisbury. He m. June, 1858, Mary Chand- 
ler, who d. May 24, 1S6S. 

5. Ora, b. July 19, 1825, and rem. to California. 

6. John S., b. Feb. 25, 1827; m. Nov. 1853, Eliza Williams. 

7. Lucilla N., b. Jan. 25, 1830; m. William Hunt and res. at Wauseon, Ohio. 

8. Esther F., b. April 24, 1S32; m. Albert Morrison and res. at Boston, ^^ass. 

9. Reuben O., b. May 15, 1834; m. Mary E. Hoothby, deceased. He resides at 

Elmira, N. Y. 

10. Clara A., b. Dec. 10, 1835; d. Oct. 7, 1S39. 

11. William, b. in 1837; m. and res. at Newton, Mass. 

12. Mary S., b. in 1842; m. Charles Grcenleaf and res. at Wauseon, Ohio. 

13. Ellen, b. in 1S45; m. Fred. Horr and res. at Boston. 



542 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

THE DUNLAP FAMILY, 

I. Samuel, son of Archibald Dunlap, a native of the south 
of Ireland, (Scotch-Irish) emigrated to this country and mar- 
ried, in 1741, Martha, daughter of Joseph Neal. He settled on 
the home lot, No. 26, in Chester. (See History of Chester.) 
Their children were : 

2. Joseph, b. in 1742; m. Anna, dau. of Hugh Wilson, and settled at Goffstown. 
". James, b. in 1741^; ni. Dorcas Davis and had one son, John, who was b. in 

1794, d. in 1S67. 
4. John, b. in 1746; res'd at Bedford. 5. Mary. 

6. William, m. — Boyes, and rem. to Schenectady, N. V. 

7. Sarah. 8. Samuel. See. 

9. Martha. The father and the daughters d. of diphtheria. 

(8.) Samuel was b. in Chester and bound out to learn the 
carpenter's trade. On becoming of age he m. Nancy 
Cochran, and rem. to Henniker. While a resident in 
Chester he worked at his trade in Concord, assisting 
in building the steeple of the first church erected in that 
town, which was built in 1783. When his son Samuel 
was fourteen years old (1797) he rem. to Salisbury, and 
purchased the Elkins property, now owned by John Col- 
by, where he d. Aug. 2, 1830. She d. July 17, 18 19, at 
the age of 61. Dec. 30, 1806, he bought one-half of the 
sawmill of David Pettengill, on the site of the present 
Prince mill, and on March 10 following he bought the 
other half of Capt. William Pingrey. He probably put 
in a gristmill, as April 13, 18 11, he sold to his sons, John 
and James, "the saw and gristmills." In 1826 the for- 
mer bought out the interest of James in both mills. 

10 Sarah, b. March lo, 17S1 ; m. Gideon Currier and rem. to West Newbury, 
Mass.; deceased. 

11. Joseph, b. June 9, 1782 ; d. Oct. 183S, unm. 

12. Samuel, b. Dec. 15, 1783. See. 13. John, b. Dec. 178^.^' ' 

T4 Tames D., b. Oct. 12, 1787; m. Eleanor Morrill, of Salisbury; she d. June 7, 
1S65. He operated the mill from iSii to 1826, res'd on the homestead, and 
d. Aug. 13, 1875. ^^ ^^^^ °'^^ daughter, Eunice G., b. Dec. S, 1S20, who 
m. Feb. 9, 1845, John Colby, which see. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 543 

15. William D., b. April 2, (?) 17S9; m. Amelia Ilunnificld, of Northfield, and 

rem. to Danbury. 

16. Mary, b. Jan. 7, 1791 ; m. Hugh Moore, father of James Moore, a hardware 

merchant at Concord. 

17. Thomas, b. April 18, 1792; d. Oct. 8, 1S23, unm. 

18. David, b. April 2, 1794. See. 

19. Nancy, b. April 5, 1796; m. Dec. 25, 1S17, Amos George and d. at West 

Xewbury, Mass. 

20. Thomas, b. .\pril 3, 1798; d. unm. 

21. Daniel, b. Feb. 16, 1800; m. I'hebe Chandler and rem. to Concord. He d. 

Aug. 7, 1S75. 

22. Joel, b. Feb. i, 1S06; d. unm. 

(12.) Samuel moved the John Shaw house (1883) to its present 
location, from the top of the small hill east of Mrs. Cyrus 
Gookin's, and built a small gristmill on the site of the 
present John Shaw mill, making extensive repairs on the 
dam. He sold out the gristmill to the Gookins, (which 
see) in 1834, removing ta Andover, Me., where he d. 
Jan. 10, 1853. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, 
and much of his furniture is still in use and as sound as 
the day it left the shop. He m. Nov. 1806, Sarah 
Pingrey, who d. May 12, 1877. 

23. Benjamin F., b. May 4, 180S, and res. at Falmouth, Me. 

24. Harriet N., b. Aug. 20. 1809; m. — Philbrick and res. at .Andover, Me. 

25. Phebe, b. April 21, 181 1 ; d. Sept. 17, 1837, unm. 

26. Maria, b. April 7, 1813; m. — Lovejoy. 

27. Morrill, b. Jan. 24, 1815; m. July 4, 1S47, Cynthia 1!. Sanborn, of Franklin; 

res. at Concord. 

28. Louisa E., b. Jan. 29, 1S17 ; m. — Grover and res. at Rumford, -Me. 

29. Mary C, b. Aug. 24, 1819; m. — Grover. 

30. Emeline, J., b. Feb. 5, 1824, and res. at Concord. 

31. Mary P., b. March i, 1826; m. John Perkins, of Nfarblehead, Mass. 

32. Sarah C, b. June 3, 1S31 ; m. — Richardson ; she d. at Concord, Jan. 1877. 

(13.) John, m. in 1812 Elizabeth Carter, of Canterbury; she 
d. May 8, 1853. After his marriage he built the Frank 
Prince house, and carried on the saw and gristmill with 
his brother James. The gristmill was located in the 
south end of the D. S. Prince mill. He d. Sept. 19, 1838. 

^y David C, b. May 9, 1S13; m. Nov. i, 1S36, Ro.\ana Pingrey; he d. Sept. 

16, 1S3S. 
34. John D., b. Oct. 23, 1815. See. 



544 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

35. Eliza J., b. Oct. 5, 1817, d. Sept. 26, 1839, 

36. Mary A., b. May 16, 1820; m. (i) April 13, 1S41, Samuel Heath. He. d. March 

26, 1847, by falling from the scaffold of the Frank Prince barn. She m. (2) 
Edwin Scribner; she d. Feb. 7, 1859. 

(34.) John Bartlett m. Nov. 12, 1839, widow Ruth M. (Pin- 
grey) Foster, and remains on the Pingrey farm. Their 
children were : 

37. William B. was b. Oct. 3, 1840; m. Feb. 21, 1866, Kate 

Woods, of Mattoon, 111. The Mattoon Commercial of 
Jan. 1883, in speaking of the annual meeting of the First 
National Bank in that city, and the election of Mr. Dun- 
lap as its President, says : " For the past twenty years 
Mr. Dunlap has been connected with the banks of this 
city, and during the past four years has virtually dis- 
charged the duties of President and Cashier of the First 
National Bank, during which time the surplus and undi- 
vided profit has been increased from $15,000 to $35,000. 
Mr. Dunlap justly merits the honor conferred and con- 
fidence reposed in his financial ability and discretion." 

38. Alpheus P., b. July 21, 1S43; he m. March 11, 1869, Mary M. Kenniston, of 

Andover, where she was b. May 20, 1S43. Their children were : i. Mary 
K., b. May 30, 1870. 11. Walter E. K., b. Oct. 4, 1873. "i- William B., 
b. Feb. 7, 1875. IV. George A., b. May i, 1879. 

(18.) David early rem. to Schenectady, N. Y., where he was 
taught the saddler's trade under his uncle William, (16) ; 
rem. to Newburyport, Mass., where he m. Feb. 4, 1824, 
Fanny, dau. of Abel and Bridgett (Smith) Bartlett, who 
was b. at Newburyport Jan. 15, 1801, and d. Sept. 24, 
1829; he d. there in Nov. 1829. 

39. Joseph D., b. Sept. i, 1S25; res. at Westfield, Mass. 

40. William, b. Aug. 23, 1826. See. 

41. Henry S., b. in Feb. 1828; m. Ruth E. Thompson and res. at Concord. 

(40.) William was b. at Newburyport and after the death of 
his father came to Salisbury, to live with his uncle James, 
with whom he remained sixteen years, having school 
advantages and learning the mill business. He m. May 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 545 

22, 185 1, (i) Amelia T. Severance, and rem. to Concord, 
where she d. March 31, 1855. Returning to Salisbury 
in 1856 he m. (2) May 2, 1858, Ellen C, dau. of Richard 
Fellows, which see. Commencing trade Jan. i, 1857, in 
company with Cyrus Gookin, he continued seventeen 
years. After the death of Mr. Gookin he purchased of 
the heirs and has since continued, to the satisfaction of 
the public generally. He has been postmaster at that 
part of the town since its establishment. 

42. Frank H., b. Jan. 8, iS6o; m. March 25, 1884, Carrie L. Prince. 

43. Willie G., b. Dec. 23, 1863. 44. Fred. A., b. Nov. 20, 1872. 



THE EASTMAN FAMILY. 

The ancestor was Roger Eastman, born in Wales, in 1611. 
He emigrated to America in the ship "Confidence," in 1638, 
and settled at Salisbury, Mass, in 1640. 

I. 

Edward, accompanied with his small family, removed to Salis- 
bury from Kingston, in 1765-66. Another record says 
he did not remove here until 1774. He settled on the 
west side of Smith's hill, where he cleared up a large 
farm and erected the buildings now occupied by Titus 
H, Wardsworth. In addition to farming he did much 
coopering. He was a prominent man in the town, served 
with distinction in the revolutionary war, and was one 
of the committee of safety. He d. April 12, 18 14, aged 
82; m. May 6, 1758, Anna Judkins; shed. March 24, 
18 1 7, aged JT. 

2. Benjamin, b. June 19, 1759. See. 3. Joel, b. Nov. 23, 1760. See. 

4. Hannah, b. Feb. 12, 1764; m. Dec. 29, 17S5, William Calef, which see. She 

d. April 13, 1823. 

5. Phineas, b. June 20, 1766. 

6. Mchitablc, b. June 20, 1768; m. April 26, 1794, William iloyt, (see mer. 

chants) ; d. without issue. 

35 



546 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

7. Moses, b. Aug. II, 1770. See. 8. Nancy, b. Aug. 5, 1772 ; d. April 2, 1814, unm. 
9. Abigail, b. March 5, 1775; ^- unrn., aged So. 

10. Samuel, b. April 4, 1780; when a young man he went west, m. and d. without 

issue. 

- TQ 

(^2.) Benjamin (Ensign) entered the revolutionary army at the 
age of sixteen and was appointed Ensign in the militia. 
He built a two-story house at Shaw's Corner. In addi- 
tion to farming he engaged in shoemaking. He d. April 
28, 1814; m. March 23, 1788, Dolly, dau. of Daniel 
Bean. She was b. at Orford and d. January 13, 1853, 
aged 85. 

11. Edward, b. Sept. 12, 1788; m. in 1811 Susan Cheney of Bristol ; he d. April 

5, 1880. 

12. John,'_b. Jan. 13, 1791 ; d. Aug. 18, 1803. 

13. Betsey, b. May 7, 1793; ™- April 1824, David Bean, of Northfield ; d. April, 

1856. 

14. Nabby, b. April 21, 1795; d. Aug 20, 1S03. . 

15. Phebia, b. Oct. 21, 1797; d. Aug. 19, 1803. 

16. Moses, b. Nov. 2, 1799; m. April 22, 1826, Irena Wells, of Salisbury; resides 

at Danbury. 

17. Daniel B., b. March 26, 1S02 ; m. Feb. 1827, Cynthia Whitcher, of Northfield. 

He d. in 1854; she died at Buda, 111., May 5, 1S82. 

18. Abby, b. Jan. 25, 1805; m. 1822 Moses Sweatt, of Andover; she d. Jan. 11, 1837. 
ig.; . John T , b. Oct. 1808; m. May 29, 1830, Betsey Chandler, of Danbury. He 

d. in November, 1879. 

20. Benjamin F., b. July, 181 1 ; m. Sarah Leavitt, of Northfield. He d. July, 1878. 

21. Nancy, b. Oct. 1813; d. May, 1814. 

(3.) Joel, m. Betsey, dau. of Capt. David Pettengill. On her 
marriage her father presented her with the farm on 
which they resided. Mr. Eastman built a large set of 
buildings, which were destroyed by fire in the winter of 
1882. He was one of our most wealthy farmers and a 
prominent citizen, enjoying the good will and respect of 
his townsmen, and all who knew him bear testimony to 
his uprightness of character. For more than forty years 
he was a member of the Congregational church. He d. 
May 23, 1849, aged 89; she d. Sept. 30, 1867, aged 105 
yrs., 5 mos., 11 days. (For a sketch of this interesting 
and remarkable woman see Capt. David Pettengill's 
genealogy.) 




JOEL EASTMAN. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 547 

22. Sally, b. April 20, 17S6; m. June 12. 1813, Dr. Elijah Rowell, of Clarkston, 

N. Y. She d. Aug. r, 1852. 

23. Pettengill, b. Dec. 9, 1788; d. Dec. 10, 1788. 

24. Pettengill, b. Nov. 18, 1789; d. Jan. 25, 1790. 

25. Betsey, b. Dec. 12, 1790; d. in 1806. 

26. Mehitable, b. Sept. 25, 1793; •"■ ^^c- 10. 1817, Moses Fellows; she d. June 

7, 1836. 

27. Nancy, b. Feb. 8, 1796; m. Dec. 25, 1822, Enoch Couch; she d. Sept. 26, 1828. 

28. Joel, (Hon.) b. Feb. 22, 1798. He fitted for college at 

Salisbury Academy, under the tuition of Henry Fitts, 
entered Dartmouth College in his twentieth year, and 
graduated in 1824, with the second rank in the class of 
twenty-eight. The following obituary notice and accom- 
panying resolutions are here appended, as evidence of 
the high estimation in which he was held by his fellow- 
citizens : 

Hon. Joel Eastman, a distinguished jurist and an eminent public man, died 
on Sunday, March i6, 1S84, at Conway, N. II. He was born in Salisbury, that 
state, Feb. 22, 179S, and was a son of Joel and Betsey ( Pettengill ) Eastman. The 
mother died Sept. 30, 1S67, at the age of 105 years, 9 months, retaining her faculties 
to a remarkable degree until a short time before her decease. The son fitted for 
college at the Salisbury Academy, and was graduated from Dartmouth in 1S24. 
His class numbered twenty-eight, of whom four are living. Among his classmates 
were Hon. Benjamin Bonney, LL. D., of New York, a former trustee of the college, 
Hon. Oliver P. Chandler, a lawyer of Vermont, Hon. Charles H. Peaslee, a lawyer 
of Concord and Representative to Congress, and Abel Underwood, Judge of the 
Circuit Court of Vermont. After graduation the subject of this sketch read law 
with Hon. Samuel I. Wells, at .Salisbury, and Hon. William C. Thompson, of Ply- 
mouth, and having been admitted to the bar in August, 1S27, he located himself at 
Conway, which was afterward his home. The same ability and studious habits 
which caused him to rank second in his class at Dartmouth soon gave him success, 
and, before many years, an eminent rank as a lawyer, not only in his county but in 
his state. In politics he was a pronounced Whig, and on the stump he was a clear, 
eloquent and persuasive speaker. He early mingled in civil affairs, and in 1S36 
was elected member of the Legislature. The same honor was conferred upon him 
in 1S37, 1S3S, 1853, 1854 and 1855. The latter year his colleague from Conway was 
Hon. Francis R. Chase, the Democratic Speaker of the House. In 183S he was a 
Whig candidate for Congress, but was unsuccessful, as the Democrats were in pow- 
er. In 1S39 he was a delegate to the Ilarrisburg National Convention, which nom- 
inated General Harrison for President, and after his return home he took the stump 
for the ticket and did splendid service. He was appointed United States District 
Attorney for New Hampshire in iS4i,and held that othce until the Polk adminis- 
tration, when he was succeeded by Hon. Franklin Pierce. He was made Judge of 



548 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Probate for Carroll County in 1S56, and held the office until constitutionally dis- 
qualified by age in 1S6S. In 1861 he was a candidate for the Republican nomina- 
tion to Congress, but Hon. Oilman Marston, of Exeter, was nominated and elected, 
the friends of Judge Eastman claiming that he would have been nominated had not 
a severe storm prevented a considerable number of his delegates from reaching 
Dover in season to participate in the convention. In 1863 he was nominated for 
Congress but was defeated by Hon. Daniel Marcy, Democrat, of Portsmouth, by 
a plurality of 80. It was no secret that Judge Eastman's failure to be sent to Con- 
gress was the bitterest disappointment he had ever received, and he never became 
fully reconciled to it. In 1868 he was President of the New Hampshire Electoral 
College. Judge Eastman was a man not only of a vigorous mental but physical 
constitution, and at the age of 85 he had not fully retired from the active duties of 
his profession. He was fortunate in financial matters and had a beautiful home, 
where he always extended a most generous hospitality. He married, Dec, 1832, 
Miss Ruth G. Odell, daughter of the Hon. Richard Odell, of Conway, who was 
insane for many years, but was most affectionately cared for until death by her hus- 
band in their own home. She died April 8, 1S80; he died March 16, 1S84. 

At a meeting of the Carroll County Bar Association, at the Court House in 
Ossipee, on the 15th day of April, 1884, the following resolutions were passed in 
relation to the death of Hon. Joel Eastman : 

Resolved, That in the recent death of the Hon. Joel Eastman, we recognize the 
loss of an esteemed brother and worthy man. One whose great longevity was made 
honorable by his integrity, ability, unblemished character, successful professional 
practice, and by his usefulness in all the varied relations of life. 

Resolved, That Brother L. D. Sawyer present the above resolution to the Court 
with the request that it be entered on the records of Court, and that the clerk be 
directed to send a copy of the same to Joel Eastman Morrill, of Conway, the nephew 
and adopted son; and also to Oilbert Eastman, the surviving brother of the de- 
ceased. 

Seldom does any man pass away to whose memory a more truthful and earnest 
tribute can justly be paid. 

29. Lucia, b. Aug. 3, 1800; m. Jan. 14, 1839, Moses Fellows; she d. Dec. 8, 1872. 

30. Gilbert, b. July 5, 1S02. See. 

31. Marcia, b. Sept. 15, 1S04; m. Jan. 23, 1826, John E. Forrest, of Northfield, 

where she d. Dec. 2, 1871. 

32. Betsey, b. Oct. 27, 1808; m. Jan. 12, 1832, Dr. Robert Morrill, of Canterbury. 

( 5.) Phineas remained on the homestead, removing thence to Raccoon hill, where 
he d. Feb. 19, 1847 ; m. Judith Gale, of Concord, who d. P^eb. 16, 1855. 

33. Susan, b. — ; m. — Shaw, and resided at New Boston. 

34. Samuel, b. — ; d. unm. 

35. Mehitable, b. — ; m. and became a noted writer. 

36. Sally, b. — ; m. James Jackman. 37. Edward, b. — ; d. aged 17. 

38. Charlotte, b. — ; m. — Houston and resided at Hanover. 

39. Sophia, b. — ; m. — Eastman. 40. Edward, resided in N. Y. 

(7.) Moses, Esq., (see lawyers); m. (i) Oct. 12, 1800, Sukey, dau. of Dr. Joseph 
and Hannah (Colcord) Bartlett; she d. Nov. 6, 1S06 ; m. (2) Dec. 10, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 549 

iSo7, Eliza Sweetser, of Charlestown, Mass. ; she d. at Baltimore, Md., 
July 5, 1855. Children all born in Salisbury. 

41. Joseph Bartlett, A. M., b. Feb. 4, 1804. He graduated at 

Dartmouth College in 1821, read law with his father, 
then took up the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. 
Peter Bartlett, completed his studies, and was in practice 
until 1 83 1, at Waterford, Me. He taught school at Sal- 
isbury and Concord until 1835, when he began the study 
of divinity at the Andover Theological Seminary, in the 
class of 1837. He was licensed to preach by the Addison 
Association of Vermont, and is said to have been or- 
dained a Presbyterian minister by the Troy Presbytery, 
N. Y., in 1844. His ministry was spent at Sherburne, 
Vt., Caldwell, Sandy Hill, Ticonderoga, Greenfield, 
Princeton and Windsor, N. Y., where he d. Dec. 31, 
1864. He m. Aug. 14, 1837, Mary, dau. of John Huse, 
of Hill. His children were: 

1. Harriet II. E., b. at Hurlington, Vt., May 3, 1S38; m. Joseph W. Brown. 

II. Mary E., b. at same place, April 24, 1S40; m. G. M. T. Johnson. 

III. William, b. at Caldwell, N. Y., and d. — . iv. Charles F., b. at Cald- 
well, Aug. I, 1S44 ; graduated at Amherst College in 1S69, studied at Leip- 
sic University and resided at Easton, Md. v. Joseph II., b. at Sandy Hill- 
N. Y., Feb. 23, 1847 ; deceased, vi. John H. E., born at Sandy Hill, Aug. 
23, 1849; graduated at Amherst College and taught Greek and Latin three 
years; studied at Union Theological Seminary, graduated in 1S75 and was 
pastor at Katonah, N. Y. vil. George E., d. young. 

42. Elbridge G., b. — ; graduated at West Point Military School and was a highly 

respected officer in the regular army; d. at Fort Gibson, Ark., 1S37, unm. 

43. Elizabeth R., b. — ; m. June 14, 184S, I'^lbridge F. Greenough. (See.) 

44. William S., b. — ; a merchant at Baltimore, Md., and d. in 1S3S, unm. 

45. Charles J. F., b. — ; m. and was a merchant for forty years at Boston ; d. 1S71. 

46. Susan B., b. — ; m. Sept. 30, 1S39, G. Bassett ; d. at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1S47. 
47 Samuel J., b. — ; died in 1S16. 

4S. Ichabod B., b. — ; m. and was a merchant at Baltimore, Md ; d. 1877, unm. 

49. Sarah B., b. — ; m. C. Coleman, of Buffalo, N. Y. He d. in 1S63. 

50. Moses J., b. — ; d. in 182 1. 

51. Rebecca F., b. — ; m. C. M. Fellows, a merchant at Boston, Mass., where he 

d. in 1S78. 

52. Francis H., — ; a fur dealer; d. at Bismarck, Dakota, in 1877. 

53. Alfred R., b. — ; drowned in a pond in Hill, in 1842. 

(30.) Gin)ert, m. June 23, 1S29, .Xbigail, dau. of Maj. Jabez Sn.ith ; remained on 
the homestead a few years, thence to Smith's hill, afterwards returning to 



550 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

South road, where she d. Jan. 3, 18S1, aged So. She was a most exem. 
plary woman, possessing a fine memory, and through her long life was a 
great worker. 

54. Francis M., b. in 1832; d. April 28, 1S3S. 

55. Gilbert B., b. Feb. 12, 1842 ; m. May 6, 1S60, Roxana Frazier. He d. Dec. 18, 

1881. Children: i. Abby F., b. June i, 1S61. 11. Joeline A., b. Nov. 9, 

1863; d. Feb. 18, 1S85. III. Joel, b. April 12, 1S66. iv. Charlie S., b. 

Feb. I, 1S71. V. Christiana E., b. July 5, 1S73. ^^- Jennie B., b. March 
31, 1876. 

II. 

Colonel John Eastman, a relative of the above family, was b. 
Feb. 25, 1741 ; m. Joannah French; rem. from Kingston 
to Salisbury, where he d. Sept. 14, 1804. Nothing more 
is known of the family. 

III. 

William Eastman came to Salisbury from Kingston ; he may 
have been the son of Samuel, who resided at Kingston. 
Mr. Eastman settled west of Centre road previous to 
1776. Little is known of his family, of which there were 
many members. He m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Bean. (?) 
She d. — ; he m. (2) Jane Knight ; Merriam was one of 
the family ; a dau. m. Enoch Elliott ; another m. Joseph 
Elliott, and tradition says one m. Robert Barber. 

IV. 

Ebenezer Eastman descended from the original ancestor, Rog- 
er, (i) through Philip, (2). He was b. Dec. 20, 1644; 
m. Aug. 22, 1675, widow Mary Barnard Morse; he had 
Ebenezer, (3) b. Feb. 17, 168 1, who m. March 4, 17 10, 
Sarah Peasley. He was known as Capt. Ebenezer, and 
was one of the first petitioners for the territory now 
embraced in Concord. He was one of the most enter- 
prising, useful and wealthy proprietors. Of his children 
was Moses, (4) b. Jan. 17, 1723, who m. in 1750 Eliza- 
beth Kimball, by whom he had — 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 55 I 

56. Ebenezer, (5) b. at Concord, Oct. 19, 1765; m. Esther 

Farnum, (?) ; rem, to Salisbury and paid his first tax in 
1797. For a time leased the Capt. John Webster mill 
on Chance pond brook, in what is now Franklin, after- 
wards purchasing the mill and other buildings and three 
hundred acres of land of Bailey Bartlett, of Haverhill, 
Mass., for $775.00, the deed bearing date of August 27, 
1803. He was a man of extraordinary business capacity, 
upright, honest and interested in every good work. The 
land upon which the Congregational church at Franklin 
stands was a gift from him to the society, as was also 
the school lot, "given for educational purposes." Uncle 
Ebenezer, as he was familiarly called, was always ready 
to do what he could for every moral and religious enter- 
prise, and was the prime mover in getting the town of 
Franklin incorporated. The falls above the bridge on 
the Pemigewasset river were named in his honor, though 
people still call them for the person for whom they were 
first named, Capt. John Webster. He built a tavern on 
the site of the Webster House. He d. in the Nathaniel 
French house, April 16, 1833, aged 6^. After his death 
his widow built the Rev. A. H. Martin house, where she 
d. Oct. I, 1854, aged 82. The gravestone says his wife 
was Esther Lyford. 

57. Judith, b. — ; m. Dec. 31, 1S15, Caleb Morrill, of Plymouth; lo children. 

58. Charlotte, b. Apr. 19, 1798; m. May 2i, 1823, Dudley Ladd. (See.) She d. 

Jan 30, 1826. 

59. Franklin, b. — ; m. Mary Morrison; 2 children. 

60. Mary A., b. Feb. 8, 1S09; m. Dr. John L. Perley and resided at I.aconia. She 

d. June 12, 1834. 



THE EATON FAMILY. 

COMPILED BY MRS. ABBIE S. BROWN. 



I. Captain Samuel Eaton was born in Plaistow, Dec. 30, 
1756; married Oct. 10, 1780, Lydia Ladd, who was born in 



552 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Kingston, Jan. 4, 1759. He was a descendant of the fourth 
generation from Deacon Enoch Eaton, who came from England 
in 1660. She died in Salisbury, March 29, 1839; he lived on 
the farm now owned by T. Rowleigh, and died March 7, 1826. 

2. Hannah, b. May 14, 17S1 ; m. March 10, 1803, Moses Greeley; she d. August 

8, 1833- 

3. Lydia, b. April 25, 1783 ; m. March 4, 1S05, Peter Fifield ; she d. June 9, 18S0. 

4. Sarah, b. Jan. 7, 1785; m. Dec. 22, 1814, Capt. Silas Call, of Boscawen. She 

d. July 12, 1S36. 

5. Samuel, b. Feb. 19, 1787; d. Aug. 11, 1792. 

6. Mehitable, b. May 2, 1789, m. March 30, 1813, Caleb Smith. (See.) She 

d. June 6, 1864. 

7. Abigail, b. Sept. 2, 1791 ; m'. Dec. 24, 1815, Joseph Huntoon, of Andover. She 

d. Dec. 4, 1S25. 

8. Samuel, b Dec. 7, 1793; d. April 11, 180S. 

9. John, b. March 29, 1^96; d. Sept. 22, 1797. 10. John L., b. July 27, 1798. See. 

11. Lucy, b. Aug. 5, 1800; m. (i) June 25, 1822, William Jackman, of Enfield; he 

d. July 2, 1832; m. (2) Feb. 14, 1835, Alstead Brownell. She d. April 
29, 1872. 

12. Jesse, b. May 13, 1803. See. 

(10.) John L. m. (i) May 22, 1825, Mary Morgan, of Plain- 
field; she d. April 20, 1834; m. (2) March, [837, Lovey 
Bickford, of Me. She resided at Princeton, 111. He 
lived in the house on the farm now owned by William 
Holmes ; buildings removed. He moved to Princeton, 
III, was a successful farmer, and d. Sept. 7, 1870. 

Children of Mary: 13. Mary Ann, b. April 17, 1S26; m. Nov. 15, 1849, ^^^v. Ira 
Case ; resided at North Scituate, R. I. 

14. Betsey, b. in July, 182S; d. July iS, 1834. 

15. Andrew J., b. in Oct. 1830; d. July 20, 1834. 

Children of Lovey: 

16. Andrew J., b. in 183S. He was a successful farmer and res. at Princeton, 111. 
I 7. Sarah E., b. in 1840 ; m. D. K. Warren, a dealer in lumber, also state senator. 

resides at Astoria, Oregon. 

18. Truman, b. in 1843; ^ dealer in lumber and resides at Astoria, Oregon. 

19. Lewis M., b. in 1845; former residence at Princeton, 111. 

( 12.) Jesse m. June 10, 1832, Susan H. Rogers, of Lempster; she d. Feb. 22, 1872 ; 
he lived on the homestead and d. Aug. 20, 1S61. 

20. Samuel, b. May 5, 1833. See. 21. Mary R., b. Oct. 17, 1834; d. July 4, i860. 
22. Ella H., b. Feb. 26, 1846; m. Nov. 1872, W. A. Brown; res. at Manchester. 

( 20.) Samuel, m. (i) Dec. 10, 1857, Sarah J. Wormin, of Wheeling, Va. She d. 
Sept. 20, 1858; m. (2) Oct. IX, i860, Adello Fisher, of Princeton, 111. He 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 553 

is a merchant and resides at Chicago, III. Of six children three are now 
living: Jesse, b. Nov. 27, 1S65; resides at Chicago. Annie L., b. Dec. 
12, 1867. Mary, b. April i, 1870. 



THE EVANS FAMILY. 

Edward Evans was born in the city of Sligo, Ireland, of Irish 
ancestry. His family were protestants, very respectable and in 
good circumstances, giving Edward a good school education. 
He was of medium height, spare built, active and sprightly in 
his movements, possessing the Scotch complexion and was very 
good looking. He was attracted to the new world by the emi- 
gration from Londonderry, Ireland, came over about 1760 and 
settled at Chester. He at once entered upon the pursuit of 
teaching, and was the only instructor for several years, teach- 
ing in the different neighborhoods portions of the year 1766. 
In 1769 married Sarah the fifth child of the distinguished par- 
son, Ebenezer (and Lucretia Keys) Flagg, of Chester, born 
July 8, 175 1. Mrs. Evans is remembered as being a woman of 
marked sweetness of disposition and amiability of character, 
well-favored, and with fine natural endowments. It is said Mr. 
Evans removed to Bow near the breaking out of the revolution- 
ary war, where he had his home till its close. He certainly 
resided at Chester from 1766 to 1773. The tax list of Salisbury 
for 1775 shows him to have been a resident here at that date. 
He was regarded as a very successful and popular teacher, gen- 
erally known as "Master Evans." His services were in great 
demand, especially where discijiline was necessary to success. 
He was at Bunker Hill, but not in season to participate in the 
fight. He served as secretary to Gen. Washington for a time, 
and in the same capacity for Gen. Sullivan, his education and 
especially his excellency in penmanship fitting him for such a 
position. On the recommendation of Capt. Ebenezer Webster, 
and by favor of Gen. Sullivan, he was commissioned Adjutant 
of the second N. H. regiment of militia, Col. Stickney's. His 
commission, under date of July 18, 1777, was signed by Meshech 



554 HISTORY OF SALISAURY 

Weare, President, and E. Thompson, Secretary, At Benning- 
ton Mr. Evans held the highest position in Capt. Ebenezer 
Webster's company, and was engaged in the severest part of 
the battle. He was at Saratoga but did not participate in the 
battle. He also served in some of the campaigns in New York 
and New Jersey, in the performance of his duties as adjutant. 
Serving until the close of the war he was honorably discharged, 
and although entitled to a pension he declined to make appli- 
cation. On his return he bought the Buzzell farm, with con- 
tinental scrip, and built the house which was subsequently 
destroyed by fire. Master Evans took great pains in educating 
his children. They took their books into the field, where, after 
working awhile, they withdrew to the shade of a tree, where he 
taught them, writing on birch bark. Late in life he removed 
to that part of Andover now Franklin, settling on the river 
road near his son Josiah, where he died May 26, 18 18, aged 82. 
She died July 29, 1831, aged 79. 

2. Josiah, b. in Chester, 1770; m. Mary Wells; d. Feb. 7, 1847. He was a 

captain in the state militia and a large farmer. 

3. Richard, b. — ; m. Lois Sargent; res. at Plainfield and Hanover. 

4. Mary, b. — ; second wife of John Colby, Sen , of Andover, ( Franklin ) his first 

wife being Susannah, dau. of Capt. Ebenezer Webster. (See. ) 

5. Lucretia, b. — ; m. Samuel Dyer, of Andover. She d. at Methuen, Mass. 

6. Nancy, b. — ; m. Samuel Pillsbury, of Danbury. 

7. Ebenezer, b. 1775; m. Judith Wells; settled in Andover, now Franklin, where 

he d. Oct. 3, 1S2C. She d. 1813. Son Gilbert b. in Salisbury, Dec. 2, 
iSoS ; res. at Boston. 

8. Sally, b. — ; d. at Salisbury, aged 20, unm. 

9. Betsey, b. — ; m. Stephen Piper, of Sanbornton. She d. at Upper Gilmanton, 

now Belmont, Oct. 10, 1856. 

10. Susan, b. Oct 24, 1793; m. Nathaniel P. Morrison. She d. at North Cam- 

bridge, Mass. 

11. Gardner, b.— ; m. Lucy Danforth. He d. at- Hill, March 10, 1865, aged 74. 

12. Edward, b. May 15, 1795; m. Dec. 26, 1S22, Phebe Morrison. He died at 

Sanbornton, Sept. 14, 1872. 

13. John d. aged 29, unm. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 555 

THE FARNUM FAMILY. 

Ralph Farnum, the ancestor of the Salisbury family of this 
name, emigrated from Wales and settled at Andover, Mass., 
previous to 1650, in which year he married Elizabeth Holt, and 
had seven children. The si.\th son died at Andover, five sons 
of whom were among the earliest settlers of Pennacook, now 
Concord. The name has been variously spelled — Farnum, 
Farham and Farnham — the latter orthography being undoubt- 
edly correct, and is now adopted by many branches of the fam- 
ily, the signification of the name being "fern home," or "home 
of the ferns." This beautiful etymology should lead to the 
restoration of the original name — Farnham. 

I. John Farnum removed here from Concord, settled at the 
west part of the town, and d. in the house at the Corner 
west of Mr. Alpheus Huntoon's. He was a farmer and 
extensive land owner. He m. Aug. 16, 1798, Sarah 
Peters, or Philbrick. 

2. Betsey, m. — Savery, at Corinth, Vt. 3. William. See. 

4. Joseph, m. Sally Peters. 

5. Ebenezer. m. Dolly Tucker. (?) 6. Seaborn, d. in Vt. 7. Jacob. See. 
8. John, m. Sally Phillbrick, and died in Vt. 9. Hannah, m. John Fifield. 

10. Sarah, m. Nathan Tucker. 11. Benjamin, d. in Mass. 

(3.) William, remained on the farm for a time, and then removed to Hill; d. — ; 

m. Eliza Tucker. 

12. Moses. 13. Sebon. 14. Eliza. 15. Almon. 16. William. 

17. .*^amucl, d. unm. 18. Hannah, m. William Lampeer, of Warner. 

19. John, d. unm. 20. Kichard K., m. Mary Philbrick. dau. of John. 

21. James, m. Dorothy Morrill; d. in the army. 22. Joseph d. in VVilmot, unm. 

23. Daniel, m. April 22, 1S45, Mary E. Philbrick; d. .March 31, 1S72. 

24. Job W., m. Oct. 31, 1841, — Philbrick; d. in the army. She res. in Wilmot. 

25. .Sarah, d. young. 

26. Emelinc, m. ( i ) — Wakeham, of Topsfield, Mass. ; m. ( 2 ) William Eddy. 

27. Ebenezer, res. Wilmot. 28. Nancy, m. Elijah Keed, res. Unity. 

(7) Jacob remained on the farm ; d. — ; m. Nancy Tappan, of Corinth, Vt. 
29. Nancy, b. 1816; m. Stephen Heath. 30. Martha, b. 1S18, d. 1S24. 

31. Dorothy, b. Dec. 24, 1820; m. April 10, 1S43, Hiram French, of Salisbury; he 

d. — ; .she resided at Andover. 

32. Hiram P'arnum, son of Ebenezer, (4) m. Oct. 20, 1835, Betsey Philbrick; d. — 

33. Alonzo, b. .Aug. i, 1838; m. Martha Tilton, of Wilmot. Children: I. Oscar 



556 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

W., b. Oct. 1861. II. James F., b. July 23, 1864. in. Lizzie B., b. Oct. 
29, 1870. 
34. Mary R., b. Feb. 25, 1S46; m. Ira O. Heath, of Rumney. [The writer is not 
positive about this family, as he obtained the records orally.] 



THE FELLOWS FAMILY. 

I. Ebenezer Fellows married Dec. 171 8, Elizabeth — ; she 
died Nov. 8, 1764. They had children as follows: 

2. John, b. April 27, 1720. (See.) 3. Abigail, b. Nov. 6, 1721. 

4. Moses, b. Dec. 31, 1723. 5. Ebenezer, b. Aug. 19, 1727. 

6. Joseph, b. June 10, 1729; settled at New Britain, now Andover, in 1761. 

7. Benjamin, b. March 16, 1730. 8. Anne, b. March 15, 1733. 
9. Elizabeth, b. June 26, 1738. 

(2.) John removed to Salisbury with his family, from King- 
ston, in 1766, building a small house by the northeast 
corner of the road which went to the Fellows house, de- 
stroyed by fire in 1880. He was by trade a ship and 
house carpenter, being one of the first house carpenters 
in town. He d. in 1812, aged 92 ; m. (i) March 6, 1746, 
Elizabeth Blaisdell, of Kingston, who d. in Kingston in 
July, 1766; m. (2) widow Mary (Tucker) Kenniston. 
Children by first wife : 

ID. David, b. Oct. 6, 1746; m. (3) — Tucker; had a son John who m. Betsey 
Eaton, of Weare, where they resided. 

11. Adonijah, b. July 11, 1748. (See.) 

12. Hezekiah, b. Dec. 16, 1750; d. at Cambridge, Mass., unm. 

13. Ebenezer, b. July 9, 1753; served in the revolutionary war, and d. at Charles- 

town, Mass., unm. 

14. Moses, b. Aug. 9, 1755. ( See.) 

15. Sarah, b. Dec. 9, 1758; m. Benjamin Howard. ( See.) 

16. Betsey, b. March 9, 1762; d. unm. 

17. John, b. Feb. 7, 1764; m. Oct. 22, — , Prudence Stevens; lived and d. at 

Topsham, Vt. 

18. Hannah, b. June 17, 1766; m. William Terrill, of Deerfield, and settled at 

Canterbury. 
Children by second wife : 

19. Richard, b. Aug. 14, 1767. (See.) 20. Daniel, b. Feb. 12, 1769. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 557 

21. Isaiah, b. April 29, 1771 ; m. Sept. 1792, Betty Hudson Tucker. Children b. 

in Salisbury: i. Polly, b. Nov. 10, 1793. 11. Mehitable, b. March 6, 1795. 
III. Eliza C, b. April 28, 1797. iv. Isaiah, b. Feb. 27, 1799; d. March 23, 
1799. V. Isaiah, b. June 2, 1800. The family removed to .Stewartstown, 
where the old gentleman d. aged 94. 

22. Mehitable, b. June i, 1773; m. John Collins. 

23. Phebe, b. May 23, 1775; m. Joseph Collins; had four children who d. young. 

(11.) Adonijah, at the age of nineteen years, was given his 
time and removed to Deerfield, where his children were 
born. In 1796 he returned to the Col. Pressey farm, 
building the present house. He d. in 1821 ; m. (i) Eliz- 
abeth Rowell, of Kingston ; she d. April 6, 1797 ; m. (2) 
Jan. 4, 1798, widow Sally Clough, of Salisbury; m. (3) 
widow King, of Hopkinton. 

24. Danieh m. — French, a sea captain, who was shipwrecked and lost. 

25. Betsey, b. — ; d. young. 

26. Rhoda, m. John Stevens and settled at Corinth, Vt. 

27. Ebenezer settled southeast of his father; m. Oct. 15, 1797, Mercherba Stevens. 

After the births of their children he removed to Tunbridge, Vt., where he 
d. — Children: i. Rowell, b. Feb. 28, 1798, and d. unm. 11. Nancy, b. 
March 18, 1800; d. Nov. 24, 1804. iii. Sarah, b. July 23, 1802. iv. Isaac, 
b. Aug. 23, 1S04. 

(14.) Moses, in his twentieth year, fought at Bunker Hill, at 
which time a ball fired by the British cut off the cord to 
which his powder horn was suspended. With his last 
charge of powder and no ball he fired his ramrod with 
such precision as to kill one of the enemy. He served 
through the revolution, crossed the Delaware with Gen. 
Washington, endured the winter's hardships at Valley 
Forge, and at the battle of Falmouth captured a British 
officer. He built the large red house occupied by his 
grandson, Moses H., where he d. in Feb. 1846. He m. 
May 20, 1782, Sarah, dau. of Reuben Stevens, who was 
b. at Plaistow, Nov. 26, 1762, and d. in July, 1863, aged 
100 years and 8 months. On her one hundredth birth- 
day she gave a party to her large circle of friends, who 
were the oldest people in town. In her eighteenth year 
her parents removed to Springfield. She attributed her 



558 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



A 



long life to a good constitution, regular habits and early 
rising. She left 7 children, 63 grand-children, 131 great- 
grand-children, and I great-great -grand-child. 

29. Hezekiah, b. Dec. 22, 1782; d. June 16, 17S3. 

30. Hezekiah, b. June 18, 1784. (See.) 31. Moses, b. Jan. 26, 1786. (See.) 

32. Reuben, b. Oct. 12, 1787; m. and d. in Canterbury. 

33. Ebenezer, b. Jan. 21, 1790; m. Elizabeth Carr and removed to New York. 

34. James S., b. Nov. 7, 1791 ; m. Polly ( Mary ) Calef, resided at Webster and 

d. in Iowa. 

35. Sarah, b. Dec. 4, 1793; ^- Dec. 20, 180S, John Bowley, ( Burleigh.) 

36. Samuel, b. Nov. 28, 1795; m. Betsey Williams and d. in N. Y. 

37. Elizabeth, b. Sept. 14, 1797 ; m. John Tirrell and d. in N. Y. 

38. Polly, b. Feb. 8, 1800; m. May 9, 1820, David Call, of Webster, where she d. 

in Feb. 1863. 

39. Meele, b. April 3, 1802; m. Eliphalet Little. (See.) 

40. Adonijah, b. March 17, 1804; m. Polly Gerald, of Webster, and d. in N. Y. 

41. Pierce, b. July 3, 1807. ( See.) 

(19.) Richard settled on the old road to Boscawen, (Webster) 
southwest of his Brother Moses. While on his way to 
Boston with a load of goods he broke his back, maiming 
him for life, although he survived the accident fifteen 
years. He m. Rachel Scribner. 

42. Benjamin, b: March 22, 1790; d. at Derry. 43. John, b. July 11, 1793. 

44. Sarah, b. Nov. 8, 1794; m. Dec. 7, 1812, Moses Call. ( See.) 

45. David, b. July 11, 1796; d. Feb. 20, 1797. 

46. Margaret, b. Nov. 16, 1798; m. — and resided at Goffstown. 

47. David, b. Feb. 28, iSoo; m. June 4, 1823, Sophia Thurlow, of Newburyport, 

Mass., and resided at Boscawen. 



(20.) 



49. 



Daniel remained on the homestead, following his father's 
trade of a cabinet maker, and made all kinds of farming 
implements. He built the Fellows house in 181 8, which 
was destroyed by fire in 1880. For some years he car- 
ried on a brick yard, south of the Stephen Fellows place, 
and was a smart, energetic and respected citizen. He 
d. May 7, 1863, aged 94. He. m. Nov. 28, 1789, Susan 
Stevens, who was b. Nov. 28, 1769, and d. April 26, 
1864, aged 95. 

Mehitable, b. April 22, 1790; m. (i) Capt. Edward Berry, asea captain; m. (2) 
Aug. 10, 1S21, Benjamin Howard. See. 

Reuben, b. May 4, 1792; m. Hannah Heath, and d. in Michigan. It is tradi- 
tional that he was the strongest man in the state. He easily lifted up to 




.^.^^t^.^ 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 559 

his body the bell on the Congregational church, Lieut. Benjamin Petten- 
gill only raising it from the ground. He served in the war of 1812. 

50. Lydia, b. July 6, 1794; m. Moses Watson. See. 

51. Stevens, b. Sept. 28, 1796. See. 

52. John, b. Feb. 12, 1799; m. (i) Temperance \'ork, who d. in 1S32 ; m. (2) Lucy 

Robinson and resided April 15, 1804, at Cornish. lie d. — 

53. Richard, b. July 16, iSoi. 54. Sargent, b. Dec. 9, 1803; d. April 30, 1S04. 

55. Richard, b. April 6, 1S06. See. 

56. Susan, b. March 31, 1S09; m. Samuel Smith; she d. Jan. 6, 1S64. 

57. Daniel, b. Nov. 26, iSii; m. 1S36, Euphemia Greeley and res. in Michigan. 

He d. in Aug. 1SS7; she d. — 
58.5; Eliphalet, b. Jan. 8, 1S15; d. Feb. 21, 1816. 

(30.) Hezekiah obtained such school advantages as his native 
town afforded, and became one of the best scholars in 
the academy. In 1820, in company with his brother 
Moses, he removed to Corser hill, now in Webster, con- 
tinuing there till 1830. He was town clerk from 1817 
to 1855, when, in the sudden sweep made by the " Know 
Nothing" party, which had as quick decline as its rise 
was sudden, he failed of a re-election. He was a repre- 
sentative to the legislature, with Ezekiel Webster, in 
1810, 1824 and 1825. His word was as good as his note, 
his fellow-citizens trusted him implicitly, and he never 
betrayed their confidence. Although not a member of 
the church, he was a constant attendant at worship and 
did much for the gospel ; and when the Congregational 
church was erected on Corser hill, in 1823, he presented 
the society with a pulpit bible. He was kind, genial 
and unreserved in his ways. He d. Oct. 10, 1861 ; m. 
Dec. 13, 1806, Parmela F. Center; she d. — . Children 
born in Salisbury : 

59. Salome, b. July 26. 1807 ; d. Jan 23, 1823. 

60. A son, b. July 11, 1809; d. Sept. 30, 1S09. 

61. Catherine, b. Sept. 30, iSio; d. March S, 1S13. 

62. Kbenczcr S., b. in 1813; d. Oct. 21, 1S29. 

63. John, b. Oct. 7, 181 5. He graduated at Dartmouth Col- 

lege in 1838, read medicine and practiced for a time at 
Loudon, where he m. Leonora Hosmer, of Hoscawen. 
He subsequently removed to Concord, where he contin- 
ued in practice, and d. in 1873. 



560 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

64. Moses, b. March 11, 1S18; d. July 14, 1819. 
Children of Ilezekiah (30) born in Boscawen : 

65. Catherine A., b. May 6, 1820; m. Feb. 23, 1837, Horace Gleason, of Boston. 

66. Lucy S., b. May 27, 1822 ; d. Oct. 4, 1846. 

67. George R., b. April 19, 1824; m. Fanny B. Wheeler; he d. Dec. 13, 1862. 

68. Salome, b. Aug. 25, 1827 ; m. D. A. McCurdy. 

{31.) Capt. Moses — see his brother, (30) — learned the trade 
of a carpenter and joiner. He resided in the Rev. Ed- 
ward Boxton house, Corser hill. While his brother held 
the office of town clerk, the townsmen of Moses had 
equal confidence in his ability as selectman, which posi- 
tion he held from 1825 for eleven years, and also served 
as representative in the legislature in 1832-35. He was 
energetic in business and brought the same fidelity to 
the discharge of his public duties that he gave to his 
private affairs. In 1840 Mr. Fellows removed to the Joel 
Eastman house, destroyed by fire in 1882, where he d. 
in 1864. He m. (i) Feb. 8, 1813, Miriam Bean, who d. 
July 2, 1814; m. (2) Dec. 10, 1817, Mehitable Eastman, 
who d. — ; m. (3) her sister, Lucia Eastman, who d. 
March 20, 1864. 

69. Miriam, b. — ; m. Hiram Gage. 70. Caroline, m. F. W. Gile. 

71. Charles W., m. Rebecca Eastman, of Salisbury. He was a merchant at Boston. 

(41.) Pierce remained on the farm and d. in 1862. He m. 
Oct. 2, 1 83 1, Polly Saunders, who was b. at Grafton 
Dec. 13, 18 10, and d. May 31; 1881. 

72. Elizabeth, b. June 17, 1S32; m. Aug. 2, 18S2, William Duckworth, and res. at 

Pennacook. 

73. Samuel P., b. March 27, 1834; d. in Aug. 1843. 

74. James B., b. Aug. 29, 1S37 ; d. in July, 1850. 

75. Sarah, b. March 2, 1S40; m. James T. Minard and res. at Andover; she d. 

76. Frank J., b. April 27, 1843; ^- — ^^^ ''^^' ^' Boulder, Colorado. 

77. George W., b. May 28, 1846. 78. Moses H., b. June 21, 1850. 
79. John P., b. Nov. 27, 1854; d. April 2, 1S67. 

(51.) Stevens built the house near that of his uncle Moses, 
continuing there until the latter years of his life, when 
he went to Henniker, remaining with his son {81) where 
he. d. Nov. 9, 1880. Mr. Fellows was an extensive 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 56I 

reader, possessing a remarkable memory, and was well 
versed in political and historical facts. In politics he 
was an uncompromising Democrat, and although ten- 
dered town offices he declined. By honest dealing and 
hard labor he gained a competence, and preferred to suf- 
fer rather than do wrong. As he was about to leave his 
old home he turned, raised his hat, and delivered the 
following : 

Dear old house, I leave you at last, 
Fifty years with you I have passed; 
My children raised and filled my purse, 
Now must I leave you for better or worse. 

He m. Oct. 19, 18 18, Mrs. Miriam Dow, dau. of John 
Tewksbury, of Sandwich, who d. Oct. 18, 1871, aged 74. 

80. Susan H., b. Dec. 8, 1819; m. (i) Oct. 25, 1837, Caleb Eastman; m. (2) Lewis 

C. Hardy, and res. at Prescott, Wis. 
Si. James, b. Sept. 12, 1821. .See. 

82. Betsey, b. Feb. 10, 182S; m. George Scribner, of Salisbury, and resides at 

Chandler, Wis. 

(55.) Richard remained on the homestead until its destruc- 
tion. He was a man strictly honest in his dealings and 
much respected by his townspeople. He d. July 8, 
1881 ; m. Feb. 22, 1832, Alice H. Watson, of Salisbury. 
She d. April i, 1882. 

83. Matilda W., b. Jan. 14, 1S33 ; d. Jan. 19, 1S6S, unni. 

84. Ellen C, b. July 16, 1834; m. William Dunlap. See. 

85. Joseph W., b. April 2, 1836; m. (i) Feb. 7, 1856, Betsey J. Pierce; m. (2) 

Susie Langmaid, and resides at Manchester. 

86. Henry A., b. April 11, 1838; m. Aug. 10, 1869, Marion, 

dau. of James and Jane ( Stevens ) Fellows. He was for 
some years a merchant at Ilopkinton, ( Contoocook ) 
was one of the founders of the N. H. Antiquarian Soci- 
ety, and the originator of the Philharmonic Club, of 
. Contoocook, now a merchant at Winsor, Mo. 

87. George E., b. Feb. 7, 1S41. See. 

88. Frances A., b. June i, 1S44; m. (i) James Shaw; ni. (2) Walter Sargent, of 

Warner. 



562 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(8r.) James, son of Stevens and Miriam Fellows, m. (i) June 
15, 1843, Jane, dau. of Daniel Stevens, of Salisbury, 
which see; she d. July 8, 1885 ; m. (2) Aug. 22, 1886, 
Amelia M. Stanley, of Hillsborough, dau. of Jacob 
Chandler. He purchased the Timothy Eastman place, 
putting the buildings into their present shape. He was 
selectman for four years, representative to the legisla- 
ture two years, and superintending school committee 
six years. In 1856 he was elected register of deeds of 
Merrimack county, and re-elected for a second term. On 
retiring from this office he removed to Hopkinton, N. H., 
where he continued in trade eight years, during which 
time he was chosen county commissioner for the years 
1864, 1885 and 1886. He also served as justice of the 
peace for twenty-three years. From Hopkinton he re- 
moved to Henniker, where he was for seven years en- 
gaged in trade. In 1872 he operated a steam sawmill at 
Dorchester, where in the following March he lost his 
left arm. He then disposed of the mill, went to Boston 
and rented the Massachusetts House, and afterwards the 
Crystal House, at Hubbardston. Returning to Henni- 
ker, he purchased the Foster Grange place, and made 
extensive improvements in fitting it for a summer hotel. 
His children were : 

89. Clara Adelia, b. Jan. 13, 1846; m. Feb. 22, 1S68, Charles Mackintire, of Pea- 

body, Mass.; d. Oct. 10, 1884. 

90. Marion Awilda, b. July 22, 1848; m. Aug. 10, 1S69, Henry A. Fellows, of 

Salisbury, 
gi: John Stevens, b. June 18, 1850; d. Nov. 8, 1858. 

92. Wilfred Dunbar, b. Aug. 16, 1852; m. Dec. 14, 1873, Mary Ellen Gordon, of 

Andover. She d. April 8, 1S76; m. (2) April 20, iSSo, Emma V. Ander- 
son, of Sedalia, Mo. 

93. James Fred, b. Sept. 25, 1855; m. Jan. 19, 1S76, Lillian I. Davis, of Andover. 

94. Nellie Stanwood, b. May 5, 1S59; d. Sept. 15, 1879. 

95. John Henry, b. July 8, 1861 ; m. Sept. 26, 1885, Martha W. Campbell. 

(87.) George E. carries on the ancestral farm ; m. Oct. 30, 
1862, Hannah C. Morrill, of Salisbury. 

96. Agnes M., b. April 10, 1864; d. May 2, 1864. 

97. Kate A., b. Aug. 29, 1S67 ; d. Sept. 2, 1869. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 563 



THE FIFIELD FAMILY. 

FIVE BRANCHES. 

John was the father of five sons, who removed here from 
Kingston. The church records of that town show the follow- 
ing : Mary, baptized Dec. 8, 1743; Joseph, son of John, bap- 
tized Feb. 14, 1748 ; David, baptized March 14, 175 i ; and John 
and Mary, baptized Feb. 24, 1754. 

I. John, b. in Kingston in 1733 ; m. Anna Snow, who d. Oct. 
21, 1824, aged 84. She was a smart, capable and ener- 
getic woman, and was present at the birth of Daniel 
Webster. Mr. Fifield purchased land of Col. Ebenezer 
Stevens, removing to Salisbury previous to 1771, build- 
ing a log house, in which he resided until 1776-8, when 
he erected the large house now occupied by his lineal 
descendant, John VV., at North road. He d. Oct. 24, 
1824, aged 91. This aged couple were buried in the 
same grave. 

2. Winthrop. See. 3. Mary, b. — ; d. young. 4. Edward, removed to Maine. 

5. Mary, b. — ; m. Peter French. See. 

6. Anna, b. — ; m. William Searle, a brother to Rev. Jonathan Searle. 

7. Joshua, b. Dec. 24, 1776. See. 

(2.) Winthrop, (Capt.) served in the revolutionary war as a 
marine. He settled in Enfield and afterwards returning 
to Salisbury he located on the old Mill road. He built 
two houses west of Punch brook, the second being a 
large frame house, painted yellow, which was destroyed 
by fire in 1879. ^^^ ^^s*^ erected a two-story brick house, 
on the rise of land east of the brook, known as " the 
mansion," which was also destroyed by fire. In this 
house he d. Jan. lo, 1834. He m. March 11, 17S4, Me- 
hitable, dau. of Benjamin Pettengill ; she d. Oct. 8, 1831. 
(See also sawmills.) 

8. Amos, b. Jan. i6, 1785. See. 9. Edwin, d. young. 
10. Benjamin P., b. Jan. 27, 17SS. See. 



564 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

11. John, b. Jan. 10, 1791 ; m. Hannah Babcock and resided at Hampden, Me. 

He d. Sept. 8, 1872. 

12. Mehitable, b. July 18, 1793; ^- Nov. 14, 1819, March Barber, of Canaan. 

She d. Oct. 25, 1875. 

13. Sukey, (Susan) b. Feb. 25, 1795; d- Sept. 21, 1S03. 

14. Israel, b. Aug. 17, 1798; m. Judith Taylor, of Danbury. He remained on the 

homestead, carried on several sawmills and d. Nov. 28, 1834. 

15. Nancy, b. Feb. 28, 1800, and d. young. 

16. Nancy, b. Jan. 1802; d. March, 1802. 17. Nancy, b. in 1804, and d. in 1805. 

18. Winthrop, b. Jan. 3, 1806. See. 

19. Polly, b. Sept. 23, 1808; m. Joshua Jackson and res. in Danbury. 

(7.) Joshua, known as "Squire Joshua," from his being a jus- 
tice of the peace, being first appointed Jan. 25, 1795. 
He was ofificially associated with S. C. Bartlett, trans- 
acted a considerable justice business and settled many 
estates, being honest in all his acts and universally re- 
spected. He was a large lumber dealer, and remained 
on the farm till deacon Amos removed from Danbury, 
when he sold out and removed to what is now Franklin, 
building a brick house, now the Congregational parson- 
age. Previous to his permanently leaving the farm he 
removed to the South road and resided in the Mrs. H. 
C. W. Moore house, where he was postmaster from Oct., 

1826, to Dec, 1827. Contemplating a visit to St. Louis, 
Mo., he had a premonition that he should die before his 
return, and made his will, leaving his business affairs with 
Judge Nesmith. While on this visit he d. at St. Louis, 
Nov. 17, 1840. He m. (i) Susannah Sanborn, who was 
b. July I, 1781, and d. Jan. 25, 1826; m. (2) Sept. 18, 

1827, Louisa Smith, of Peterborough, who d. — 

Children by first wife : 

20. Hiram, b. Jan. 16, 1802; d. Feb. 22, 1822. 

21. Susan, b. Jan. 16, 1804; m. Aug. 1826, Dr. Robert Smith. See. 

22. Joshua S., b. April 24, 1806. 

23. Ann S., b. April 10, 181 5; m. Dec. 11. 1836, Calvin Gerrish; res. at Concord. 

24. Mary B., b. April 29, 1817; d. Jan. 7, 1821. 

Children by second wife : 

25. John, d. young. 26. William H., d. young. 

27. Mary M., m. in the west and d. there. 28. Louisa. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 565 

(8.) Amos, (Deacon) m. April lo, 1805, Hannah Sherburne, b. 
at Kingston, March i, 1788, and d. Sept. 9, 1848. After 
marriage he removed to the south part of Danbury, clear- 
ing up a large farm, and resided there until 1832, when, 
his father's health failing, he returned to Salisbury. 
After the latter's death, in 1834, he bought out his uncle 
Joshua's share of the homestead and with his only son, 
Jonathan W., carried on the farm until his death, April 
26, 1858. He was made a deacon while residing at Dan- 
bury, and after his removal here was one of the influen- 
tial members of the Babtist church. Children : 

29. Hannah, b. Oct. 6, 1806; m. Dec. 1S26, Abraham Shaw. She d. Nov. i, 1857. 

30. Jonathan W., b. June 20, 1S08. See. 

31. Nancy, b. June 4, 1814; m. Ezekiel Bartlett. She d. in Hill, Oct. 2, 1870. 

32. Mary, b. Dec. 28, 1819; m. (i) Oct. 4, 183S, John Huntoon, who d. Jan. 19, 

1854; m. (2) March 14, 1855, David Pavere, who d. Aug. 14, 1863; m. (3) 
Jan 28, 1865, Jonathan Arey. See. 

(10.) Benjamin Pettengill resided for a time with his brother 
Amos, at Danbury, thence removed to Franklin, resid- 
ing in the old Edward Eastman house. He d. at Dan- 
bury, March 8, 1857; m. Dorothy Taylor, of Danbury, 
who d. March 28, 1844. Children : 

33. William, b. 182 1 ; d. Dec. 5, 1846. 34. Albert, died in California. 

35. Winthrop, resides in California. 36. Martha, b. in 1828, d. Sept. 29, 1S46. 
37. Dorothy, b. 1829, d. Oct. 25, 1856. 38. Mary A., m. and res. in the west. 

(18.) Winthrop, (Rev.) read medicine with Dr. Jesse Merrill, 
of Salisbury, ( Franklin ) attended medical lectures at 
Dartmouth, and practiced three years at Pittsfield. He 
studied theology with Rev. Jonathan Curtis, at Pittsfield, 
and at Andover Theological Seminary, and was ordained 
pastor of the Congregational church at Epsom, May lo, 
1837, continuing there ten years. He was then settled 
at East Concord, March 24, 1847, and was dismissed 
March 25, 1S50. Feb. 15, 1852, he began his christian 
labors with the Congregational church at South New- 
market, continuing until his death. May 9, 1862, "much 
lamented by a kind and devoted people.'- Mr. Fifield 



566 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

was modest and very unassuming in manner and pos- 
sessed great faith through prayer. He m. (i) Oct. 1833, 
Sophia Garland, who was b. Feb. 10, 18 15, and d. Nov. 

19, 1836; m. (2) Jan. 17, 1842, Sarah A. O., dau. of Jon- 
athan Piper, who was b. at North wood, Dec. 26, 1821. 
His children were: i. Ellen, b. — ; d. Aug. 19, 1836. 
II. Charles W., b. at Epsom, Feb. 19, 1843. iii. Ellen 
S., b. at Epsom, Dec. 5, 1845. iv. Ann E. G., b. at East 
Concord, Dec. 4, 1848. v. Sarah H., b. at East Con- 
cord, Jan. 26, 185 1. VI. John E., b. at South Newmar- 
ket, Nov. 2, 1857. 

(30.) Jonathan Ward remained on the farm and d. suddenly, 
Feb. I, 1874. He was a prominent Odd Fellow and a 
man much respected. He m. (i) Theodora D. Dickin- 
son, who d. April 22, 1850; m. (2) Elizabeth Rowell, 
who was b. at Alexandria, March 17, 18 19, and d, March 

20, 1857; m. (3) the widow of Dr. Carr, of Sanbornton. 
Children : 

39. John W., b. Dec. 6, 1832. See. 

40. Julia A., b. April 13, 1735 ; m. Nov. 25, 1855, Francis Shaw, who d. Feb. 1881. 

41. Martha J., b. March 17, 1838; m. Charles W. Butler, of Lowell, Mass. 

42. Mary H., b. June 25, 1843; m. Cyrus A. SuUoway, of Manchester. 

43. George C, b. July 27, 1856; d. March 20, 1857. 

(39.) John Ward succeeded his father on the farm, and has 
held several town offices. He m. Nov. 19, 1855, Martha 
M., dau. of Jonathan Clark, of Danbury. In speaking of 
the Fifield house on this homestead, Daniel Webster 
(who was born near) said "he had lived to see seven 
generations in the house." This being before the pres- 
ent occupant was married it must have been in the fol- 
lowing way : John, the grantee, (i) ; John, virho built 
the house, (ii) ; the old lady Snow, mother of John's 
wife, (iii) ; Winthrop, (iv) ; Amos, (v) ; Jonathan W., 
(vi) ; John W., (vii) — whose daughter Adelaide made the 
eighth generation. 

44. Adelaide M., b. Dec. 16, i860, m. Aug. 1881, Leon Boswell, of Franklin. 

She d. — 1888. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 567 



SECOND BRANCH. 

45. Jonathan Fifield, a brother to John, (i) was b. at Kings- 
ton in 1747, and removed to Salisbury previous to 1774, 
settling on the north side of the centre rangeway, at the 
top of the hill west of Parsons corner, where he built a 
small frame house, it being the ell of the present F. S. 
Fifield residence, erected by him a few years later. He 
served at the battle of Bennington, in Capt. Webster's 
company, and in other battles of the revolution, and was 
a man of much ability. He d. Jan. 15, 1828, aged 81 ; 
m. Dorcas Pearson, who d. June 10, 1833, aged 78. His 
children were : 

46. John. See. 47. Enoch, b. Aug. 14, 1774. 

48. Ebenezer O., b. June 29, 1781. He fitted for college at 
Salisbury Academy and entered Dartmouth College with 
Ezekiel Webster, they being close friends. After grad- 
uation, in 1804, he read medicine with Dr. Nathan 
Smith, of Hanover, and when Daniel Webster went to 
Boston to practice law Mr. P'ifield went with him, and 
completed his studies with Dr. Asa Ballard, the young 
men boarding and sharing the same room together. On 
the completion of his studies Dr. Fifield removed to 
Maine, practicing in the vicinity of Bangor, but not lik- 
ing there he returned to Boston. It is said that after 
practicing a short time he opened a store at Frankfort, 
and afterwards one at Boston. On the breaking out of 
the war of 18 12 he entered as a surgeon on board the 
ship-of-war Oriole, (.'). This vessel was captured by the 
French, and with others he was taken to France, remain- 
ing a prisoner for eight months. Returning to Boston 
shattered in health, he went to Alexandria, Va., where 
he taught the academy. In 1823 he again returned to 
Boston and was principal in the Bennett street school, 
afterwards occupying a position in the old State Bank. 



J 



568 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

His eyesight failing, in 1830, he left the bank and re- 
moved to Lowell, Mass., where he d. Oct. 22, 1859. He 
had a large circle of honored friends. He m. July 6, 
1809, Anna G., dau. of William Gough, of Boston; she 
d. April 15, 1875. Five children were b. to them, the 
surviving ones being : i. Elizabeth, who m. John Bil- 
lings. II. Ellen, m. — ; both reside at Boston, Mass. 

49. Pearson, b. Dec. lo, 17S4. See. 

50. Levi, unm., went to sea, and d. at New Orleans, La. 

51. Jonathan, d. in Virginia. 52. Reuben. See. 

53. Sewall, b. — ; m. (i) Sarah Sawyer, who d. May 6, 1855, 

aged 65 ; m. (2) in 1856, Mary Morrill, of Boscawen. 
He d. Dec. 4, 1871, aged 75. He was by trade a cabinet 
maker, and was a famous fifer in the old state militia 
times. 

54. Rebecca, b. — ; m. Dec. 25, 1807, Capt. James Ruther- 

ford, who was b. at Newburyport, Mass., Nov. 18, 1769, 
and d. at Troy, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1838. He was a sea- 
going man for thirty years, and commanded a number of 
vessels. During the period of the "Embargo Act" he 
came to Salisbury, married, and built the house now oc- 
cupied by Mrs. George Kilbourne, fitting up the north- 
west front room as a store, remaining here till 1815. She 
d. at Troy, Sept. 14, 1826; five children, all dead. 

(46.) John resided east of Mrs. Wallace Sanborn, and d. in the 
O. N. Tucker house. May 23, 1849, aged "j^ ; m. May 27, 
1793, Hannah Elkins, who d. Oct. 30, 1S50, aged 75. 

55. Enoch B., b. March 27, 1794, and went west. 

56. Philema A., b. Aug. 4, 1796, unm. and resided at Methuen, Mass. 

57. Dorcas P., b. April 27, 1798; d. June 27, 1831, unm. 

58. Sarah B., b. Dec. 9, 1799; m. — Shepherd, the hotel keeper at South road, 

and d. at Manchester. 

59. Henry E., b. Jan. 29, 1802; m. and removed to Michigan. 

60. Thomas, b. Jan. 10, 1804; d. March i, 1805. 

61. Judith E., b. Aug. 6, 1805; m. (i) Benjamin Thompson; m. (2) Moses Calef. 

See. 

62. Thomas E., b. Dec. 8, 1S07, and went west. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 569 

63. Nancy G., b. Oct. 6, 1S09, and res. at Methuen, Mass. 

64. Hannah C, b. May 8, i8io; m. Darius Messer and d. at Methuen, Mass. 

65. Mary J., b. Nov. 4, — , and res. at Methuen, Mass. 

(47.) Enoch resided on the Dr. W. W. Sleeper place. He m. 
in 1798, Abigail Stevens, who was b. at Salisbury, Mass., 
Feb. 12, 1778, and d. Feb. 20, 185 i. 

66. James, b. Oct. 23, iSoo ; m. Catherine Richards, but had no children. He 

d. April 21, 1S39. He resided on Cash street, where he made and gilded 
looking-glasses and picture frames, afterwards removing to Jackson, Mich. 

67. Osgood H., b. April 4, 1S04, and d. at Jackson, Mich., Nov. 16, 1872. 

68. John S., b. Sept. 5, 1806, and d. at Jackson, Mich., Feb. 25, 1872. 

69. Levi, b. March 7, 1S07 ; m. Hannah Osgood, dau. of Aaron Adams, and re- 

moved to Jackson, Mich., where he d. June 8, 1878. 

70. George W., b. Sept. 7, iSio; resides at Jackson, Mich. 

71. William P., b. July 7, 1S13, and d. Feb. 12, 18S0. 

72. Abigail S., b. Aug. 29, 1S15; m. — Woodworth, and d. at Jackson, Mich., 

Sept. S, 1S5S. 

73. Newell J., b. Dec. 8, 1S17; m. Mehitable Stevens. 

(49.) Pearson removed to Frankfort, near Winterport, Me., 
in 1808, {?) and m. Rebecca, dau. of Stephen Atwood, 
He worked at the trade of tanner, currier and shoe- 
maker. In 1 812 he returned to Salisbury with his wife 
and one child. From Salisbury he was drafted into the 
army and served at Lake Champlain. In 181 5 he rem. 
to Vassalboro, Me. By his first wife he had si.x children, 
the youngest, Harriet B., b. June 9, 1828. She m. 
Dec. 10, 1855, Josiah S. Richards, and resides at Molina, 
111. In 1834 Pearson m. (2) Mary H. Whitcomb, of Bos- 
ton, Mass., by whom he had two daughters, the young- 
est, Anna D., residing at Hampden, Me. 

(52.) Reuben remained on the homestead, and d. April 28, 
1841 ; he m. Mary Healey, who d. Oct 23, 1858, aged 62. 

74. Caroline 15., b. Oct. 5, 1S19; m. Jan. 6, 1S5S, Moody A. Kilbum, of Boscawen, 

who d. July 25, 1875. ^^c '^- Sept. 22, 1S80. 

75. Eveline C, b. Nov. 30, 1S21, and d. Nov. i, 1861, unm. 

76. Joseph H., b. March 18, 1S26; m. (i) Thankful — , who d. Oct 10, i860; m. 

(2) Alvina Gentleman, and res. at Jackson, Mich. 

77. Frederick S., b. Aug. 27, 1827, remains on the homestead, 
is a deacon ot the Baptist church, and has also served 



570 ^ HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

the town most faithfully. He m. June ii, 1862, Mary 
A., dau. of Joseph and Mary Taylor Hutchins, who was 
b. at Charlestown, Mass., June 4, 1842. 

78. Fred. H., b. March 16, 1866. 79. Grace M., b. Feb. 16, 1874. 



THIRD BRANCH. 

80. Abraham Fifield, (Ensign) a brother to John, (i) and Jon- 
athan, (45) is said to have come from Hampstead, but 
was a native of Kingston. He settled on the farm now 
occupied by B. F. Shaw, building the house. In the war 
of the revolution he served at Bunker Hill, and was in 
Capt. Webster's company at Bennington, being the sec- 
ond man that crossed the breastworks. He d. June 9, 
1840; m. Abigail Sulloway, of the Centre road village, 
who d. May 9, 1838, aged 83. 

81. Peter, b. May 20, 1781. See. 82. Betsey, d. unm. Feb. 27, 1856, aged 77. 

83. Abigail, d. unm. Aug. 13, 1848, aged 62. 

84. Amos, b. — ; m. May 22, 1813, Agnes Greenough, who d. in Salisbury. His 

children were: I. Melinda, b. in 1815, and d. Dec. 7, 1817. 11. William, 
b. in 1819, and d. Dec. 27, 1S24. 

85. Daniel, continued on the farm and d. July 21, 1S45, ^g^d 48. (?) 

86. Samuel, removed to Michigan where he d. He m. Sarah Norris, of Danbury. 

(81.) Peter purchased the Chase farm, on the southwest slope 
of Loverin hill, removed to Andover in 18 14, (i*) and d. 
Nov. 17, 1856; m. Lydia, dau. of Samuel Eaton. (See.) 
She d. June 9, 1880. 

87. John L., b. Aug. i, 1S05; m. Laura Cushman. He read medicine with Dr. 

Elkins, at Andover, and became a successful practitioner at Victoria, III., 
where he still resides, 

88. Peter F., b. April 7, 1812 ; m. Aug. 2, 1842, Mary Norton. He was a farmer 

and d. at French Grove, III., July 7, 1880. 

89. Samuel, b. in Andover, Sept. 24, 1816; m. Laurena, dau. of Moses Stevens, 

of Canterbury, and d. at Buda, 111., March 23, 1869. 

90. Hiram, b, Nov. 14, 1818 ; m. Mary E. Holmes and res. at Andover. 

91. Silas C, b. Jan. 7, 1821 ; m. Lucy A., daughter of William Jackman, of En- 

field, and res. at Andover. 

92. Lucy J., b. Aug. i, 1826; m. Marcus Nelson and res. at New London. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 5/1 

FOURTH BRANCH. 

93. Edward Fifield, a brother of John, Jonathan and Abraham, 
(i, 45, 80,) removed here in 1776, settling on the farm 
now owned by Michael Lorden. After a few years he 
sold out and removed to Meriden, then nearly a wilder- 
ness, purchasing 250 acres of land, and building a large 
frame house, still standing, one half mile from Kimball 
Union Academy, where he d. Aug. 19, 1834, aged 83. 
This would make him nearly the same age as Ensign 
Abraham. With his brothers he served in the revolu- 
^ tionary war. He m. Dorothy Sleeper, who d. Aug. 26, 
1827, aged 79. They had twelve children, all born in 
Salisbury, as follows : 

94. Dorothy, d. unm. 95. Ira. 96. Josiah, removed to Irasburg, Vt. 

97. Susan, m. Everiston Jennings and resided at Queechee, Vt. Had seven chil- 

dren, all d. but E. J. Jennings, who. m. Maria Jones and res. at Wood- 
stock, Vt. 

98. Lydia, m. Oliver Taylor, and rem. to N. Y. 99. Mehitable G., d. unm. 

100. Phebe, m. Enos Richard, or Ricard, and resided at Weathersfield, Vt. Re- 
moved to Plainfield, Vt. and died. 

loi. Perley, m. Marian, dau. of Capt. Nathaniel Morgan; she d. May 29, 1S49, 
aged 52; he d. June 11, 1863, aged 75. 

102. James, (M. D.) b. — ; m. Lucinda Palmer, of Claremont, where he practiced 

medicine and d. April 30, 1S27, aged 23- She d. Aug. 22, 18S1, aged 78. 

103. Edward, m. and d. at Weathersfield, Vt. 

104. Lucinda, b. at Meriden, and m. Cyrus IJeckley. 

105. Jesse, (M. D.) m. Susan Burnham and settled at Waterloo, N. V. Had four 

children and the youngest m. D. N. Burnham, Esq., and resides at 1274 
Indiana Avenue, Chicago, 111. 

FIFTH BRANCH. 

106. Joseph,* brother to the foregoing heads of families, 
(i, 45, 80 and 93,) was b. at Kingston in 1740, and was 
the first of the family to locate here, having removed to 
Salisbury previous to 1769, building a large two-story 
house on the site occupied by Mrs. Tenney's residence, 
at Parsons corner. His gravestone in the Baptist church- 

• In this sketch there are undoubtedly many inaccuracies, as the compiler has 
been able to gather but little trustworthy information. 



572 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

yard at Centre road has this inscription : " Esqr. Joseph 
Fifield, d. Sept. 29, 1813, aged 73." He was also called 
"Ensign Joseph," and served in the revolutionary war. 
He m. — Badger. 

107. Sherburne. See. loS. John. See. 109. Joseph. 

no. Amanda, m. John Chellis. in. Ezra,seei39. 112. Jonathan. See. 

113. Miriam, m. Joseph Adams. 

114. Polly, m. March 13, 1796, Deacon William Gate. 115. Josiah. (?). See. 

(107.) Sherburne erected a large house near the present house 
of Mrs. L. B. Graves, and subsequently removed to the 
College road west of the George Farm, where he died. 
He m. (i) Nov. 29, 1785, Alice Barnard, who d. May 8, 
1791 ; m. (2) Nov. 20, 1791, Elisabeth Sanborn. 

116. Stephen, b. March 20, 1787; m. Hannah, dau. of Moses Morse and removed 

to Meriden. 

117. Polly, b. Nov. 12, 17S8, and d. unm. 

118. Moses, b. June 6, 1793; m. Sally Bachelder, of Andover, and rem. west. 

119. Joseph, b. Jan. 25, 1795; ^- — Nichols, settled in Hill and rem. west. 

120. Elizabeth, b. Aug. 23, 1796, and d. young. 

(108.) John, called " Mountain John," settled in Kearsarge 
Gore, removing thence to the foot of Garland hill, where 
he died. He m. (i) Betsey, dau. of Capt. Benjamin Pet- 
tengill ; m. (2) Hannah Farnum. His children by first 
wife were : 

121. Moses, removed to N. Y. 

122. Amos P., m. (i) Sally Tucker; m. (2) — and removed to N. Y. 

123. Levi, lived in Warner and afterwards went to Illinois. 

124. Benjamin P., m. — Merrill and d. in Canaan; she d. May 3, 18S3. 

125. Eliza, m. Ransom Brooks and d. in Claremont. 

126. Ruth, m. William Forest and d. in New York. 

Children by second wife : 

127. True, m. — Conner and resided in Andover, 128. David. (.'') 

(109.) Joseph (Ensign) m. Hannah Pettengill, of Newburyport, 
Mass., and removed to Plainfield. 

129. Nancy B., m. David Winkley, of Strafford. Children: i. Alonzo, m. Eliza- 

beth Daniels, of Plainfield, and res. in Iowa. 11. Mary A., m. Martin Cole 
and res. in Meriden. 

130. David. (?) 131. Polly, m. Calvin Fifield, of Plainfield, and res. in Meriden. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 5/3 

132. Joseph, m. Ann Powell, of Pottsdam, N. Y. 

133. Rosannah, m. (i) David Raymond. (?) m. (2) — King, (?) and resided at 

Pottsdam, N. V. 

134. Jefferson, m. Klizabeth Wilcox, of Orford. 135. Hannah, d. unm. 

136. Dorothy, res. at Plainfield. 137. — m. Oliver Raymond ; res. at Plainfield. 

(112.) Jonathan (Ensign) resided with Sherburne Fifield and 
thence removed to the Dr. G. P. Titcomb house, where 
he died. 

138. Frank, learned the cabinet maker's trade of Deacon Parsons; m. Hannah 

Fifield ; he d. — and his widow again married. 

139. Thankful A., m. John Severance, of Andover, and removed west. 

140. Adelaide, d. — 

(115.) Josiah, (?) or Ezra. {?) [ I do not know whether this is 
the son of Ensign Joseph or not. He lived on the Sher- 
burne Fifield place and was twice married.] 

141. Sherburne, resided at Deerfield. There were also: David, who m. Polly 

Brooks and d. in Plainfield ; Calvin, m. — 

142. Benjamin Fifield was at Rumford (Concord) Jan. 2, 

1747-8, and signed the petition to Benning Wentworth 
to furnish a guard for the gristmill at that place. He 
also signed the "Association Test Act." He m. Han- 
nah Peters, who d. March 8, 1794. 

143. Mary, b. April i, 1748; m. Ezra Carter and res. at New Marlborough, Me. 

144. Obediah P., b. Aug. 31, 1749. See. 145. William, b. May 6, 1751. See. 

146. Hannah, b. Dec. 21, 1752; m. — Bagley. 

147. Benjamin, b. Oct. 4, 1754, and settled soon after his brother, Obediah P., at 

the top of the hill west of M. J. Stevens. He m. (1) Mehitable Bean and 
resided on the farm now occupied by ICrncst C. Currier, thence removing 
to Grafton. He m. (2) Susanna Chote, of Chelsea, Vt. 

148. Jonathan, b. Aug. 9, 1756. 149. Sarah, b July 13, 1758. 

150. Paul, b. Aug. 5, 1760; m. Temperance Furber and removed to Maine. 

151. John, b. May 20, 1762; m. Phebe P'ry. 

152. Moses, b. Aug. 11, 1764, and resided at Plainfield. 

153. David, b. Jan. 16, 1767, and resided at Plainfield. 

154. Shuah, b. Jan. 27, 1769; m. Zeneth Wheeler, of Concord, and rem. to N. Y. 

(144.) Obediah Peters, at the age of 32, (viz. in 1781 ) removed 
to the western part of the town, settling on the north 
side of the centre rangeway, beyond M. J. Stevens, the 
old "cellar hole"' still remaining, he and the Scribners 



574 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

being the first settlers in that neighborhood. He. m. 
Sarah, dau. of Sinclair Bean. 

155. Elizabeth, m. Aug. 6, 1793, Moses Stevens. 

156. Benjamin, b. Aug. 8, 1777. See. 157. Polly, m. David Tenney, of Hill. 

158. Sally, m. March 3, 1807, Ebenezer Mason, of Hill. 

159. Jonathan, m. March 17, 1806, Hannah Thompson, of 

Salisbury. He was by trade a blacksmith, and was noted 
for his ingenuity in the manufacture of iron tools of all 
descriptions and the tempering of steel. He resided for 
a time east of his father's, afterwards removing to War- 
ner. Children : i. Benjamin, m. Caroline Perkins, of 
South Boston, Mass., and resided in Sutton. He had 
seventeen children, six b. in Salisbury. 

160. Susan, m. Russell Adams. 

161. Obediah, m. (i) — Hildreth, of Sutton; m. (2) Rebecca Savery, of Kearsarge 

Gore, Warner. He was by trade a blacksmith and removed to New York, 
where he died. 

162. Shuah, m. Jan. 12, 181 5, Israel Bean. See. 

163. Elizabeth, m. Thomas Dickinson. 

(155.) Benjamin remained on the farm and with the assistance 
of his father built the large double house, (near the site 
of the first house) destroyed by fire some years ago. 
This house was the largest dwelling in that part of the 
town and was a prominent landmark. He removed to 
Wilmot in 1837, (?) and d. Jan. 10, 1842; m. Rachel 
Chote, of Enfield, who d. — 

164. Mary, b. Oct. 2, 1801 ; m. in 1S20, Samuel Currier. He d. — , she d. Dec. 8, 

1884. Children : i. Lavina, b. — , m. Elisha R. Ilorton, both dead. 
II. James, m. Sarah Bean. He d. — in. Clement S., d. — 

165. Asa, b. in 1815; m. (i) Lydia Eastman, of Andover; m. (2) widow Sarah 

Bailey, who d. — He res. in Wilmot. 

166. Abigail, b. in 1817, and m. Jonathan Bean. 

167. Sarah, b. Feb. 11, 1824; m. Thomas Addison, of Weare. She d. — 

(145.) William resided at the East Village, (Franklin.) He 
was a miller by trade, and employed by Ebenezer East- 
man to conduct his gristmill. He removed here in 1799 
and d. in 1822; m. Nov. 21, 1776, Dorothy Eastman, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 575 

i68. Molly, b. Sept. 30, 1777; drowned in 17S6. 

169. Jeremiah, b. March 20, 1779 and removed west. 

170. Rebecca, b. Sept. 22, 17S2; m. Ralph Webster. She d. — aged 90 ; he d. 

in 1S54. 

171. William, b. Oct. 24, 1784, and settled at New Hampton. 

172. Moses, b. Oct. 20, 17S6, and settled at Northfield, Mass. He m. (r) Sylvia 

Warren. 

173. Philip, b. Dec. iS, 1788, and d. young. 

174. Molly, b. Aug. 9, 1791 ; m. Benjamin Judkins. See. 

175. Susan, b. Nov. 12, 1793-94; m. (i) John Robertson, who d. Feb. 2, 1825; m. 

(2) Nov. 18, 1849, Jeremiah Sanborn. She d. Jan. 17, 1869. 

176. Sally, b. Jan. 3, 1796; m. May 22, 1817, John Russell, Jr., who was b. at An- 

dover. May 30, 1793, ^"d d. at Franklin, May 25, 1867 ; she d. July 5, 1868. 

177. Ruth, d. — aged 7 years. 



THE FITZ FAMILY. 

TWO BRANCHES. 

The ancient source of this family in America was Sir John 
Fitz, of Fitz-ford, Devonshire county, England, in the 13th 
century. The immediate American ancestor of the Fitz (or 
Fitts) family was Robert Fitz, (i) who, with his wife, Grace 
D., were among the original settlers of Salisbury, Mass., as 
early as 1639, first settling in Ipswich, in 1835. He left one 
son, Abraham, (2) who m. (i) May, 1655, Sarah Thompson ; m. 
(2) Jan. 7, 1668, the widow of Tyler Ikadley ; among the child- 
ren by his second wife was Richard, (3) b. Feb. 26, 1672 ; m. 
April, 1727, Sarah Brown, and settled at South Hampton. He 
had Daniel, (4) b. Sept. 25, 1729; m. Abigail Currier and set- 
tled at Sandown. He had Richard, (5) b. Aug. 8, 1758; m. 
Dorothy Kimball and settled at Sandown ; had nine children. 

Fn<ST BRANCH. 

6. Daniel, the eldest, b. at Sandown, March 7, 1789, where he 
m. (i) Nov. 12, 1812, Abigail Mitchell, who was b. at 
Haverhill, Mass. He removed to Salisbury in 18 18, 
purchasing the farm of Abial VVardwell, known as the 



576 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

"Sinkler Bean farm." In April, 1836, he removed to 
that part of Boscawen now Webster, where he d. July 
13, 1865 ; she d. Dec. 27, 1837, aged 49; m. (2) March 
17, 1846, Sarah A. Weeks, of Hopkinton. By his second 
wife he had no children. Mr. Fitz was a man of positive 
character, indomitable energy, and a public spirited citi- 
zen. Embracing Christianity in 183 1, with others, he 
established the "Union meetinghouse." After his re- 
moval to Webster he was one of the foremost members 
of the society in building the Methodist church. His 
political creed was "that the people should govern." 

7. Almira, b. Sept. 2, 1813; m. May 9, 1S75, John Tebbett.s, of Cliarlestown, 
Mass. She d. March 10, 1879. 

8. George Washington, b. April 21, 18 15. By trade he was a 
miller and dealt in grain at Cambridge, Mass. He be- 
came one of the early settlers of Lawrence, Kan., where 
he entered into the struggle to prevent "border ruffian- 
ism." He m. at Cambridge, May i, 1842, Sarah A. 
Thompson, who d. April 22, 1851 ; m. (2) Ellen Malone. 
Had five children by his first wife, three of whom died, 
and five children by his second wife. 

9. Cyrus, b. Sept. 16, 1S18. See. 

10. John Mitchel, (M. D.) b. Oct. 19, 1820. He attended the 
school at the South road, living with Mrs. Andrew Bow- 
ers, and then entered the Samuel Greenleaf store where 
he remained during his minority. In 1845 ^^ began the 
study of medicine under Charles P. Gage, M. D., of Con- 
cord. He also attended medical lectures at Harvard, 
and after some years of study and practice graduated at 
Dartmouth Medical College in 1865. He began the 
practice of medicine at Bainbridge, Ga., and in 1849 lo- 
cated at Vershire, Vt. In 1852 he opened an office at 
Warner, remaining there till 1865, when he removed to 
South Sutton, and thence to Bradford, where he contin- 
ued with a large and successful practice. He was an 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 5/7 

active member of the N. H. Medical Society, and one of 
the first members of the state board of censors, to exam- 
ine medical graduates for a license. A man of great 
perseverance, and gifted with quick faculties of percep- 
tion, he arrived at a diagnosis seemingly by intuition ; 
he never failed to respond to a professional call, by rea- 
son of the pecuniary circumstances or on account of the 
weather. He m. April 13, 1858, Nancy, dau. of H. B. 
Chase, of Warner; he d. Feb. 8, 1883. 

11. Orlando H., b. Nov. 5. 1S22 ; d. Aug. 21, 1825. 

12. Mary 13., b, Feb. 28, 1825. She was a school teacher of considerable note. 

13. Harriet E., b. April 8, 1S27; m. Aug. 13, 1854, John \V. Colby, of Franklin. 

He d. at Lawrence, Kan., Feb. 8, 1875. 

14. Orlando H., b. Jan. 8, 1830; m. (i) Aug. 28, 1866, Mrs. Julia M. Foster; m. 

(2) April 14, 1870, ^lary S. Worth, by whom he had John L., b. Oct. 28, 
1875, and resides at Webster. 

15. Daniel, b. April 22, 1832; d. — 

(9.) Cyrus, in the winter of 1832-3, began work for Dr. Peter 
Bartlett, remaining two years. In 1837 he was commis- 
sioned Ensign of the Boscawen infantry, afterwards ris- 
ing to the rank of Captain. Under the pastorate of the 
Rev. John French, he united with the M. E. church, (in 
1847) and since 1875 he held church office. In 1S44 he 
removed to Cambridge, Mass., where he followed the oc- 
cupation of a miller. Returning to Webster in 1846, he 
followed the same business for two years, when he rem. 
to "Little's hill," where he has a large and productive 
farm. He m. July 3, 1843, Elizabeth Corser ; has eight 
children, seven of which were born at Webster. 



SECOND BRANCH. 

16. Richard Fitz, a brother of Daniel, (6) was b. Dec. 6, 1790, 
and removed here with his brother, occupying the same 
house. He m. (i) Mary, dau. of Hon. Joseph lilanchard, 
of Chester, who d. Feb. i, 1S25 ; m. (2) Jan. 2, 1827, 
Maria, dau. of Isaac Stevens, who d. July i, 1833, aged 

37 



5/8 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

32. He d. on the John Corser farm in Boscawen, Jan. 
10, 1846. 

Children by first wife: 

17. Maria F., b. Jan. i, 1S19; m. Jan. 26, 1841, Garland Calef. She d. Jan. 6, 

1873; had seven children, born at Webster. 

18. Sally, b. May 20, 1820; m. May 20, 1S46, Israel Tebbetts, of Charlestown, 

Mass. She d. Sept. 9, 1861. 
ig, Mary A., b. Jan. 12, 1822; m. Nov. 10, 1846, Albert Danforth. She d. Jan. 9, 
1851. 

Children by second wife: 

20. Rhoda J., b. Feb. 6, 1828; m. June 17, 1S52, Alpheus Ballard, of Boston 

Mass. She d. June 30, 1854. 

21. Hannah, b. Aug. 30, 1832; d. March i, 1833. 



THE FLANDERS FAMILY. 

I. William bought seven acres of land of John Chellis, and 
erected a house on the site now occupied by Mrs. Moses Gree- 
ley. Here he built a tannery and had a shoe shop. Moses 
Greeley having purchased this property, Mr. Fifield removed 
to South road and built the house now occupied by John \V. 
Huntoon. He d. Sept. 10, 1837, aged 55. The name of his 
wife is not known, as he married previous to coming here. He 
was a man of much respectability, smart and energetic, and was 
in his day the acknowledged leader of the democratic party. 
Few facts concerning his descendants are known, except that 
bis sons became connected with the shoe industry. 

2. James, b. July 4, 1800; rem. to Lynn, and may have died here in 1S33. 

3. Daniel, b. April 10, 1802; m. July 12, 1S27, Bertha Scribner. 

4. William, b. June 5, 1804; removed to Woburn, Mass. 

5. Benjamin F., b. Oct. 31, 1807; d. March 31, 1813. 6. John, b. Oct. 26, iSio. 
7. Henry H., b. July 31, 1813. 

8 Benjamin F., b. Aug. 24, 1816. All removed to Woburn, Mass. 

Ezra Flanders removed to Grafton or Canaan ; m. April i, 
1768, Sarah Blasdel, (Blaisdell.) Children all born here, 
as follows : 

TO. John, b. Jan. 24, 1769. 11. Dolly, b. Nov. 19, 1770. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 579 

12. James, b. Aug. 26, 1772. 13. Daniel, b. Aug. 30, 1774. 

14. Abner, b. April 13, 1777. 15. William, b. May 12, 1779. 

16. Sarah, b. Aug. 10, 1781 ; d. Dec. 6, 1781. 17. Ezra, b. Oct. 8, 17S3. 



THE FOOTE FAMILY. 

Lewis Foote was born at Amesbury, Mass., Feb. 14, 1784, 
and was by trade a ship carpenter. In the war of 1812 he en- 
listed in the navy, and shipped from Portsmouth in the priva- 
teer " Mass," she having been commissioned by French "letters 
of marque," having been taken from the French during that 
war. She was shortly after lost during a severe gale. Among 
his children were : 

1. Thomas, b. at Amesbury, March 14, 1813. Jan. 12, 1831, 

he came to Salisbury, and eventually purchased the 
Capt. John Webster homestead, where he resided until 
his removal to Hampstead in the fall of 1878. During 
his residence here he was engaged in carpentering and 
in manufacture of cabinet articles. Public office he 
would never hold. He was a man of much self-respect 
and very methodical in his daily life. He m. Nov. 26, 
1835, Lydia, dau. of David F. Favor, who was b. at Bris- 
tol, R. I., Aifg. 3, 1813 ; d. at Hampstead, Dec. 17, 1887. 

2. Mary E., b. Sept. i, 1S37; d. Aug. 26, 1S40. 

3. Charles Edwin, b. June 5, 1S40; m. June i r, 1S60, Mary F., dau. of Dr. Robert 

Smith. He is engaged in mercantile business at I'ennacook. 

4. Frederick W., b. April 21, 1.S43; d. April 24, 1S44. 

5. Henry Thomas, b. Sept. 27, 1845; m. Charlotte .Xmcsworth and resides at Pen- 

nacook, on the Boscawen side, where he is engaged in mercantile business • 

6. Alfred W., b. Feb. 21, 1S4S; m. Fanny Randall and res. at Hampstead. 

7. James Lewis, b. April 15, 1856. At the age of fifteen he 

began as office boy for John M. Shirley, Esq., at Ando- 
ver, and soon after began the study of law under the in- 
struction of Mr. Shirley, afterwards studying law with 
E. B. S. Sanborn, Esq., of Franklin Falls, for two years. 



580 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

He was admitted to the bar in 1S77, and removed to 
Manchester, where he was in practice for some years. 
While in Manchester he m. and is supposed to have 
gone west. 



THE FOSTER FAMILY. 

Reginald Foster, or Forester, as the name is spelled in the 
English records, was the patriarch of the family in America, 
emigrating from Exeter, (Devonshire) England, about 1638, and 
settling at Ipswich, Essex county, Mass. He brought with him 
his wife, Judith, five sons and two daughters. She died at Ips- 
wich, Oct. 16, 1664; married (2) the widow of John Martin, of 
Ipswich ; he died previous to June 9, 1681. 

I. Hezekiah Foster removed to Salisbury quite early, settling 
west of Blackwater river, where the old cellar hole is yet 
to be seen, by a large elm tree, which was set out by one 
of his daughters. He signed the association test act 
and was a smart, capable farmer. He m. (i) — East- 
man ; m. (2) — Bean ; m. (3) Aug. 22, 1776, Mrs. Abi- 
gail (Tyler) Pearson, who, after her husband's death, 
m. — Currier. Children by first wife : 

2. Sally, m. John Bean. 3. Jonathan. ( See.) 4. Richard. ( See.) 
5. — m. — Clark. 6. Susan M. Stickney. 

7. Mehitable, m. Simon Ward, b. at Salisbury, Mass., April 
13, 1762. He resided at Warner, served through the 
revolutionary war, and d. at Newbury, Vt., in 1858. She 
d. Jan. I, 181 1. They had seven children. She was the 
grandmother of Baxter P. Smith, historian and author of 
several historical works, who resided and d. at Hanover. 

8. Caleb, d. at Baltimore, Md., unm. 

Children by second wife: 

9. Polly, m. — Jewett. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 58 1 

Children by third wife: 

10. Abigail, b. in Salisbury, Dec. 30, 1777; m. 1799, David Stevens. (See.) She 

d. April 22, 1859. 

11. Jacob F., b. Sept. 11, 1779; "^- Lucy Bartlett. 

(3.) Jonathan settled just south of the homestead, on part of 
an eighty-acre lot, which he purchased of John Smith, 
Sept. 16, 1786. His granddaughter, Mrs. Sophronia 
Engals, resides at Hanover. He m. July 30, 1778, Mary 
Greeley. 

12. Hannah, b. Sept. 22, 1779. 13. Sarah, b. Nov. 25, 1780. 

14. Mehitable, b. March 25, 1783. 15. Jonathan, b. May 2., 17S5. 

16. David, b Feb. 12, 17SS. 17. Polly, b. Aug. 25, 1791. 

18. Hezekiah, b. Jan. 12, 1794. 19. William, b. Aug. 12, 1796. 

20. Jesse H., b. June, iSoi ; d. 1802. (?) 

(4.) Richard remained on the homestead until 1798, when 
with his family he removed to Hanover, where he d. Oct. 
I, 1833 ; m. (i) July 29, 1784, Sarah Greeley, who d. May 
4, 1795, aged 30; m. (2) March 10, 1796, Esther Jewell, 
who d. Nov. I, 1843. 

21. Caleb, b. April 19, 1785; d. Sept. 19, 1S62; m. — Putnam. 

22. Asa, b. July 16, 1786, d. at sea. 

23. Richard, b. March 6, 1788. He was by occupation a farm- 

er and a gentleman highly respected ; he d. Nov. 22, 
1868, aged 80; m. Irena, dau. of Rev. Eden Burroughs, 
D. D., for many years pastor of the church at Hanover. 
They had nine sons and one daughter. Seven of the 
sons graduated at Dartmouth College. For a sketch of 
their usefulness the reader is referred to the Alumni of 
Dartmouth, 1851. 

24. Sarah, b. May 24, 1790; d. young. 

25. Susannah, b. March 9, 1792 ; d. Sept. 19, 1S73, aged 81 ; m — Chaliis Currier. 

26. Elizabeth, b. March 13, 1794. 

2"]. Amos, (Rev.) A. M., was b. March 30, 1797. He pre- 
pared for college at Kimball Union Academy, and in the 
summer of 18 18 entered at Dartmouth, graduating in 
1822. As resident graduate he studied theology with 
President Tyler, D. D., and Professor Roswell Shurtleff, 



582 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

D. D., and was licensed to preach by the Windsor Asso- 
ciation, at Norwich, Vt., in Feb. 1824. On the second 
of March, 1825, he was ordained pastor of the Congre- 
gational church in Canaan, from which he was dismissed 
Jan, 2, 1833. Feb. 13, 1833, he was installed at Putney, 
Vt., and dismissed Nov. 9, 1853 ; installed at Ludlow, 
Vt., Nov. 9, 1853, and dismissed Dec, 30, 1856; installed 
at Acworth, Feb. 18, 1857, when, after a pastorate of nine 
years, he was dismissed and returned to his former pas- 
torate at Putney, Vt., where he supplied the pulpit for 
seven years and there died, Sept. 21, 1884, aged dtj. 
Dartmouth College conferred upon him the degree of 
A. M, He m. June 29, 1825, Harriet, dau. of the Rev, 
Broughton White, of Washington, N. H., who d. in Oct. 
1882. His publications were, "A Thanksgiving Ser- 
mon," delivered at Canaan, Nov. 29, 1827 ; " A Discourse 
to Young Men," preached at Putney, Feb. 28, 1836, and 
the "Ordination Sermon" of the Rev. E. D. Foster, 
D. D., at Henniker, Aug. 18, 1841. His children, born 
at Hanover, were : 

28. Daniel, b. March 27, 1800; d. young. 

29. Benjamin F. was b. June i6, 1803. (See Congregational 

ministers.) He fitted for college at Kimball Union 
Academy, graduated at Amherst College in 1829, studied 
theology with the Rev. Silas McKean, D. D., of Brad- 
ford, Vt., was licensed to preach Aug. 2, 1831, and was 
ordained an evangelist, in March, 1832. He was in- 
stalled at Salisbury, Nov. 13, 1833, and dismissed July 
23, 1846. In the following September he was installed 
over the Congregational church, at Dummerstown, Vt,, 
but on account of ill health was dismissed Dec. 18. 1867. 
He m. (i) April 19, 1832, Ruth H. Kimball, of Orange, 
who d. June 3, 1845, aged 37; m. (2) May C, Perry, of 
Manchester; he d, at Dummerstown, Vt,, Nov. 2, 1868. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 585 



THE FRAZIER FAMILY. 

I. Benjamin was born July 21, 1767, his parents moving to 
Deerfield when he was a child. While a resident there he mar- 
ried Mary — who was born March 1 1, 1769, and d. Dec. 7, 1843. 
After the birth of their first child they removed to Salisbury, 
settling at the west part of the town, beyond Mr. Frank Whit- 
temore's. Clearing one acre of land he built a log house, which 
was soon followed by the frame house still standing in what is 
now a pasture. Although living at the extreme west part of 
the town he rapidly purchased and cleared up more land, which 
being very productive gave him the reputation of a thrifty 
farmer. His home was a famous resort for our people, when 
they wished to go "a visiting" and have a good time. In poli- 
tics he was a democrat, liberal minded, frank and generous. 
He was a famous hunter, and upon his land all kinds of wild 
game was killed, one piece in particular being known as "bear 
world," on account of the large number of bears killed there. 
He died June 12, 1820. 

2. Levi, b. in Deerfield, Nov. 27, 17S9; m. Sarah Quimby of Salisbury and rem. 

to Danbury ; d. March 16, 1857. 

3. Mary, b. in Salisbury, July 25, 1792; m. April 13, 1S12, John Roby, Jr., of 

Weare. He was a Quaker in religion; d. Oct. 29, 1S72. 

4. Benjamin, b. Jan. 5, 1794; d. Jan. 23, 1842; m. in New York, Jane Bussey. 

5. Sarah, b. Dec. 20, 1798; d. April 8, 1856, unm. 

6. Moses, b. F"eb. 21, 1801 ; d. June 5, 1843; m. Almira Meloon, of Deerfieldr 

and settled in Andover. 

7. Judith C, b. March 24, 1803 ; d. June 5, 1S45, uinri- 

8. John C, b. April 7, 1805. (See.) 

9. Lydia, b. June 28, 1807; d. Dec. 5, iSoS. 

10. Samuel C, born Feb. 14, 1810; he settled at Methuen, where he married 

Sarah Ingalls; d. Sept. 29, 1S52. 

11. Lydia, b. Nov. 28, 1S12 ; d. March 19, 1856, unm. 

12. Alonzo, b. .March 11, 1816; d. Aug. 23, 1S16. 

(8.) John C, after the birth of his eldest child, moved to Dan- 
bury, where he d. Nov. 26, 1886 ; m. July 15, iS^2, Alice, 
dau. of Moses Eastman, who d. Feb. 20, 1879. 

13. John, b. Jan. 16, 1S36; m. Mary O. Frazier. She d. April 22, iSSo. He re- 

sides at Duxbury. 



584 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

14. Mary, b. Oct. 17, 1S3S; d. March 6, 1846. 15. Moses, b. Sept. 20, 1843. 

16. Mary A., b. Feb. 25, 1846; d. March 4, 1851. 

17. Frank P., b. April 29, 1S50 ; m. June 14, iSSi, Clara Duff, of Peoria, 111., where 

they reside. 



THE FRENCH FAMILY. 

I. Lieutenant Joseph removed here from Kingston previous 
to 1775. clearing up the farm on which he resided, now owned 
by Woodbury Stevens. He obtained his title in the revolu- 
tionary war, and was a smart, enterprising man. He married, 
(i) at Kingston, Huldah Clifford, who died aged j}, ; m. (2) the 
widow Clough, of Gilmanton ; he died in Salisbury, — 

2. Mehitable, b. June 13, 1769; m. Phineas Huntoon. 3. Peter. (See.) 

4. Samuel, b. March 25, 1773; m. (i) Nov. 3, 1794, Hannah, dau. of Dea. Moses 

Selley ; d. Nov. 22, 1804; m. (2) widow Wiggin. 

5. Abigail, b. Oct. 8, 1775; d. unm. 

6. Jonathan, (Dr.) b. Oct. 5, 1777; m. — Shaw; studied medicine, and practiced 

his profession at Hampton ; removed to Amesbury, Mass., (.'') d. — 

7. Sarah, b. Feb. 10, 1780, m. Jan. 8, 1818, Thomas Follinsbury; d. in Hill. 

8. Joseph, b. July 5, 1782 ; m. (i) — ; m. (2) widow Huntoon ; 
m. (3) Mrs. Betsey Batchelder, of Loudon ; removed to 
Hill and died. I am not certain about the above mar- 
riages ; he certainly married Emma Dickenson. He had 
6 children, one of which, Hon. Augustus Chaflin French, 
was b. in Hill, Aug. 2, 1808. He resided with his grand- 
father, attending the Salisbury Academy, and after ad- 
mission to the bar removed to Illinois, and was governor 
of that state for six years. He died at Lebanon, 111. 
Another son. Dr. Edward, resided in Illinois. 

9. John, b. July 2, 1785; removed west. 

10. Mary, b. April 10, 1788; m. Sept. 10, 1807, Enoch Poor. 

11. Nathaniel. (See.) 

{3.) Peter, b. Dec. 22, 1770, remained on the homestead; m. 
March 31, 1795, Dorothy Fifield. 

J2. Susannah, b. Dec. 24, 1796; m. Dec. 27, 1827, James Morse; he died March 
20, 1S48, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 585 

13. Peter, b. Feb. 4, 1799; d. unm. in Andover. 

14. Nancy, b. July 24, 1801 ; d. young. 15. Nancy, b. Sept. 12, 1803. 
16. John F., d. aged 6. 17. Lucien. 18. Dorothy, d. unm., aged 43. 

(11.) Capt. Nathaniel, b. Nov. 29, 1791, remained on the farm 
and m. May 7, 1818, Phebe Wells, who d. in 1858, aged 
64 ; he d. in 1858. 

19. Augustus J., b. Aug. 7, 1817 ; m. Mary A. Wyatt, of Canterbury; she d. — ; he 

res. at Enfield. 

20. Joseph S., b. Aug. 19, 1S19; m. Nov. 25, 1841, Caroline K. Baker, of Salisbury; 

res. in Franklin. 

21. Hiram F., b. 1S22 ; m. Dorothy Farnum; he d. at Andover, where she res. 

22. Eliza, m. Charles F. Delano; res. at Lynn, Mass. 

23. Jonathan, b. Oct. 20, 1824 ; m. March 22, 1854, Emeline Perry ; res. at Andover. 

24. Mary J., d. 1849, unm. 25. Dr. John Q. A.; res at Washington. 

26. Marcus M., b. Nov. 8, 1832 ; m. Jan. i, 1861, Betsey Simonds ; res. at Franklin. 

27. Lucas, b. Oct. 5, 1835, unm. 

28. Charles M., d. Nov. 22, 1886, aged 35; b. at Salisbury. 



THE GALE FAMILY. 

Three generations of this family practiced medicine in King- 
ston, viz: Drs. Amos, senior and junior, and Dr. Ezra Bartlett 
Gale, exclusive of others bearing this name. The Gale and 
Bartlett families were closely connected by intermarriage. A 
writer remarks: "It is believed that no two families in our 
country have furnished more physicians than the Bartlett and 
Gale families of Kingston." (Hist, and Gen. Reg. Vol. i, p. 
97.) The progenitors of this family, who settled at South road, 
were : i. Ed#ftF4^, wa9-borrv«t Cambridge, Mass., and died at 
Boston, July 29, 1642, (O, S.) n. His son, Bartholomew, of 
Salem, married (i) 1662, Martha Lemon; married (2) Feb. i, 
1663, Mary Bacon, of Salem, in. His son, Daniel, born Aug. 
17, 1676; married, in 1700, Rebecca Sweatt, of Newbury. 
IV. His son, Jacob, of E.xeter, born Nov. 30, 1708; married in 
J 735 {■) the widow of John Collins. (See Collins genealogy.) 
She was the mother of John Collins, who settled here. Jacob 
died in 1762, leaving : 



586 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

I. Jacob, b. June 30, 1736. (See.) 2. Susannah, b. Nov. 28, 1737. 

3. Daniel, b. Sept. 2, 1739, and removed to Gilmanton. 

4. Eliphalet, b. Sept. 5, 1741. ( See.) 

5. Dr. Amos, b. April 9, 1743; m. Hannah Oilman. 

6. Eli, b. Feb. 23, 1745; m. Dorothy — 7. Mary, b. Nov. 22, 1747. 

8. Benjamin, b. March 6, 1749; d. 1771. 

9. John Collins, b. Nov. 26, 1750. ( See.) 

10. Stephen, b. Oct. 12, 1752; d. young. 

11. Hannah, b. Oct. 2, 1754; d. 1754. 

12. Stephen, b. Jan. 5, 1756; d. Jan. 22, 1770. 

(i.) Jacob (known as "Col.") settled at Kingston previous to 
1770, from which town in 1774 he was chosen a delegate 
to Exeter. He was a Major in Col. Draper's regiment, 
in 1777, and was at the surrender of Burgoyne. In 1778 
he participated in the Rhode Island campaign, and was 
appointed successor of (President) Josiah Bartlett, in 
the command of the 5th N. H. militia. He m. Abigail 
Tappan, a sister of John, who was a brother to Weare 
and grandfather of the Hon. Mason W. Tappan, Attor- 
ney General of N. H. He d. Jan. 27, 17S4. 

(4.) Eliphalet was one of the lessees of the proprietors' sawmill 
in Salisbury. He sold his land to Jacob Morrill, and 
was living at Alexandria, May 20, 1777. He probably 
removed to Williamstown, Vt. Some of his children re- 
sided at Colchester, Vt., and one of them was James. 

(9.) John Collins, (Deacon and Col.) His father died when 
he was twelve years of age, leaving him for an inheri- 
tance the land on which he subsequently settled, known 
as the " Gale farm," now owned by Handel N. Colby. 
Like many boys he was bound out to service, but, pos- 
sessing an active, ambitious nature, he left his place and 
came to Salisbury, where he m. Rebekah, dau. of Capt. 
John Webster, who d. Sept. 26, 181 1, aged 61. His first 
house was built on the south part of the farm, in what is 
called the "sheep pasture." During his first winter a 
very severe snow storm occurred, and Capt. Webster 
became very much concerned about his little children, 
as he called them, and went through the snow to see 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 5S7 

them, taking a "head and pluck," which in those days 
was a very acceptable gift, while it was significant of de- 
termination and perseverance. It is needless to add 
that "the children" were found all right. The second 
season he built a small house on what was then called 
"Chicken hill," and in 1803 went a little northwest and 
built the present commodious house. The well was in 
the present garden, and was made by an arrangement 
with his wife, he agreeing to dig at the well every time 
she went to the spring for water. His Colonel's com- 
mission bears the date of June 27, 1804, and the follow- 
ing story is told of his first appearance before his men 
in his new rank. Being liberal he determined to do the 
proper thing, procuring a quantity of codfish and bis- 
cuit, and directed his hired man to put up five gallons 
of N. E. rum for the officers ; his wife made some re- 
mark about furnishing so much liquor; the new-made 
Colonel was drawing on his new boots and said, " Re- 
bekah, that boot looks well, moreover it is a good fit," 
and told the man to make it eight gallons ! Said Re- 
bekah, " You will all get as drunk as beasts before 
night." Drawing on the other boot and looking at it 
admiringly he replied, "Go round the tumbler and put 
up ten gallons!!" Undoubtedly the privates as well as 
the officers had something to help them in swallowing 
their fish, and if those boots were not a tight fit before 
night some of the officers were. At that time the Col- 
onel was keeping a store and hotel at North road, and it 
would not do for the reputation of that part of the town 
to be behind its rival, the South road. This store was 
on the opposite side of the road from his house and in 
1793 was the largest store in town. At that time there 
was much travel over this road, and to accommodate the 
public he opened his house as a tavern. He also had a 
potash manufactory, and "Gale's" was a busy place. 
While carrying on the tavern a traveler gave his daugh- 
ter Rebekah the small po.v, but Dr. Amos Gale carried 



588 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

the family safely through. The Colonel also erected an 
academy on the height of land west of his house, but 
the South road people got the better of him and the pro- 
ject was relinquished. He d. Aug. 29, 1812. He was 
very small in stature, but was smart, genial and warm 
hearted. 

13. Benjamin, b. May lo, 1772. (See.) 

14. Susannah, b. March 14, 1774; m. Oct. 14, 1794, David Merrill, of Sedgwick, Me. 

15. Hannah, b. May 13, 1779; m. Sept. 18, 1803, Daniel Weeks, of Portsmouth, 

and resided and died at Gilford. 

16. Rebekah, b. Aug. 31, 17S2; m. Oct. 28, 1804, Samuel Smith, of Corinth, Vt. 

17. John, b. July 21, 1784; m. — Smith, and removed to West Andover. 

18. Martha, b. July 20, 17S6; m. Dec. 27, 1S14, John Calef. ( See.) 

19. Jacob, b. April 31, 1789; m. Betsey Webster, and remained on the farm. He 

d. Sept. 3, 181 2. 

(13.) Benjamin possessed a speculative mind. His neighbors 
being poor and unable to own cows, Mr. Gale rented the 
animals to them at a stipulated price, with their increase. 
At the close of the last century cattle were very high, 
and from such rentals and sales he made the first pay- 
ment on his farm at Fairfa.x, Vt., which he purchased at 
the age of twenty-six for the sum of $2000. In 1799 he 
took up his first drov'e of cattle. He m. Jan. 13, 1801, 
Achsah Bailey, who was b. in Weare and d. in Salisbury 
July 7, 1848. In January, 1814, he returned to the 
homestead, carried on the store and farm, and d. Jan. 9, 
1822. 

20. Benjamin F., b. Nov. 3, 1801. ( See.) 

21. Rebekah, b. Sept. 17, 1S03; m. Feb. 7, 1825, {?) John J. Bryant, of Canterbury. 

Their only dau. m. — Hoag, and res. in Illinois. 

22. John C, b. Jan. 27, 1S09. ( See.) 

23. Sally, b. Nov. 27, 181 1, d. April 14, 1834, unm. 

Children b. in Salisbury: 

24. Jacob, b. Feb. 22, 18 14, fitted for college at the Salisbury 

Academy, and graduated at Dartmouth in 1833. The 
following year he removed to Peoria, 111. He read med- 
icine for a time, but lost courage when he came to see 
the misery to which the human race was subject and how 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY egg 

little, comparatively, physicians understood their high 
calling. At Peoria he was a merchant in 1834-5, ^'^fter- 
wards read law, was admitted to the bar, and made that 
city his home. In 1844 he became clerk of the Circuit 
Court, holding the office twelve years ; was elected judge 
of the Judicial Court in 1856, resigning after a year's 
service, when he was elected superintendent of the pub- 
lic schools. Bringing his extensive knowledge and ability 
to bear upon the schools under his charge, he laid the 
foundations of a system which is to-day one of the best 
in the west. At two periods he was chosen mayor of 
Peoria and held many other offices requiring ability, judg- 
ment and knowledge of men and public affairs. Judge 
Gale has led a very active and busy life, and is one of 
those rare, unassuming men, who have held office until 
they would no longer consent to serve in public life. In 
stature, temperament, liberality and public si^irit he 
resembled his grandfather. Married at Peoria, June 7, 
1S38, Charlotte, dau. of Dr. Peter Bartlett ; shed, in 1871.' 

25. Daniel Bartlett, b. March 30, 1816, worked on the farm 
until he was fourteen years old, receiving his education 
from the district school and the Salisbury Academy. In- 
tending to become a lawyer, he entered Meriden Acade- 
my to prepare for college, but a change having come 
over his mind he abandoned that idea and became a clerk 
in the store of Samuel C. Bartlett. A friend, who knew 
him well at that period, writes : "He was rather impul- 
sive, very affectionate in his nature, and more delicate 
in his constitution than his brothers, and on that account 
perhaps rather more the favorite of his mother. He 
was always, even in boyhood, perfectly correct in his de- 
portment, reliable in all he said and did, and was never 
guilty of any of those boyish tricks so common with 
young men, and by some considered almost necessary 
follies of youth. There was a small public library in 
Salisbury, from which he procured books, and he early 



590 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

acquired the habit of filling up his leisure time in read- 
ing. This habit continued ever after and made him a 
man of general information." In the meantime his 
brother Jacob had located at Peoria, 111., and when Dan- 
iel became of age Jacob was anxious to have him settle 
at that place. Having some money from his father's es- 
tate at his disposal Daniel purchased a stock of goods in 
Boston and shipped them by the way of New Orleans. 
Arriving at Peoria in March, 1838, he met Carlos S. 
Greeley, (see Greeley genealogy) who urged upon his 
young townsman the advantages to be derived at St. 
Louis as a business centre, and visited that city. As 
Mr. Greeley was just opening business there he sug- 
gested the formation of a partnership, offering to put in 
^2000 worth of goods, then on the way up the river. 
Mr. Gale accepting the proposition they went to a hotel 
and there arranged a business partnership and the gen- 
eral principles on which the business should be conduct- 
ed. This agreement was wholly verbal, and on the 28th 
of March, 1838, the firm of Greeley & Gale was organ- 
ized, without any written articles of co-partnership, and 
for the space of thirty-six years, during which the prin- 
.cipals were associated, they never found it necessary to 
change their original plan. Mr. Greeley says : " Mr. 
■Gale was a good, honest, working man, always ready to 
do his share of the hard work — and there was plenty of 
it for many long years. A more conscientious or correct 
man I never had the pleasure of knowing. I never 
knew him to fail in any capacity." Mr. Gale did not 
allow his time or capital to be squandered in outside in- 
vestments, while to all public enterprises he gave hearty 
and material support. P^or many years he was a director 
in several of the banks, and a large stockholder in the 
Kansas & Pacific Railroad. In company with Messrs. 
Greeley, John D. Perry, Joseph O'Neal, and others, he 
rendered to that great enterprise important financial aid. 
He was also an incorruptible representative of the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 59I 

seventh ward in the city council of St. Louis. Upon his 
death he was thus eulogized by the Union Merchants 
Exchange : " A gentleman of universally modest deport- 
ment, yet widely known and beloved, on account of the 
remarkable purity and benevolence of his character ; a 
merchant of sterling integrity, about whose name the 
most pleasant memories will forever cluster." Mr. Gale 
was a thoroughly benevolent man, and for many years an 
efficient worker in that noble charity, the Provident As- 
sociation, and was also a trustee and counselor in various 
charitable organizations. To the cause of education he 
gave freely, and at his death, which occurred on Sept. 
23, 1874, among other liberal benefactions, he devised a 
bequest of five thousand dollars to Shurtleff College, 
Upper Alton, 111., and an equal sum to the Girls Indus- 
trial Home, in St. Louis. On March 15, 1850, Mr. Gale 
was made a member of the second Baptist church, of St. 
Louis, and during the war was its treasurer, and used his 
private funds to preserve the credit of the church. He 
m. Feb. 3, 1842, Caroline E. Pettengill, of Salisbury. 
Children : Charles, Theodore P., Ella R., Arthur H., also 
George, Charles and George, who d. young. Theodore 
F. d. aged 21. Ella R. m. Charles W. Barstow, of St. 
Louis. 

26. Amos, b. Oct 28, 1818 ; died of consumption, at San Fran- 

cisco, Cal., March 27, 1867. A man of much business 
capacity, who experienced the ups and downs of this life 
most severely, but through indomitable perseverance suc- 
ceeded to affluence before his death. Unmarried. 

27. Stephen, b. Dec. 28, 1820; m. Sally Bailey, and has three 

sons and a daughter. To him the compiler is under 
obligations for facts furnished, notwithstanding which 
he has failed to give any information concerning him- 
self or his family. 

(20.) Benjamin Franklin m. (i) Lucy Pavere, of Andover, and 
removed to his father's farm in Vermont. Remaining 



592 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

there till 1838 he returned to Franklin and remained two 
years, and then returned to the homestead, where his 
wife d. in Nov., 1850; m. (2) May 11, 185 1, Susan Robie, 
of Andover ; he purchased the Woodbury Stevens farm, 
where he d. June 8, 1877, 

28. Benjamin, b. at Fairfax, Dec. 21, 1832, m. (i) Nov. i, 1S64, widow of Christo- 

pher Calef, nee Julia Weeks, d. May 3, 1S66; m. (2) Nov. 2, 1867, Mrs. A. 
F. Weeks; res. at Franklin. 

29. John, b. — m. — . A lawyer in California. 

30. Azro — d. in the army. 

31. George P., b. Nov. 28, 1849; m. June 10, 1S75, Lilla G. Farrington, of Frank- 

lin, where he is engaged in trade. 

32. Nancy, b. Jan. 16, 1840; m. July 30, i860, Woodbury Stevens. 
-T^y Mary, b. — ; removed to St. Louis, m. — Scudder. 

(22.) John Collins remained on the homestead and died while 
on a temporary visit to St. Louis, Oct. 1 1, 1839 5 "^^ June 

28, 1834, Emily Bailey, of Fletcher, Vt., who was b. June 

29, 1812. • After the death of her husband she m. Nov. 
15, 1840, Richard Pavere. Children by first husband : 

34. Francis, b. July 13, 1837; d. Feb. 14, 183S. 

35. Maria R., b. Feb. 3, 1S39; m. Thomas B. Clough; res. at Franklin Falls. 

Children by second husband: 
Richard Pavere, son of Richard and Nancy ( Simonds ) Pavere, b. at Andover, 
Nov. 6, 1815; remained on the Gale farm thirty-five years, then removed 
to North Boscawen, and there continues. Children all b. in Salisbury. 

36. Ellen S., b. July 25, 1841 ; m. Nov. 1867, H. M. Putney; res. at Manchester. 

37. Carlos G., b. Aug. 17, 1843 ! "^- ^'^^Y -5> 1S70, Ellen M. Edmonds, of Andover, 

where he is a merchant and postmaster. 

38. Edwin F., b. July 27, 1846; m. Oct. 30, 1881, Abbie Leavett, of Andover; res. 

at Manchester. 

39. Philmore N., b. Oct. 23, 1848. 40. Sarah A., b. March ii, 1851. 



THE GARLAND FAMILY. 

TWO BRANCHES. 

I. Ensign Moses came from the vicinity of Kingston, previ- 
ous to the revolutionary war, building a log house just west of 
the pound. The old well in what is now the road was dug by 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 593 

him. After the war closed he built the Dennis Lorden house, 
where he kept tavern for "man and beast." The tavern was on 
the old "College road," and he received a large patronage, es- 
pecially from the old soldiers, who made it a tarrying place 
where they could enjoy their "toddy," smoke, and tell over old 
war experiences. He cleared up the field in front of the house, 
built a log fort and had a muster field for sham fights, Indian 
"pow-wows" and athletic sports. The Ensign served in Rog- 
ers's Rangers throughout the revolutionary war. ( See chapter 
on Wars.) He died Nov^ 13, 1833, aged 88; his wife was Me- 
hitable Sleeper, who d. June 13, 1821, aged y8. 



Jonathan. ( See.) 3. Moses. ( See.) 4. Joseph. ( See.) 5. Mehitable, m. 

April ID, 17SS, Jeremiah Bean. 
Lydia, m. Joseph Garland, and resided in Hooksett. 
Hannah, b. Sept. 5, 1767; m. Feb. 5, 17S6, Jonathan Calef. (See.) 
Betsey, d. Oct. i, 1S47, unm. 
Asenath, m. Daniel Calef; she d May 29, 1S65. 
Dorcas, m. Folsom Bean. 
Mary, m. Richard Currier, of Hanover; she died in 1S75. 

(2.) Jonathan built the Nicholas Wallace house, removed to 
Hanover, and d. June 23, 1874, aged 89; m. Dec. 25, 
1 8 14, Susan Green, who d. Aug. 15, 1873, aged 80. 

12. Mary M., b. June 13, 1S15; m. William Bean. 

13. Lucia A., b. Jan. 22, 1817; m. M. P. Thompson. (See.) 

14. Susan, b. May 29, 1819; d. July 30, 1S22. 

15. Jonathan S., b. March 31, 1S23, and married at Lexington, Mass., April 16, 

1848, Julia A. Stoddard, b. at Woburn, Mass., May 16, 1829; res. there» 

16. John M., b. Dec. 25, 1825; d. July 26, 1832. He removed to Canada and 

died there. 

(3.) Moses removed here from Canada, where he lived for some 
time; m. Dec. 31, 1800, Hannah Hackett. 

17. Hannah, b. Oct. 17, 1801 ; m. — Samuel Flanders and lived in Enfield. 

18. Asenath, b. Sept. 18, 1S03; m. John Pool. She died in California. 

19. Enoch O., b. Jan. 10, 1805; m. Mary Pastor, of Andover. He died in Cali- 

fornia. 

20. Ruth, b. March 7, 1806; m. Joshua Bufham. They res. in Wilmanton, Mass. 

21. Sarah, b. Dec. 4, 1S08 ; m. Josiah Marston ; he died and she res. at Bridge- 

water. 

22. Joseph H., b. Feb. 27, iSio; m. Lorinda Carter, and res. at Canaan. 

39 



594 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

23. Moses, b. May 10, 1S13; m. Oct. iS, 1852, Mary E. Kingsbury, of Newton, 
Mass. ; res. at Tilton, N. H., where he d. Nov. 3, 1887. 
4. Harriet, b. April 14, 1818; d. unm. 

(4.) Joseph lived just north of Sanborn Shaw's, on Raccoon 
hill ; he m. Ruth Elkins. 

25. Darwin. 26. Jerome. Both removed west. 27. Moses. 28. Joseph. 

29. Judith, m. — Gilbert. 30. Mehitable, m. — Mathews. 

31. Mary, m. — Merrill, and res. in Massachusetts. 

32. Eliza, m. — Read. 

SECOND BRANCH. 

I. Jacob Garland, a cousin to Ensign Moses, was a cooper 
by trade. He served at Bennington and in other hard- 
fought battles of the revolution. Little else is known of 
him; m. Betsey Pettengill, who d. July 18, 1818, aged 
75 ; he d. Sept. 30, 1797, aged 59. 

2. Joseph, settled in the town named in his honor. Garland, Me.; d. — 

3. Jacob, lived and died in Bangor, Me. 

4. James, b. in 1775. (See.) 

5. Benjamin, b. June 13, 1777; m. (i) Feb. 3, 1807, Betsey Quimby ; m. (2) 

Elizabeth — . He built the Franklin House, at Bangor, Me.; d. — 

6. Elizabeth, m. (i) — ; m (2) Humphrey Webster, then of Plymouth. (See.) 

7. Hannah, m. March 14, 1788, Jonathan Dickerson, Esq., of 
New Chester, (Hill.) Five children blessed their mar- 
riage, four of which are dead. To the surviving member 
of this family, Kendrick R., of Grenville, Iowa, the com- 
piler acknowledges indebtedness for some facts concern- 
ing this family. 

8. Mehitable, m. Ebenezer Tenney. 

9. Sally, m. Jan. 3, 1792; Moses Tenney. 

10. Jane, b. June 13, 1778; m. (i) Samuel Greeley; d. at Garland, Me., May 

23, 1832; m. (3) Dea. Amos Pettengill; she d. Feb. 27, 1S35. 

11. Polly, m. Phillip Greeky 

(4.) James built the O. K. Moore tavern stand, in what is now 
Franklin, renting the front part of the house to John 
Cavender, who built a cooper shop just north of the 
house. Mr. Garland had the first carding machine in 
that part of the town. He d. July 14, 1856, aged 81 ; 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 595 

m. (i) Sept. 22, 1804, Jane Greeley, who d. Nov. 14, 
1 8 18; m. (2) Dec. 28, 18 19, Lydia, dau. of Jacob True, 
(see) who d. April 5, 1866, aged 84. 

12. Frank, removed to St. Louis, Mo. 

13. Charles, m. widow Jane L. Sanborn. He d. March 2, 1S79, aged 65; shed. 

Aug. 15, iSSo. 

14. Persis, m. James .Smith; she resided at .St. Louis, Mo. 

15. Rosalina, d. March 16, 1S26, aged 16. 

16. Sophia, m. Rev. Winthrop Fifield. ( See.) She d. Nov. 19, 1836. 

17. Cereila E., m. Oct. 9, 1824, Joshua Rogers, of Sutton. 



THE GEORGE FAMILY. 

THREE BRANCHES. 

I. Stephen was a native of Salisbury, Mass., removed here 
previous to 1796, and built the house north of Sylvanus Web- 
ster's, and was a carpenter by trade. In building the barn of 
William H. Moulton he fell from the ridgepole, receiving injur- 
ies from which he died, in June, 1821, having been a sufferer 
for eight months. He married. May 8, 1792, Mrs. Eunice Mor- 
rill, of Salisbury, Mass., who died — 

2. Amos, m. (i) Dec. 25, 1S17, Nancy Dunlap, and d. at West Newbury, Mass. ; 

m. (2) — ; he conducted the town poor farm at Franklin for a number of 
years ; removed to Concord, and d. in Connecticut. 

3. True, b. in Salisbury, Feb. 25, 1797. ( See.) 

4. Stephen, — d. aged iS years. 

5. Axy, — m. Dec. 21, 1S24, Daniel Andrews, and removed to Maine where he 

d. She returned to Franklin and there d. 

6. Ursula, m. Oct. 8, 1S22, Benj. .Sanborn; d. March 2, 1S65, aged 64. 

7." Eunice, b. Aug. 15, 1S05; m. March 4, 1851, Robert Thompson, of Warner, 

and resides there. 
8. Jonathan, b. Oct iS, iSoS; m. — 1S32, Mary Hill, of Warner, a sister of Dr. 

Moses Hill, (see physicians); res. in Concord. 

(3.) Capt. True learned the trade of a tanner and currier with 
his neighbor, Reuben True. He built the house now 
occupied by B. V. Heath, north and east of which he put 
in a tannery on the "George brook," where he did a 



596 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

successful business. While in Maine on business the 
great August freshet occurred, (1826) when his dam gave 
way, washing out his tannery pits and carrying the hides 
and leather into the Blackwater river. The works were 
never rebuilt. In 1841 he was appointed a justice of the 
peace, and held that office through life. Pleasant, capa- 
ble and honest in his dealings, he held at various times 
all the town offices, and for fifteen years was moderator 
at our annual town meetings. In 1843-4 he was chosen 
county treasurer ; in 1846 he was appointed road com- 
missioner, serving two years, and was also for a number 
of years deputy sheriff. In politics he was a democrat. 
On his appointment as keeper of the county jail he re- 
moved to Concord and there died, Sept. 21, 1875 ; he m. 
Dec. 31, 1819, Elizabeth Calef, of Lyman, Me., who was 
b. July 8, 1795, and d. Sept. 30, 1879. 

9. Elizabeth H., b. Nov. 15, 1S20; m. Dec. 22, 1842, William B. Parsons. (See.) 

10. Mary C, b. April 27, 1822; ni. Isaac Flanders; d. July 12, 1S75. 

11. Lucy F., b. Nov. 10, 1823; m. Aug. 5, 1843, John S. Russ, and resides at 

Concord. 

12. Erastus, b. Dec. 17, 1S25 ; m. April 16, 1850, Mattie Clark. He died at Og. 

densburg, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1863 ; she d. in Vermont. 

13. Nancy C, b. Dec. 8, 1827; m. July 27, 1850, George Fitch; res. at Concord. 

14. Jane C, b. Aug. 24, 1S30; d. Nov. 18, 1832. 

15. EdsonC.b. July 4, 1833; m. (i) Frankie McQuestion ; m. (2) — res. in Kentucky. 

16. Austin F., b. March 31, 1837 ; d. Sept. 12, 1837. 

SECOND BRANCH. 

17. Samuel C. George, son of Ezra, and brother of Ezra and 

Levi S., (see below) and cousin to Stephen, (i) was b. at 
Haverhill, Mass., April 16, 1786. After serving an ap- 
prenticeship at the "carpenters and builders'" trade he 
removed to Salisbury, settling at the lower village, ( Or- 
phans Home, Franklin,) building the house now occu- 
pied by Henry W. Burleigh, where he died Nov. 5, 1861. 
On account of his honesty and faithful workmanship he 
was nicknamed "Deacon." Most of the buildings in 
that vicinity were built under his supervision. He m. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 597 

• Oct. 8, 1807, Susannah, (Sukey) dau. of Nathaniel Mor- 
rill, who was a son of Henry, a son of Henry the son of 
Ezekiel, the first of the Morrill families who settled in 
Sanbornton. She was b. Dec. 14, 1788, and d. April 5, 
1864. 

18. Prescott, b. April i8, 1S09; d. May 21, iSio. 

19. Nathaniel, b. Sept. 11, 1810; m. Sept. 21, 1834, Margaret M. Andrews; d. 

Sept. 21, 1831. 

20. Samuel C, b. May 14, 1S12; d. April 13, 1S43. 

21. Eliza A., b. June 24, 1814; m. Oct. 6, 1S35, ^^leb P. Smith. (See.) She d. 

March 20, 1847. 

22. Susan, b. April 23, 1S16; m. Feb. 28, 1842, Galutia Heath; d. April 6, 1850. 

23. Cynthia, b. March 21, i8iS ; m. Oct. 3, 1836, Joshua Heath; he d. Oct. 3, 

1S51 ; m. {2) April 16, 1853, M. S. Stevens, who d. Feb. 11, 1857. 

24. Charles F., b March 25, 1S20; d Jan. 9, 1827. 

25. William B., b. Feb. 21, 1S22 ; m. Aug. 12, 1845, Eliza D. Riggs; d. March 

10, iSSi. 

26. Ezra, b. Oct 27, 1823; m. July 15, 1845, Amanda Mclntire; d. Aug. 25, 1853. 

27. Alfred K., b Jan. 31, 1826; m. March 18, 1853, Kate Hughes ; d. May 13, 1856. 

28. Mary N., b. July 3, 1829 ; d. Feb. 19, 1849. 

29. Catherine B., b. May 2, 1S31 ; m. Dec. 14, 1854, Wallace Burleigh. (See.) 



THIRD BRANCH. 

30. Col. Levi S. George (see above) came here previous to 

1796, resided for a time at the lower village, (Orphans 
Home, Franklin,) thence to the Centre road and after- 
wards to Canaan. He m. (i) Sept. 13, 1790, Polly, dau. 
of Benjamin Pettengill, (see) ; m. (2) Oct. 25, 1814, Bet- 
sey Sanborn. Children by first wife, born here : 

31. Polly, b. March 24, 1792. 32. Betsey, b. ¥eh. 13, 1793. 
33. Hannah, b. June 2, 1795. 34. Pemerton, b June 15, 1797. 
35. Kimball, — . 36. Clifton. 

.37. Henry C, m. Dec. 28, 1842, Mary J. Calef. 

Children by second wife: 
38. Nancy, b. Jan. 14, 1815. 39. Levi W., b. A\n\] 4, 1S16. 



59^ HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



THE GOOKIN FAMILY. 

The earliest known was Arnold Gookin, (spelled Gookinge) 
a resident of the county of Kent, England, early in the i6th 
century. His son Thomas was a resident of Beakesborne, 
Kent, and his grandson dwelt at the manor of Repple Court, 
At this time the family was wealthy and of considerable conse- 
quence. John Gookin married Catharine Dennie, whose family 
was among the oldest and best in England. Arnold Gookin's 
sons became possessed of the spirit of adventure ; Daniel and 
Vincent (whose son Vincent was the author of the great case, 
"Transplantation in Ireland Discussed,") removing to Ireland, 
where they took up large tracts of land. Daniel removed to 
Virginia in 162 1, coming to New England in 1644. 

1. Nathaniel, b. at Hampton, (?) Feb. 22, 1742. David Carter 

Gookin says : " Grandfather when a young man worked 
in a shipyard at Newburyport, Mass." He may have 
been born there, as the entry of his birth is not found on 
the Hampton records. Jan. 18, 1766, he m. Mary Clark, 
of Newburyport, who was b. Jan. 7, 1742, and d. Dec. 17, 
183 1. By occupation he was a farmer and early removed 
to Boscawen, settling on Water street; he d. Nov. 18, 
1825. 

2. Samuel, b. Aug. 25, 1767 ; m. — . He kept the first store in what is now Web- 

ster, as early as 1794. 

3. Sarah, b. July 18, 1769; m. June 30, 1789, Stephen Corser. She d. April 26, 

1793- 

4. Daniel, b. Dec. 28, 1770. 

5. Betsey, b. Sept. 14, 1772; m. Joseph March. 

6. Mary, b. Sept. 3, 1774; m. Samuel Elliott, of Boscawen. 

7. Nicholas, b. Jan. 16, 1776; d. May 29, 1848, unm. 

8. Pelatiah, b. June 7, 1778. ( See.) 

9. Mercy, b. April 29, 1780 ; d. young. 

10. Anne, and 1 1, Moses, ( twins ) b. May 6, 1782. Anne m. Thomas Carter, of Bos- 
cawen, ( Webster.) 

12. Abigail, b. Jan. 6, 1784; d. Nov. 16, 1856, unm. 

13. Benjamin S., b. April 21, 17S6. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 599 

(8.) Pelatiah was by trade a clothier, following that occupation 
at Sweatt's mills, residing for a time at Warner. In 
May, 1834, he removed to West Salisbury with his fam- 
ily, settling in the house now occupied by Mrs. Cyrus 
Gookin. He d. in the William Dunlap house, March 3, 
1858; m. (i) Martha, dau. of David and Dorcas (Fitz- 
gerald) Carter, who was b. Aug. 25, 1781, and d. Jan. 24, 
1844; m. (2) Sept. 18, 1850, Belinda, widow of Joshua 
Wood, who was a dau. of George and Hannah (Spencer) 
Latimer, of Woodstock, Vt., and who was b. Feb. 10, 
1790, and d. Sept. 3, 1861. 

14. Daniel C, b. in Warner, Nov. 2, 1799. (See.) 

15. Cyrus, b. Aug. 22, 1802. ( See.) 

16. Flora, b June 22, 1812; m. Oct. 6, 1831, James F. Sargent, M. D., of Concord, 

who resided there and d. — . She d. at Concord, June 13, i888. 

17. Mary C, b. July i, 1836; d. June 30, 1S54, unm. 

(14.) David Carter, by occupation a cloth manufacturer and 
miller. In 1820 he removed to what is now Webster 
and engaged in the cloth-dressing business. In May, 
1833, he removed to Salisbury, (although still owning a 
mill in Webster, with his brother Cyrus,) bought out the 
Dunlap mill, and with Cyrus built the present John Shaw 
mill, which was completed in the following November. 
They industriously prosecuted the flouring, grist, and 
saw mills for many years. The flour mill had a wide 
reputation, not only for the good quality of flour made 
but for the small waste and large capacity for grinding. 
While a resident of Webster he professed religion, was 
baptised by Elder David Harriman, and on his arrival 
here associated himself with the Christian church, of 
which he was a deacon for over forty years. From 1841 
to 1864 he held the office of coroner. In Nov., 1850, he 
was appointed a justice of the peace, and also held offices 
of trust in his adopted town. In Dec, 1875, he removed 
to Franklin, where he d. Oct. 27, 1880; m. (r) Dec. 6, 
18 19, Nancy Stanley, dau. of Moses Carlton, of Webster, 
who was b. Oct. 16, 1800, and d. June 21, 1S51 ; m. (2) 



600 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Feb. 7, 1852, Abby, dau. of. Josiah and Belinda (Latimer) 
Wood, who resides at Franklin. 

18. Martha C, b. July 3, 1820; m. Nov. 25, 1841, William H. Huntoon, who d. at 

Newport, June 19, 1875; "^- (2) Charles C. Davis, and res. at Franklin. 

19. Alfred H., b. July 12, 1826; d. Dec. 5, 1826. 

20. Emma W., b. Dec. 14, 1S53; d. Jan. 18, 1858. 

21. Amelia W., b. Dec. iS, 1855; m. 1880, Elbridge Thompson; res. at Franklin. 

(15.) Cyrus (see 14) was an extensive land owner and oper- 
ated the sawmill alluded to above. He was an influen- 
tial, energetic and successful business man. Dec. 21, 
1841, he was made a justice of the peace and held the 
office through life. For fourteen years he was modera- 
tor of our town meetings, selectman five years, and rep- 
resentative to the legislature in 1842-3. In 1857 he and 
William Dunlap built the present store, where he was a 
successful merchant. He d. Dec. 10, 1873 ; m. May 15, 
1832, Martha, dau. of Jeremiah and Rebekah (Corser) 
Eastman, who was b. at Webster, Feb. 5, 18 11. 

22. Hamilton, b. March 5, 1833. ( See.) 

23. Frank, b. Sept. 18, 1843; ^- ^^S- --> 1S47. 

24. Flora, b. May 13, 1849; ni- May, 3, 1870, Francis C. Shaw, and res. at Hill. 

25. Myra, b. May, 11, 1852. 

26. Georgianna, b. Sept. 8, 1854, m. Oct. 12, 187S, F. S. Sargent; res. at Exeter. 

(22.) Hamilton is a wheelwright by trade, and runs the saw- 
mill. He built the first "silo" in this state ; m. Oct. 22, 
1855, Mary, dau. of Nathan Tucker. 

27. Isabel M., b. July 18, 1856. 28. Cyrus F., b. April 28, 1858. 
29. Abbie M., b. March 22, i860. 30. Martha J., b. Dec. 15, 1S62. 
31. Frank, b. Feb. 2, 1866. 32. Guy, b. Feb. 5, 1869. 



THE GRAVES FAMILY. 

Arthur L., son of Jeremiah and Mehitable (Thompson) 
Graves, both of whom were natives of South Hampton, 
was b. at Meredith, July 15, 1815 ; m. April 3, 1842, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 60I 

Lucy B., dau. of Dea. William Parsons. (See.) He built 
the house where he resided at Parsons corner. By trade 
he was a sign and carriage painter, but soon after his 
removal here he purchased the Herschel D. Green mill, 
which he converted into a wood-turning shop, where he 
made various articles. Two years previous to his death 
he and a Mr. Sleeper purchased a planing mill at Frank- 
lin, where they continued business under the firm name 
of Sleeper & Graves, Mr. Graves retaining his residence 
in Salisbury. In politics Mr. Graves was a republican, 
and sought all honorable means to convert men to his 
political belief. As a business man he was capable and 
honest in all his dealings. He possessed a fine tenor 
voice and for a number of years he led the church choir 
and gave instruction in vocal music. In 1858 he was 
elected county treasurer, holding the position two years. 
Was U. S. assistant assessor for upwards of seven years, 
and at the time of his death was a member of the repub- 
lican state central committee. Was appointed justice of 
the peace, Sept. 18, 1852, and made a state justice in 
1858 ; he d. of heart disease, Aug. 26, 1874. 

Helen J., b. Nov. 9, 1S43; m. Oct. 27, 1S6S, Frank \V. Durgin, of Andover, 

and d. in iSSS at West Lebanon. 
Willie, b. Nov. 8, 1847; m. June 27, 1S83, Marian IL Corbitt. He is a 

composer and professor of music at the North-Western University, Ev- 

anston, 111. 
Lucy P., b. March 30, 1S52 ; m. — Charles W. Dow; res. at Melrose, Mass. 



THE GREEN FAAHLY. 

Capt. Josiah, son of Josiah and Esther Green, was born in 
Stoneham, Mass., March 5, 1735 ; married (i) i" 1757, P31iza- 
beth, dau. of Josiah and Sarah Green, by whom he had eight 
children ; she d. Oct. 27, 1798; m. (2) Ann Skinner, of Stone- 
ham, by whom he had eight children ; he died July 31, 18 14. 



602 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

I. Capt. Josiah Green, son of the above by his first wife, was 

b. Feb. 24, 1768; m. Nov. 19, 1789, Susannah, dau. of 
John and Susannah (Wright) Buckman, of Stoneham ; 
she d. Feb. 25, 1848, aged 79. Capt. Green removed 
from his native town to Salisbury Centre road, in 1800, 
and soon after went into business, the firm being Smith, 
Green & Co. (See merchants.) In 1808 he sold out to 
the junior member of the firm, Elisha Perkins. Soon 
after his removal here he became connected with the 
Baptist church, and through life was one of its most 
prominent and useful members. He d. June 4, 1846. 

Josiah, b. May 25, 1790. ( See.) 3. Joshua, b. Nov., 1791 ; d. Jan. 9, 1796. 
Susan A., b. Aug. 5, 1793; m. Dec. 25, 1814, Jonathan Garland. (See.) She 
d. Aug. 15, 1873. 

5. Herschel D., b. Dec. 9, 1795. ( ^^^•) 

6. Roxallana, b. May i, 1798 ; m. March 24, 1825, Isaac Bailey, 3d, of Hopkin- 

ton; she d. Aug. 17, 1S27. 
Joshua T., b. Aug. 7, 1800. 
Clarissa H., b. Oct. 10, 1802; m. Oct. 11, 1S24, Deacon Reuben Pettengill, 

and res. at Ogden, N. Y. 
Ann G., b. Feb. 20, 1806; m. Oct. 7, 1S30, Isaac Bailey, 3d, of Ilopkinton. 

He d. here Jan. 3, 1868; she died Oct. 20, 1885. 
Emily A., b. Oct. 22, 1808 ; m. Jesse Martin, of Canaan, and d. Nov. 4, 1870. 

II. Nathan B., b. Aug. 11, 1810; m. Lucy Davis, of Grafton, 

where he was for some years a merchant. He subse- 
quently became a prominent railroad builder, settled at 
Pennacook, and d. Aug. 17, 1872, from the effects of a 
blow inflicted by a runaway horse. He had three child- 
ren ; the eldest m. Mr. Harris, the large woolen manu- 
facturer, of Pennacook, who d. — ; he afterwards m. the 
youngest, Kate, (i*) 

(2.) Josiah, at the age of fourteen, went to South Reading, 
(now Wakefield, Mass.,) where he served during his min- 
ority in learning the carpenter and builder's trade, then 
returned to Salisbury and followed his trade, building a 
number of houses at the Centre, among which was the 
Mrs. Isaac Bailey house, in which he resided for a few 
years. He removed thence to the homestead, opposite 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 603 

to which, in 1820, he opened a store and was in trade 
until 1840, although some years previous he followed the 
occupation of clock repairing, in which he gained a great 
reputation. Like his father he was connected with the 
Baptist church, shouldered many of its debts, and gave 
much to charitable purposes. He d. Feb. 22, 1866; m. 
(i) Jan. 21, 1817, Clarissa Sweetser, who d. March 22, 
1848, aged 56 ; m. (2) widow Blake ; m. (3) widow Ruth 
J. Silver. 

12. Josiah B., b. Sept. 20, 1818. (See.) 

13. Elizabeth S., b. July 2, 1820; m. Nov. 30, 1S43, William F. Elliott, and res. at 

Meredith. 

14. Sylvester W., b. Dec. 2, 1S23. (See.) 15. Alvin S., b. March 15, 1S27. 

16. William E., b. Dec. 30, 1S2S; m. Mary L. Currier, of Hopkinton ; d. aged 25 

1 866. 

(5.) Herschel D. learned the trade of a tanner and currier. 
With the assistance of his father he built the dam on 
Meadow or Beaver Dam brook, on the centre rangeway, 
where he put in a tannery and in addition built a grist- 
mill, where for many years much business was done. 
He resided in the house south of the mill, where he d. 
June 6, 1875 ; m. (i) Nov. 26, 1821, Phebe, dau, of Joseph 
and Sarah (Pillsbury) Couch, who d. Sept. 22, 1854, aged 
56; m. {2) Nov. I, 1857, Dorothy Ross, of Gilmanton, 
who d. Oct. II, 1859, ^g^cl 54; m. (3) Jan. 17, 1865, Mrs. 
Maria Keekin, of Dover. Children by first wife : 

17. Joseph C, b. Nov. 28, 1S22; m. March 7, 1S66, Martha H. Swallow, of Al- 

bany, N. Y. She d. at Buffalo, Jan. 28, 1873, aged ^2. He res. at Tan- 
nando, N. Y. 

18. Charles F., b. July i, 1S25; m. April 9, 1854, Catherine M., dau. of Rufus 

and Hannah ( Dow ) Fuller, ( and a sister of Moses B. Calef's wife ) of 
Francestown. One son, Charles A., b. Dec 15, 1854. 

19. Alfred B., b. Jan. 5, 1827 ; m. July 2S, 1S51, Mary J. Bridgman, of Dorchester- 

She d. July 2S, 1S62, aged ^^■, m. {:) Sept. 5, 1S64, Sarah B. French, of 
Greenfield, and removed to .Michigan, in March, 1S66, residing at Nunica, 
Children b. in Salisbury: i. Samuel N., b. 1S52, d. 1S54. it. Alfred N., 
— . III. Emma C, b. Feb. 9, 1854. iv. Alfred N., b. Jan. 27, 1859, 
V. Edgar E., b. July 14, 1861 ; d. Sept. 7, 1S62. 

20. Samuel E., b. May 14, 1833; d. Sept. 16, 1834. 



604 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

21. Phebe J., b. Feb. 8, 1S37 ; m. July 4, 1S71, John L. Spencer. She d. Sept. 

(7.) Joshua F., (Capt.) Like his paternal ancestor he was a 
Captain in the old state militia. By occupation he was 
a cattle and sheep drovier, being somewhat celebrated 
for the large flocks of cattle and sheep which he drove 
to Brighton market. He resided in the house now (1883) 
occupied by Mr. M. B. Calef, and d. Oct. 5, 1835 ; m. 
July 10, 1833, Ann W. Sanborn, of Sanbornton, who d. — 

22. John, res. in Montana. 23. Joshua T., d. Nov. 3, 1S37. 

(12.) Josiah Buckman is of the fourth generation bearing the 
name of Josiah. Nov. 13, 1849, in company with his 
younger brother, Sylvester W., he left New York in the 
steamer Crescent City for California, arriving at San 
Francisco Dec. 31 following. Remaining about the 
place some two months, they purchased their "packs," 
and started up the Sacramento river into the wilderness, 
taking up some two hundred acres of what was known 
as "swamp and overflow" land. After a while the 
younger brother returned, Joshua still remaining on the 
land which he cleared up, and putting in the first crop. 
This location was in Richland, Sacramento county, 25 
miles below Sacramento city, and 125 miles up the river 
from San Francisco. His farm now comprises two 
thousand acres of cultivated land; situated on a large is- 
land, and on the land adjoining the river, where he has 
large wharves, buildings, and all needed appliances for 
conducting his extensive business, which is the raising 
of peaches and plums, grass and dairy products. In the 
season of 1881 he shipped 29,153 baskets of peaches and 
plums, equal to 13,076 bushels; sold $7,000 worth of 
butter, cut 1000 tons of cultivated grass, and raised 
5000 bushels of barley. His income for 1881 was $25,- 
000 and was increasing at the rate of $5000 a season, 
not taking into account the extensive improvements. 
He m. Nov. 27, 1847, Caroline P., dau. of — Children: 




c//€^ f- ^ ^^.^^^^- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 605 

I. George B., b. March 4, 1849; m. Jan. i, 1875, Alice 
M. Stanley. 11. Lester D., b. June 2, 1854; m. Jan. 3, 
1878, Mary N. McDonnell, in. Albert S., b. Jan. 24, 
1857; d. Jan. 2, 1869. IV. Frank H., b. Jan. 7, 1861 ; 
d. June 17, 1863. 

(14) Sylvester Walker (see 12) prefers a New England home 
and remains on the homestead, following his father's 
trade of clock repairing, in which he enjoys a most ex- 
cellent reputation throughout central New Hampshire. 
He m. Sept. 12, 1867, Susan E., dau. of Moses P. Thomp- 
son. (See.) 

24. William K., b. April 24, 1S71. 25. Albert T., b. June 30, 1S74. 
26. Arthur A., b. July 23, 1877. 



THE GREENOUGH FAMILY. 

FIRST BRANCH. 

I. Richard removed to Salisbury from Plaistow, about 1780, 
clearing up the farm afterwards occupied by Reuben Greeley. 
By trade he was a wheelwright and it is said he built the first 
thorough-brace wagons used in town. He was a very ingenious 
man and made improvements upon many of the farming imple- 
ments. He d. at South road village, Nov. 17, 1834, aged 88; 
m. (i) Elizabeth Hoag, who d. Dec. 25, 1810; m. (2) June 23, 
181 1, Susannah Shirley, who d. Dec. 7, 1848, aged 82. 

2. Kobe/t. ( See.) 3. James. 4. Ezra ; both removed to New Vork. 

5. Moses, b. — ; d. — ; uiim. 

6. l?racket, b. — ; m. dau. of Jesse Stevens. He followed the wheelwright busi- 

ness at Lebanon; d. at Bristol. 

7. Ira, b. — ; followed the wheelwright trade in the John Bagley house, at South 

road; m. — ; removed to — 

8. John, — d. at Springfield. He was 6 feet 4 inches tall and very strong. 

9. Charles, m. intention published Oct., 1S03, to Khoda Thorla, of Boscawen, and 

rem. to New Vork. One of his children, Sophronia, m. F'eb, 2S, 1826, 
Tenas Horton, a butcher by occupation. 
10. Hepscy, m. — Pillsbury, d. at Springfield. 11. Hannah, rem. to Xcw Vork. 



'6o6 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

12. Edna, m. — Severance, and rem. to Canada. 13. Betsey, d. in New York. 

14. Agnes, m. (i) Amos Fifield; m. (2) Dudley Cram. 

15. Samuel, served in the 1812 war; m. Sarah Norris and removed to Michigan. 

16. Daniel, (?) 

(2.) Robert removed to South road, built the E. P. Eastman 
house, and had his carriage shop north of the house. 
He was one of the first who built coaches, the construc- 
tion of which was for a long time kept secret. Samuel 
Greenleaf, being a prominent man of the place, was ad- 
mitted to the shop, and after asking a number of ques- 
tions of a workman he was finally told that "fools and 
children should not ask questions." He had one daugh- 
ter, Sukey ; the family removed to Lebanon. 

SECOND BRANCH. 

17. Elbridge Flagg Greenough, son of John and Nancy (Fos- 

ter) Greenough, was b. at Canterbury, Feb. 30, 1808. 
He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1828, read law 
with Ezekiel Webster, Richard Fletcher, of Salisbury, 
and Ebenezer Greenough, of Sudbury, Pa., where he be- 
gan practice, remaining six years. He removed to Sal- 
isbury in the autumn of 1842, and was in trade in a store 
owned by — Moulton. Some years after he built what 
is known as the Greenough store, where he carried on 
trade and also practiced his profession. In the autumn 
of i860 he removed to Nauseon, Ohio, where he d. in 
1875 ; m. June 14, — Elizabeh R., dau. of Moses East- 
man. Children : i. Charles F., b. in Salisbury, July 29, 
1849; read law with his father and was admitted to the 
bar at Nauseon, Ohio, in July, 1872. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 607 



THE GREELEY FAMILY. 

COMPILED BY MRS. ABBIE S. BROW^f. 

Three brothers, named Greeley, (spelled five different ways) 
^emigrated to America in 1640. One settled in Maine, where 
he has many descendants, another in Rhode Island, where he 
soon died, and the third, named Andrew, in Salisbury, Mass. 
He married Mary — ; their children were, Philip, born in 1644; 
Andrew, born in 1646; Joseph, born in 1652, and Benjamin, 
born in 1654. 

I. David Greeley, of Salisbury, Mass., owned considerable 
land in Salisbury, N. H., to which place four of his sons 
came. 

2. Shubal, (See.) 3. Richard. (See.) 4. Benjamin. (See.) 

5. John, came in 1757, but returned in two years, being dissatisfied. 

(2.) Shubal, b. in 1730, came to Salisbury in 1757 ; m. Nov. 9, 
1758, Hannah Pettengill ; settled and built the house 
known as the town poor house. He was a man of 
means and had a very large family ; d. in Salisbury in 
1 8 14. 



Martha, b. Dec. 3, 1759. (See.) 

Mary, b. Dec. 18, 1760; m. Jon. Foster, and lived in Lebanon. 

David, b. April 5, 1762; d. Aug. 5, 17S3. 

Betsey, b July 27, 1764; m. James Hazard, and lived and d. at Springfield. 

Sarah, b. Oct. 11, 1765; m. Richard Foster, lived and d. in Salisbury. 

Miriam, b. April 5, 1767; m. Noah Harriman, and d. at Garland, Me. 

Hannah, b. Jan. 16, 1769; m. (i) June 29, 17S6, Xathan Parker; m. (2.) Dec. 

6, 1792, Daniel Flanders, and d. at Dorchester. 
Jonathan, b. Dec. 23, 1770; d. April 15, 1771. 

Jonathan, b. Jan. 23, 1773; m. Sarah Sawyer, and lived at Hanover. 
Samuel, b. June 22, 1775. ( See) 

Lucy, b. Jan. 17, 1777, m. Jeremiah Morrill, and lived and d. at Kingston. 
Rebekah, b. Oct. 30, 1779; m. George Fullington, and lived at Fairfax, V^t. 
Jane, b. Aug. 30, 17S0; m. (i) Jacob True; he d. April 23, 1S16; m. (2) Oct. 

29, iSiS, Jonathan Dickerson ; she d. Sept. 30, 1S45. 
Philip, b. Feb. 22, 17S3; m. Mary Garland, and lived and d. at Garland, Me. 

They had six children. He was thrown from a horse and killed. 
David, b. Feb. 12, 17^5; m. Judith Pattee, and lived and d. at I over. 111. 



6o8 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

21. Abigail, b. June lo, 1787; rn. (2) Dr. Benj. Loverin, of 

Salisbury ; he attended lectures at the Dartmouth Med- 
ical School, and removed to Sutton, where he practiced 
successfully, and d. July 25, 1825 ; m. (2) Joseph Pills- 
bury ; she d. Sept. 17, 1871, 

(3.) Richard, b. in Salisbury, Mass., about 1736; came to Sal- 
isbury in 1757, settled at the North road, and built the 
house now occupied by Daniel Moore; m. (i) — ; m. (2) 
— ; he was a shoemaker and was killed by the kick of a 
horse, about 1806. Children: 

22. Abigail, b. 1772; m. Samuel Jedkins. He was b. 1766, and d. Feb. 21, 1S43; 

she d. Feb. 6, 1858, aged 86. 

23. Col. John, b. in 1775 ; m. Sept. 5, 1793, Sarah Greeley, of 

Hopkinton. He was in command of the 21st regiment 
of N. H. militia, in 1820. He removed to No. 8, Maine, 
before 1828; had five children; moved to Minnesota 
and d. there in 1855. 

(4.) Benjamin, Jr., b. Dec. 30, 1749, came to Salisbury in 1772. 
He received a deed from his father, Sept. 26, 1773, which 
reads as follows : " In ye thirteenth year of his Majes- 
tie's Reign Geo. ye third, in consideration of ye sum of 
ten pounds, 60 acres of land lying in ye north end of 
South Range No. 72." He built the house now owned 
by John Corson ; m. in 1772, Lydia, dau. of Ezekiel True, 
who was b. in Salisbury, Mass., Dec. 15, 1750; he moved 
his family Oct. i, 1774, consisting of his wife and one 
daughter, on horseback. His wife brought a pear in her 
pocket, from the seeds of which grew the first pear tree 
in town. They were people of piety and liberal to the 
poor. She d. June 19, 1834; he d. Dec. 13, 1827. 

24. Hannah, b. in Salisbury, Mass., May 26, 1773; m. Lieut. Benjamin Pettengill,. 

and d. Oct. 29, 1838. ( See.) 

25. Polly, b. March 9, 1776; m. Samuel Adams, and d. Feb. 28, 1826, at Enfield. 

26. Moses, b. Sept. 28, 1778. ( See.) 27. Benjamin, b. Jan. 7, 17S0. ( See.) 

28. Jane, b. Dec. 21, 1782; m. Sept. 22, 1804, James Garland; d. Nov. 14, 181S 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 609 

29. Richard, b. March 20, 1784. (See.) 

30. Lydia, b. April 20, 1786; m. July 6, 1814, Moses Rowell, of Andover. He. d. 

June 30, and she died July 6, 1S71. 

31. John, b. June 27, 17SS. (.See.) 

32. Paul, b. Aug. 29, 1791 ; served in the war of 1S12, and went to Hampden, Me., 

in 1S23. He was a cooper, and m. Esther Carter; they had no children; 
d. at Hampden, Dec. 26, 1832. 
Ti2- Jacob, b. May 16, iSoo. (See.) 

(6.) Matthew, b. Dec. 3, 1759. He enlisted in 1777 in Capt. 
Gray's company, Col. Scammell's regiment, for which he 
received seventy dollars bounty, serving three years and 
re-enlisting in 1780 for another three years of service. 
He m. (i) Jan., 1782, Abigail Stevens; settled near the 
northwest corner of Tucker's pond ; was a farmer and 
removed to Canaan before 18 17; d. June 24, 1842. 

34. Shubal, b. March 18, 1782 ; lived in Rumney, d. March 22, and his wife, Lydia, 

d. March 24, 1868, both being buried in one grave. 

35. David, b. April 20, 1784. 

36. Ephraim, b. July 5, 1786; d. at Racine, Wis. 

37. Martha, b. Nov. i, 1788 ; d. at Akron, O., July 9, 1847. 

38. Sarah, b. May 29, 1791 ; d. at Lebanon. 

39. Hannah, b. July 20, 1793; <^- ^^ Walker, la., Jan. 12, iSSo. 

40. Abigail, b. July 2, 1795; ^- March — , 1796. 

41. Abigail, b Feb. 7, 1797 ; m. — Whitney, and res. at Canaan. 

42. Achsa, b. March 23, 1799; m. — Dutton, and res. at Canaan. 

43. John D., b. Aug. 23, iSoi, and res. at Hyde Park, Mass. 

44. Lydia, b. May 10, 1804; d. Jan. 18, 1851. 

45. Ira, b. July S, 1806; d. March — , 1807. 

(15.) Samuel, b. June 22, 1775 ; m. June 20, 1799, Jane Gar- 
land, who was b. June 13, 1778; he d. at Garland, Me., 
May, 23, 1832. She m. (2) Aug. 30, 1835, Dea Amos 
Pettengill, of Salisbury; she d. in Salisbury, Feb. 27, 
1836. 

46. b. Sept 24, 1799; m. 1829, Martha Hartlett ; d. at Garland, Sept. 20, 1850. 

They had no children. 

47. James, b. Dec. 28, 1801 ; m. Jan. 12, 1830, Lura Dow. She d. Sept. 3, 1S70; 

he d. P'eb. 26, 1S63, at Hampden, Me. Two daughters living: Eliza, m. 

I'enton, and Hannah, m. Horace Hopkins. 
4S. Eliza P., b. March 15, 1S04; m. March 22, 1S31, Daniel Shaw; he d. in 1835 

and she d. Feb. 9, 1832, at South Carolina. They had no children. 
49. Samuel, b. March 19, 1806; m Jcrusha Mayo; d. June 2, 1S39; no children. 

39 



6lO HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

50. David, b. April 27, 180S; m. July 30, 1S34, Phebe Gushing. She d. March 28, 

1S36; he d. at New Orleans, La., April 26, 1839. 

51. Joseph, b. June, 1810 ; d. Sept. 17, 1810. 

52. Joseph, b. Sept. 18, 1814; m. March 22, 1849, Lucy A. Crane. He was a flour 

broker at 188 State St., Boston, Mass. 

53. Philip, b. May 31, 181S, and d. Nov. 5, 1822. 

(26.) Moses, b. Sept. 28, 1778. Ke enjoyed a common school 
education, learned the tanner's trade of William Flan- 
ders, and afterwards bought of him the homestead and 
tannery. He m, (i) March 9, 1803, Hannah Eaton, who 
d. Aug. 8, 1833; m. (2) May 19, 1836, Sarah, dau. of 
James and Mary (Montgomery) Bridges, of Andover, 
Mass., who was b. June i, 1797. He was for a number 
of years a member of the board of selectmen and a rep- 
resentative to the legislature; at the same time he filled 
minor offices of trust and responsibility. He was an 
active member of the Congregational church, and one 
whose generous sympathies made him a friend of the 
poor and unfortunate, who were often the recipients of 
his counsel and substantial kindness. He d. Oct. 20, 
1865; she d. Aug. 26, 1883. 

Children of Hannah: 

54. Ira, b. Aug. 8, 1804. ( See.) 

55. Irena, b. July 6, 1806; m. May 26, 1806, Rice Corser, of Boscawen. He res. 

at Salisbury. 

56. Hannah, b. March 28, 1808; d. Jan. 14, 1809. 

57. Hannah, b. Oct, 26, 1S09; m. Joseph Brown, of Andover. He resided at La- 

conia, and d. Jan. 13, 187S. 

58. Moses True, b. Nov. 21, 181 1, and went to Illinois in 1833. He was a grocer; 

m. Dec. I, 1837, Chloe Barnes, and d. at Tiskilwa, III., Dec. 7, 1864. 
There are three children living: Jane m. James Worthington ; Amy m. 
James Garter; Clark m. M. Mills. 

59. Paul, b. July 24, 1814. ( See.) 

60. Lydia E., b. Sept. 7, 1816; m. Edmund Stevens, of Boscawen, and res. at 

Tiskilwa, 111. 

61. Mary J., b. May i, 1819; m. (i) June 27, 1839, Calvin Stevens, of Boscawen; 

m. (2) Sept., 187 1, Rev. F. B. Nash. She d. at Tiskilwa, 111., Jan. 31, 

1874. 

62. Ursula P., b. March 5, 1822; m. March 5, 1S44, Lorenzo D., son of Abram G. 

Stevens, who resided at Franklin, and d. Jan. 22, 1876. 




-^^ej£^ee^^ 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 6ll 

(27.) Benjamin, b. Jan, 7, 1780; lived with his father on the 
old homestead; m. in 1808, Rebecca Whitcher, who. d. 
March i, 1826. In 1818 he removed to what is now 
Franklin, and removed to Illinois in 1836; was a cooper 
and farmer; he d. at Fremont, III, Jan. 23, 1857. 

63. Narcissa, b. Jan. 20, iSio, m. March 5, 1S40, Freeman Kingman, and res. at 

Fremont, 111. She d. July, 1SS4. 

64. Carlos S. 

65. Almeda, b. March 22, 1S13; m. May 13, 1835, John Couch. (See.) She d. 

May 9, 1S69, at Concord. He res. at Haverhill, Mass. 

66. Philena, b. Nov. 21. 1S14; m. (i) John Calef, of Tiskilwa, 111., formerly of 

Salisbury; m. (2) John Maffett, and res. at Weedside, Cal. 

67. Augustus, b. Dec. 26, 1S17, and d. Dec. 6, 1S48. 

68. Julian, b. Sept. 15, 1S19; m. S. Scriven, and res. at Groveland, 111. 

69. James Madison, b. Oct. 8, 1821, d. Feb. 13, 1854. 

70. George W., b. Jan. 31, 1824; m. Sarah Beeker. He is a farmer and res. at 

Fremont, 111. 

(29.) Richard, b. March 20, 1784, went to Salem, N. Y., where 
he learned the trade of a wheelwright and carpenter. 
He was working there at the time of the battle of Platts- 
burg, in 18 14, and volunteered to go in defence of the 
country, for which he received a bounty of a quarter- 
section, ( 160 acres of land.) He removed to Clarendon, 
afterwards to Rochester, Vt. ; he m. Sept. 27, 18 17, De- 
sire Horford, who was b. in Hebron, Conn., Nov. 27, 
1793, and d. at Manhattan, Kan., Feb. 3, 1879; he d. at 
Rochester, Vt., June 16, 1866. 

71. Albert True, b. Aug. 31, iSiS; m. Feb. 19, 1S61, Maria Jones, and has two 

sons ; one, a wheelwright and carpenter, res. at Rochester, Vt. 

72. Jane A., b. Aug. 31, 1820; m. Sept. 17, 1S56, K. L. Foster, Esq., and res. at 

Manhattan, Kan. 

73. Hannibal II., b. Sept. 21, 1S22; m. May 16, 1S4S, Jane A. Barst; they have 

two sons and one dau. He is a farmer and res. at Manhattan. 

74. Edward H., b. Aug. 8, 1824, and d. Aug. 22, 182S. 

75. William R., b. Sept. 12, 1827, and d. July 25, 1839. 

76. John F., b. June 30, 1S30; m. May i, 1S61, Maggie O'Boy, of Rochester, O. 

They have four sons. He is engaged in the mercantile and mining busi- 
ness, and res. at Fresno, Fresno (.!o., Cal. 

77. Edward R., b. Oct. 22, 1832, and d. Sept. 2, 1S36. 

78. Henry H., b. May 2, 1S36, and res. at Truckce, Cal. 



6l2 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(31.) John, b. June 27, 1788; m. (i) Hannah Chellis, who d. 
Dec. 26, 1818; m. (2) Sophia Couch, of Warner, who 
was b. Nov. 8, 1801, and d. April 26, 1876. He lived on 
the homestead and was by trade a blacksmith ; he d. 
May 2, 1855. Children of Sophia : 

79. Hannah, b. April 21, 1S23 ; m. Francis Perry, of Boston; a shoemaker by 

trade, and res. at Brockton, Mass. 

80. John, b. Dec. 16, 1825. He served in the war of the re- 

bellion, enlisting in the first call of Massachusetts troops, 
Co. F, 1 2th Regt., and was wounded in the arm at Bull 
Run. Was also in the following battles : Pittsburg, Ce- 
dar Mountain, South Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg,^ 
Bristow Station, Rapahannock Station, Wilderness, and 
others. He m. Ann White, has eight children, and re- 
sides at Winthrop, Me. 

81. Caroline, b. Aug. 18, 1827 ; m. Samuel Waterman, of Middleborough, Mass.; 

she d. at Campella, April 2, 1S63. 

82. Augusta H., b. Aug. 10, 1S29; m. Albert Holt, of Pembroke, a carpenter, and 

res. at Concord. 

83. Sarah J., b. Aug. 8, 1S31 ; m. Cyrus Lewis, a shoemaker. She d. Jan. 4, 

1877, at Campella, Mass. 

84. Maria A., b. July 22, 1833; m. Joseph Beals, of Hanson. He served in the 

war of the rebellion, was mortally wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, 
and d. July 30, 1863. She res. at Campella, Mass. 

85. Warren, b. June 27, 1835; d. Nov. 22, 1S37. 

86. Betsey A., b. May 31, 1837 ; m. Shepard Whittier, of Sidney, Me. He served 

in the war of the rebellion, in the nth Me. Reg't, Co. D. ; a shoemaker 
by trade, and res. at Campella, Mass. 

87. Warren, b. Nov. 8, 1839. ^^ served in the war of the 

rebellion, in Co. E, ist Maine cavalry, and was in the 
battles of Winchester, seven days before Richmond, 
Cedar Mountain, second Bull Run, Antietam, Chancel- 
lorsville, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Rapidan River, 
Weldon Railroad and others ; was not wounded but had 
two horses killed under him. He was a shoemaker, and 
resided at Campella, Mass. 

88. Frances, b. Nov. 14, 1842 ; m. (i) Charles Strafton, of Nantucket ; m. (2) Dan- 

iel Roberts, a farmer, and res. in Salisbury. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 6l$ 

S9. Eliza, b. Feb. 14, 1S44; m. (i) — Tilton, of Franklin; m. (2) Frederick Getch- 
eli ; he served in tlie war of the rebellion in the 2d Reg't, Co. F, U. S. 
Sharpshooters, and res. at IJristoI. 

90. George, b. Dec. 26, 1S51 ; a shoe stitcher, and res. at Campella, Mass. 

(33-) Jacob, b. May 16, 1800. He went to Hampden, Me., in 
1823, afterwards removing to Levant, now Kenduskeag ; 
m. Nov. 18, 1834, Hannah Wood, who was b. Oct. 4, 
1810; he still resides at Kenduskeag, is a cooper by 
trade and a very active citizen. 

91. George M., b. Dec. 27, 1835; m. Louisa Sturgis, and d. at Memphis, Tenn., 

Jan. 31, 1873. 

92. Augusta A., b. Aug. 29, 1837; d. June 16, 1S56. 

93-11 Fannie E., b. March 26, 1842 ; m. W. H. Stackpole, and res. at Kenduskeag, 
Maine. 

94. Ella H. b. June 5, 1846; m. Rev. E. G. Smith, pastor of the Cong. Church at 

Sharon, Mass. 

95. Emma P., b. Jan. 11, 1855; m. Arthur Hall, and res. at North Leominster, 

Mass. 

(54.) Ira, b. Aug. 8, 1804. At the age of eighteen he was 
chosen Lieutenant, but soon rose to the position of Cap- 
tain of a company of militia. In 1827 he removed to 
what is now Franklin ; m. Aug. 30, 1833, Sarah L., dau. 
of Eben Peabody, who d. Aug. 30, 1S78. He was iden- 
tified with the interests of the town for half a century, 
served several years as a member of the board of select- 
men, and was respected as a man of sound judgment. 
He was a tanner by trade; d. Dec. 20, 1880. 

96. Caroline, b. March 11, 1834; m. Horatio B. Morrison, and d. at Mason City, 

la., March 19, iS6S. 

97. Sarah L., b. Sept. 14, 1S36; m. Henry S. Hodgdon, and d. at Concord, Nov. 

21, 1863. 

98. AVilliam L, h. Jan. 24, 1S39; m. Judith A. Pilkington, and is a prominent 

citizen of Tiskilwa, 111. 

99. Ellen E., b. Sept. 28, 1842 ; d. Oct. 16, 1856. 

100. Emma B., b. March 31, 1847 ; m. Andrew J. Fellows, and res. at Lynn, Mass. 

(59.) ■ Paul, b. July 24, 1814. He attended the common school 
and one term at P'^ranklin Academy ; worked on his 
father's farm until he was of age. In the fall of 1S36 he 
went to Savannah, Ga., where he was employed as a 



6l4 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

bookkeeper by the firm of Hazard, Denslow & Webster, 
remaining with them till 1843, when, his health render- 
ing a change of climate necessary, he accepted the situ- 
ation of bookkeeper and general assistant in the Hazard 
Powder Co.'s works at Enfield, Conn., remaining there 
six years. With others he then formed the Enfield Pow- 
der Co., and built a set of mills at Scitico. These mills 
having been purchased by the Hazard Powder Co., he 
removed to South Acton, Mass., and superintended the 
works of the American Powder Co. until 1855, when, 
having purchased an interest in the powder works at 
Schaghticoke, N. Y., he removed to that place and be- 
came the principal manager of the business. He was 
ordained an elder in the Presbyterian church at Schagh- 
ticoke, May 13, 1866. He possessed a benevolent heart, 
delighted in doing good, was a true christian, and showed 
by good works that religion was with him a vital prin- 
ciple. His executive abilities, wielded with excellent 
judgment and energy, gave success to his undertakings. 
He d. at Hezelton, Penn., from injuries received while 
traveling on the Hezelton R. R. He m. April 22, 1844, 
Caroline Woodworth, of Albany, N. Y. Children : A 
son, b. and d. Sept. 6, 1846. 

loi. Emily C, b. Feb. 6, 184S; d. Sept. 5, 1848. 

102. Edward A., b. May 8, 1851 ; d. Dec. 28, 1857. 

103. Ellen R., b. Nov. 18, 1853; m. June 13, 1871, Rev. Charles S. Durfee, now 

pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Liverpool, N. Y. 

104. Emma M., b. May 24, 185S; m. April 22, 1884, Dr. J. B. Burroughs, and res. 

at Honeaye Falls, N. Y. 

(64.) Carlos S.. b. in Salisbury, July 11, 1811. He attended 
school at Salisbury and Franklin academies. May 17, 
1832, he left Franklin, half his means being only enough 
to pay his expenses to Brockport, N. Y., where he en- 
tered as clerk the store of Moses Pettengill and Stephen 
Sanborn, continuing with them two and one-half years. 
In 1835 he bought one-fourth of the store, continuing 
there until the fall of 1836, when he sold out but re- 





cr LCi 



GKNKALOGY AND BIOGKAFHY 61; 

mainecl a year longer. In Nov. iH^y, he went to St 
I^oms. Mo., and March 28. ,838, commenced the whole- 
sale grocery bu.sines.s with Daniel H. Gale. He has con- 
t.nued in the same business ever since, having just com- 
pleted the largest building for that purpose in the United 
States. He has ever been clo.sely connected with many 
public enterprises in the city of St. Louis, and his keen 
business qualities place his reputation high in rank as a 
financier, his name as president standing at the head of 
various financial enterprises, as well as of learnincr char- 
ity and philanthropy. When the war of the re'bellion 
broke out he left the management of a lucrative business 
and became a member of the Western Sanitary Commis- 
sion until the clo.se of the war. He possessed a benevo- 
lent heart, a sympathetic nature, and a liberal hand 
which, together with his wealth, have rendered his acts 
of kindness and beneficence truly noble. He is con 
nectedwith the second Presbyterian church; m Julv 
1841. Emily R. Robbins. of Hartford. Conn., who was b' 
Nov. 18 1 5, and d. Feb. 17, 1878. 
'0-- Kmily J., b. Feb. 1847; m. Feb. 2.. 1871. Dwight Tred- 
way. a member of the Greeley-Burnham Grocer Co St 
Louis. Mo. Mr. Tredway enlisted at the age of nine' 
teen years as a private in the 23d Regt. Wisconsin Vols 
and by successive steps was raised to Captain and Quar' 
termaster. with the rank of Major, by appointment of 
the President, and having successivelv served as recri- 
mental, brigade and division Quartermaster, resigned 
after three years service. Children: i. Emily n Car 
los Greeley, b. Aug. ,2. ,878. Dwight is the son of 
Wilham Wyseand Mary (Brown) Tredway, b Au- m 
• 843; his father, (William W.) is the son of Dyer" and 
Jerusha (Hovey) Tredway, son of Eliphalet. son of Jo- 
siah. son of James the son of James, son of Nathaniel 
Iredway. (Treadway ) who lived at Watertown, Mass 
where he was selectman in 1653. continuing in office six 
years. 



6l6 HISTORY OF SALISBUKV 

io6. Charles B., b. Sept. 5, 1882; a member of the Greelev-Hurnham Grocer Co.- 
St. Louis. Mo.; m. May 6, 1882, Minnie Arland, of Brooklyn, X. V. 

ANOTHER BRANCH. 

1. Benjamin, another branch of the Greeley family, removed 

here from Amesbury, Mass., about 1757, and settled an 
the farm now occupied by J. S. Heath. He was com- 
monly called "Grandfather," to distinguish him from 
Benjamin, 2d, son of David. He had two sons : 

2. Reuben. ( See.) 

3. Nathaniel, m. Maria — ; they lived on the homestead and had one dau. Mar- 

garet, who married Isaac Stevens, and d. about 1S40. After the death of 
Nathaniel, Maria m. Benjamin Scribner. 

(2.) Reuben, b. — ; m. Jan. 7, 1773, Rachel Meloon, who was 
b. in 1744, carried captive by the Indians, May 11, 1753, 
and brought back to Salisbury about 1763. She m. (2) 
John Gilman, removed to Springfield and there died, 
leaving two sons by Gilman. Reuben lived on the farm 
now owned by S. B. Greeley. Enlisted in 1777 and was 
for three years in Capt. Gray's Co., Col. Scammell's 
Regt., for which he received seventy dollars bounty. He 
d. in the spring of 1778, while with Gen. Washington's 
army at Valley Forge. 

4. Nathaniel, son of Reuben, was b. June 20, 1775; m. (i) 

Jan. 25, 1798, Mary, dau. of Cutting Stevens, who was 
b. Feb. 27, 1781, and d. Feb. 20, 1832; m. (2) April 30, 
1834, Abiah Eastman, of Hopkinton, widow of Timothy 
Corser, of Boscawen ; she d. Sept. 17, (861. His life 
began three days after the battle of Bunker Hill, contin- 
ued through the long period of peace succeeding the rev. 
olution, and closed just as the war clouds of our late 
rebellion were passing away. He was a kind parent and 
a good neighbor; for the last six years of his life he was 
confined to his bed, during which period he manifested 
entire resignation to the ways of Providence. Children 
of Mary : 

5. Reuben. (See.) 6. Cutting Stevens. (See.) 7. Nathaniel. (See.) 
8. Green. (See.) 





^^^^^ 



CiKNKALOGY AN'D BIOGRAPHY 617 

9. Mary, b. Oct. 4, 1S05; m. Henry French, 'if Hopkinton, and had six children : 
Francis, Sarah, Kdward, Harrison, fJreelcy and Walter H., and res. at 
Webster. 

10. I.aura, b. ieb. 6. 1S07 ; d. Feb. 17, 1833. 

11. Elizabeth, b. Jan. 11, iSo9;d. Aug. tg, 182S. 12. Joseph Maloon. (See.) 

13. Solomon H., b. June 25, 1S12; d. Oct. 2.8, 1S20. 

14. koxillana, b. May 25. 1814; m. Ira Jackman and res. at Webster. 

15. .\rleite, b. -Aug. 21, rSi7;ni. Oct. 15, 1846, Alvah Hall, of Salem, and had 

two daughter^; Mary K. m. VV. L. Bradford, of Pelham; Nora A., b. June 
9, 1852; d. Nov. 27, i860. Arlette d. Sept. 10, 1865. 

16. Solomon H. (See.) 17. Luther, b. Feb. 2, 1823; d. Nov. 18, 1840. 

(5) Reuben (ireoley, son of Nathaniel nnd Mary Greeley, was 
b. in Salisbury, Jan. 3, 1799; Nov. 23, 1823, m. Miss 
Mary Ann, dau. of Capt. James and Susanna Shirley, of 
Chester. Shortly after they went to Boscawen and 
kept the Gerrish tavern two years, then returned to 
Salisbury, settling near Smith Corner, where he became 
interested in the lumber business; he also erected a 
saw mill on Mill brook, and for some years did a large 
business. After closinij up there Mr. Greeley moved to 
the Greenough farm, where with farming he carried on 
the wood, lumber and coal business. Mr. Greeley was a 
man of integrity and intelligence. In all the movements 
of his lime where the good of the people were concerned 
he was interested. He d. Oc^ 27, 1862, leaving a wife 
and seven children. His wife died May ii, 1880, aged 
82 years. Children : 

kS. Anna G. (ireeley, b. in Salisbury, July 4, 1827; m. Charles S. Colby, of Rum- 
ford. Me., Oct. 18, 1850. Children, James L. Colby, b. Nov. 15, 1855. 

19. .Nathaniel K. Creeley was b. in Boscawen, June' 10, 1829; spent the early part 

of liis life in California, where he was interested in mining. Returned to 
Salisbury, and m. Kmily S. ("all, of Webster, June 14, 1864; home in Pen- 
acook; children, Leon .M. Greeley b. in Webster, April 15, 1866; Leonora 
G (ireelcy, b. in Webster, .\ug. 26, iS(JS. 

20. Janeite vV. Greeley, b. in Salisbury, June 20, 1831. 

2 1. Joseph M. Greeley, b. in Salisbury, March lo, 1834. In 
the year 1852 he went to California, where he became a 
successful miner. Returned to his home in Salisbury 
in 1859 Was a member f)f the House of Representa- 
tives in 1874-75. 

22. Andrew L. Grctlcy was b. in Salisbury, Sept. 10, 1835; read law in the office 
of Samuel liuticrfield and J. M. Siiirley of Andover ; was admitted to the 



6l8 HISTOKV OF SALISBUHV 

bar before the Supreme Court of New Hampshire, Nov. 1S59; went to 
Nevada, and was a member of the first legislature which convened after 
the territory became a state; was district attorney of Esmeralda county ; 
also holding many other places of trust. He was m. to Mrs. Mar\ E. 
Swartwott, of Marshall, Michigan, in 1876. Died in Salisbury, Nov. iS. 
1888. Home in Mason Valley, Nevada. Children, Paul S. Creeley. b. 
1877; Andrew L. Greeley, b. 1879; Julia Greeley, b. 1881. 

23. Abiah E. Greeley, b. in Salisbury, May i, 1837 ; m. John G. Currier, of Wilniot. 

Nov. 26, i860; children, Nettie F. Currier, b. May 2, 1864; Katie K., h. 
Nov. 2, 1866; Wilfred J., Dec. 12, 1868; Gertrude, b. Sept. 12. 1873. 

24. James L. Greeley, b. in Salisbury, Feb. 5, 1840; read law in the office of 

John M. Shirley of Andover; was admitted to the bar before the Supreme 
Court of New Hampshire, in Oct. 1863; home in Hodie, Cal., where he 
was a successful lawyer. He was married to Miss .Sarah McWilhey, of 
Burlington, Michigan. He died at Eureka, Cal., Jan. 29. 1885; children, 
Luther J. Greeley, b. Oct. 17, 1883; Ciertrude Greeley, b. Nov. 24, 1881. 

(6.) Cutting S. was b. Aug. 17, 1800; m, March 18. 1823, 
Lydia, dau. of Joseph Nichols, of Sprin<j;field, who was 
b. April I, 1795, and d. March 30, 1878; he lived with 
his grandfather. Cutting Stevens, until about 1837, when 
he removed to Andover, where he d. June 28, 1882. 

25. Mary A., b. Feb. 29, 1824; m. July 22, 1847, Daniel Mowe; ci. April 23, 1850. 

26. George I., b. May 26, 1826; m. Dec. 2, 1852, Abbie Campbell, and resides at 

Franklin Falls. 

27. Lydia A., b. Aug. 27, 1829; m. June 28, 1854, Henry Proctor, ami res. at West 

Danvers, Mass. 

28. Harriet M., b. July 14, 1831; d. Oct. 16, 1846. 

29. Calvin P., b. Nov. 9, 1833; m. Oct. 30, 1859, Sarah ft all, of Salem, and res. in 

New York city. 

30. Alonzo S., b. March 14, 1836; m. June 13, i860, Mary Sargent. He is a farmer 

and res. at East Andover. 

31. Laura A., b. in Andover, Feb. 23, 1S38; m. May 30, 1879, — Tucker and res. 

at Hill. 

32. Byron N., b. in Andover, Oct. 13, 1841, and res. at San Francisco, Cal. 

(7.) Nathaniel, b. May 18, 1802; m. (i) Feb. 14, 1831. Nancy 
Wyman, of Chatham, who d. April 2, 1862; m. (2) Nov. 
18, 1869, Harriet W. Durgin, of Thornton, who d. Nov. 
22, 1878 ; m. (3) Oct. 6, 1879, Susan P. Mace, of Camp- 
ton, who d. Nov. 14, 1880. For many years he kept a 
summer hotel at Waterville, N. H., to which place he 




'"■«^'Cl{i^^^JrS:^---jJf't^' 



JOSEPH M.GREELEY. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 619 

removed with his wife when it was a wilderness. He rep- 
resented that town in the legislature and served the 
town as selectman a number of terms, between 1857 
and 1866; d. at Waterville. Children of Nancy: 

33. Merrill, b. July 3, 1832; m. Nov. 10, 1864, Lizzie M. Merrill, of Hill. He is a 

hotel-keeper at Waterville, where they reside, and was also a representa- 
tive in 1S62. They have two children: Mabel L., b. Feb. 2, 1871, and 
Geo. H., b. Nov. 3, 1872. 

34. Henry, b. Nov. 12, 1837; m. — Emma Holmes, and res. at San Francisco, Cal. 

(8.) Green, b. Jan. 17, 1S04; m. (i) Nancy Kenniston, of An- 
dover ; m. (2) Nancy, dau. of Isaac Stevens, who d. at 
Salisbury, Oct. 22, 1882 ; he is a farmer and resides at 
Andover. Children of Nancy K. : 

35. Lydia M., b. Nov. 24, 1S2S ; m. in 1S58, John S. Pressy, and res. at Salisbury. 

36. Mary E., b. Dec. 26, 1S31 ; m. Aug. 5, 1852, John S. Heath, and d. March 

I, 1S67. 

(12.) Joseph M., b. Oct. ii, 1810; he left home in 1830; m. 
March 31, 1838, Frances Tyson, of N. Y. In the same 
year he commenced the hotel business in New York 
city, retiring from a lucrative business in 1859, when he 
bought a residence at Fairview, N. J., where he d. Oct. 
20, 1870. 

37. Joseph L., b. Jan. 28, 1839; m. — Ada Stowell, and res at Fairview, N. J. 

38. George A., b. June 22, 1842, m. — Nellie Hall, of Salem, and res. at New 

York city. 

39. Emma A., b. Feb. 10, 1846; m. Frank Merit, and res. at New York city. 

(16.) Solomon Bartlett, b. March 24, 1819; m. June 2, 1841, 
Louisa, dau. of Timothy Corser, of Boscawen, who was 
b. Dec. 25, 1818; he is a farmer and resides on the 
homestead. 

40. Nathaniel, b. April 29, 1S42 ; m. — 

41. Edward T., b. July 28, 1S44 ; miner and engineer, and res. at Aurora, Nev. 

42. Solomon B. { See.) 

43. Octavia L., b. June 27, 1850; m. May 10, 1S76, Sidney F. Eastman, and res. at 

Hopkinton. 

44. Frances T., b. Aug. 3, 1853 : she m. Oscar Durgin and res. at Thornton. 

45. Adelaide, b. Aug. 22, 1S56; m. 1SS8, George Scribner, of Salisbury. 

46. Fred E., b. Dec. 11, 1859. 



620 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(43.) Solomon B., b. Nov. 6, 1847; "i- IMarch, 1871, Dorothy, 
A., dau. of William Holmes, of Salisbury ; she was b. 
Feb. 7, 1847 i he is a butcher and resides at Franklin. 

47. Eugene H., b. Jan. 13, 1872 ; he d. May 14, 1S79. 

48! Walter F., b. Nov. 16, 1874; d. April 22, 1S79. 

49. Robert J., b. June 5, 187S; d. April 29, 1879. 

50. Agnes L., b. Sept. 16, 1S80. 



THE GREENLEAF FAMILY. 

TWO BRANCHES. 

The ancestors of this family were Huguenots, who in the 
seventeenth century left France on account of their religious 
principles and settled in England. The name is a literal trans- 
lation from the French, "Feuillevert." Edmund Greenleaf, the 
common ancestor, was born in the parish of Brixham, county of 
Devonshire, England, in 1600. (?) He married Sarah Dole, by 
whom he had several children, born in England, and emigrated 
to this country in 1635, settling at Newbury, (Newburyport) 
Mass. 

FIRST BRANCH. 

I. Stephen Greenleaf, (vii) Tristram, (vi) Tristram, (v) Tris- 
tram, (iv) Stephen, (in) Stephen, (ii) Edward, (i) b. at 
Newbury, Mass., April 11, 1766. At the age of ten, his 
father having died in 1789, he removed with his mother 
(Mrs. Lois R. Greenleaf, who d. March 10, 1817, aged 
87,) to Salisbury, settling on the Bacon farm. Smith's 
hill, where he engaged in farming, afterwards removing 
to the Nathaniel Bean house. South road, where he d. 
Dec. 26. 1845. Mr. Greenleaf was a well-built man, six 
feet in height, not inclined to corpulency, with black 
eyes, auburn hair and light complexion ; of a nervous 
temperament, and very active and quick in all his mo- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 621 

tions. He m. (i) March 21, 1793, Ruth, dau. of David 
and Ruth (Heath) Pettengill, who d. March 18, 1826; 
m. (2) widow Page, of Sutton. 

2. Thomas R., b. July 6, 1793. ( See.) 

3. Harriet, b. March 17, 1795 ! ^- ^ept- — . 1796- 

4. Henry, (A. M.) b. May 15, 1797. Graduated at Dartmouth 
College in 1823, taught school at Columbia, S. C, for 
three years, and subsequently went into mercantile pur- 
suits. Returning to Franklin he was there engaged in 
trade, and d. Nov. 27, 1832, unm. For a time he read 
and practiced law. 

5. Lois, b. June 9, 1799; m. Aug, 23, 1826, Isaac Crane, who was b. at North- 

field, in April, 1798, and d. at Boscawen, Nov. 7, 1S58, aged 60. 
Children ( of Isaac Crane ) b. at Franklin : 

I. Harriet S., b. June 9, 1S27 ; m. Levi. J. Bartlett. ( See.) 11. Henry G., b. April 

15, 1829 ; m. Nov. 14, 1872, S. E. I'atten, a screw manufacturer, at Worces- 
ter, Mass. in. Charles C, b. Oct. i, 1830 ; he d. at Chattanooga, Tenn., 
Dec. 8, 1S63. IV. Robert T., b. Nov. 3, 1832 ; d. Aug. 17, 1867. v. Albert 
I., b. May 31, 1834; d. Jan. 19, 1874. 

6. Eunice, b. Nov. 15, 1801 ; m. James Colburn, of Franklin ; d. Jan. 26, 1839. 

7. Harriet, b. Aug. 26, 1S03 ; m. Dec. 23, 1S45, Nathan G. — of Claremont 

and d. — 

8. Francis S., b. July 10, 1S05 ; m. Charlotte F. Britton, (^ee early stores and 

merchants ) and res. at Bedford, Mass. 

9. Tristram, b. Nov. 24, 1807, and resided for a time in the D. Bartlett house. 

He d. at Haverhill, Mass., Jan. i, 1882; m. March, 1835, Anna Burleigh. 
(See.) She d. in Haverhill, Oct. 14, 1879, aged 71. They had five chil- 
dren ; two d. in infancy ; one married and d. at Haverhill, July 25, 1880 ; 
Charles C, m. March 22, 1S65, Mary S. Dimond, res. at Nauseon, Ohio, 
and Charlotte, unm. 
10. Hannah, b. June 14, 1812; d. 1857, unm. 

(2.) Thomas Rowell learned the hatter's trade and built the 
shop now owned by T. D. Little. He traded for a time 
in what is now Franklin, and before 1S20 had a store on 
the Kendall stand, at Sanbornton, afterwards returning 
to Salisbury, where he was in trade at the Chapman & 
Sweatt store ; removed to St. Louis, where he d. — ; m. 
widow Mary E. Hawley ; he had three children who died 
young. 

II. George Henry, b. 1S39; d. unm. 12. Andrew S., b. 1S41 ; d unm. 



622 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

SECOND BRANCH. 

13. Samuel Greenleaf, a brother of Stephen, (i) was b. at New- 
bury, Mass., June, 1768, removed to Salisbury with his 
brother and built the David G. Bean store and house. 
(See stores and merchants.) He was a man of much 
enterprise, energy and thrift ; removed to Boston, Mass., 
where he d. in 1845 ; m. (i) Jan. 24, 1797, Sally Smith, 
who d. Aug. 15, 1802; m. (2) Mary Wiggin, of Hopkin- 
ton. Children by first wife : 

12. Samuel, b. Jan. 13, 1802; d. June 7, 1S03. 

Children by second wife. 

13. Sarah, m. Charles J. Cazenone; d. — 



THE HADDOCK FAMILY. 

I. William Haddock was born in 1769, and removed to Sal- 
isbury from Haverhill, Mass., previous to 1794, building the 
middle part of the dwelling occupied as the Orphans Home, at 
Lower Franklin, the west end of the house having been built 
by Daniel Webster and the east end by Mr. Fay. Mr. Had- 
dock was by trade a tanner and currier, which business he con- 
tinued here, in addition to shoemaking and the grinding of 
bark. After the death of William Hoit, about 1805, he erected 
a store now standing, (the yellow building west of the Orphans 
Home) in which he traded for some years, closing up the busi- 
ness previous to his death. He built the house occupied by 
G. B. Matthews, where he d. June 3, 1828. He was quite a 
farmer, a close financier and a smart business man, accumulat- 
ing considerable property, but through misfortune losing a share 
of it. He married (i) Abigail, daughter of Ebenezer Webster, 
who died Dec. 13, 1804; married (2) Lucretia Eaton, who died 
Jan. 10, 1852. Children (two died in infancy) by first wife: 

2. Charles Brickett, A. M., D. D., was b. June 20, 1796. Pre- 
pared for college at the Salisbury Academy and entered 
Dartmouth in 18 12, Possessing marked mental abilities 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 623 

from his mother, his natural endowments and diligence 
in application made him the best scholar of his class. 
After graduating, in 1816, he entered the Theological 
Seminary, at Andover, Mass., remaining two years, im- 
paired health not permitting him to complete his course. 
To restore his health he made a tour on horseback 
through many of the southern states, returning in 1815 
greatly improved. He was at once appointed to the 
chair of rhetoric at Dartmouth, being but twenty-three 
years of age, which position he held till 1838. For the 
duties of this professorship he was especially fitted by 
his varied culture and high scholarship. As an instruct- 
or he was thorough, as a critic discriminating, as a writer 
fertile, and as a speaker graceful and attractive. With 
the students he was popular, endearing them to him by 
his dignified courtesy and that thoughtful, manly kind- 
ness, which improves and gives a charm to every form of 
intercourse. After resigning the chair of rhetoric he 
was elected Professor of Intellectual Philosophy and 
Civil Policy, resigning in 1854. While holding this posi- 
tion he was appointed charge d'affaires of the United 
States, at Portugal, from 1850 to 1854. Prof. Haddock 
never sought the fame of authorship, but in 1846 he pub- 
lished a volume of "Addresses and Miscellaneous Writ- 
ings." This book consists of addresses and discourses 
delivered on different occasions, which are i^roductions 
of rare merit, showing the same finish of style, purity of 
diction and richness and practicability of suggestion 
which characterized all his intellectual efforts. While 
acting for many years as secretary of the New Hamp- 
shire Educational Society, his published annual reports 
were able and comprehensive discourses upon subjects 
of great educational interest. Among these we find, 
"The Standard of Education for the Pulpit," "The Influ- 
ence of Elevated Mind," and "The Eloquence of the 
Pulpit, as affected by Ministerial Character." The latter 
part of his life was spent at his home in West Lebanon, 



624 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

where he died Jan. 15, 1861, He m. (i) Aug. 19, 1S19, 
Susan Saunders, dau. of Richard Long, of Hanover; m. 
(2) July 21, 1841, Mrs. Caroline (Kimball) Young, dau. 
of Richard Kimball, of Lebanon ; she resides at Hanover. 

3. William Townsend, A. M., b. April 4, 1798, spelled and 
pronounced his name "Heydock." Fitted for college at 
Salisbury Academy and graduated at Dartmouth in 1819. 
He read law with his uncle, Daniel Webster, at Boston ; 
was admitttd to the bar in 1822, beginning practice at 
Hanover, continuing there two years, when he removed 
to Concord, at which place he published the "Probate 
Directory;" removing to Boston in 1829, he took the 
editorial chair of "Jurisprudence," a law journal, pub- 
lished weekly. Died of consumption while on a tempor- 
ary visit to Hanover, Nov. 6, 1835. He m. Jane Alcott, 
who d. — 

4. Benjamin Franklin, b. — ; he resided and d. at Chicago, Dec. 23, 1S71, where 

he became president of a bank. 

5. George W., b. March — , i8c6-8 ; drowned May 18, 1871. 

6. Edward Hiram,.. b. April 2, 1811, lived on the farm until he 
was twenty-two years of age, when he went to Chicago, 
111., a poor young man. He first engaged as a stage 
agent, then as a hotel keeper. He m. in 1834, Louisa, 
dau. of Dexter Graves, a hotel keeper. He had the 
Yankee trick of saving as well as earning money, and 
possessed a shrewdness which made him successful in 
all his business undertakings. He was of untiring indus- 
try, strict integrity, and quiet and unpretending in man- 
ner ; was a member of the second Presbyterian church ; 
was one of the judges at the first municipal election, and 
served as alderman under B. S. Norris, the second mayor 
of the city. After accumulating great wealth he retired 
from public life in 1855. After the great fire he resided 
at No. 2976 Michigan avenue, where he d. May 22, 1881, 
leaving one daughter, Helen, who m. John DeKoven, of 
the Merchants National Bank, Chicago. 







6L^^^.^r^iA^ 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 625 

7. Roswell, b. 1810 ; m. — and res. at Sutton. 

8. Lorenzo, b. — ; was a lawyer at Buffalo, where he died — Mehitable may 

have been a daughter. She m. March 29, 1827, Ens. Daniel Osgood. 



THE HALE FAMILY. 

I. Isaac, son of Paul, who married Sept. 21, 1787, Hannah 
Lang, by whom he had four children, was born Jun. 10, 
1791, at Newburyport, Mass., removing to that part of Salis- 
bury now Franklin, in 18 17, where he built a brick house south 
of Wallace Burleigh's. By trade he was a brick mason ; he 
died at Fisherville, (Penacook) June 10, 1865. Mr. Hale was 
a smart, capable business man, a democrat in politics, and 
served as senator from the 4th district from 1842 to 1844. He 
married (i) June 22, 18 13, Betsey Pearson, of Webster, (Bos- 
cawen) who died Jan. 9, 1832, aged 41 ; married {2) Polly, a 
sister to his first wife, who died Nov. 14, 1865. 

2. Eliza, b. in Boscawen, Oct. 23, 18 14; m. L. M. Chadwick, of Boscawen. 

3. Robert, b. in Boscawen, Oct. i, 1S15; m. Ann Ward, and res. at Minneapolis, 

Minn. 

4. Nathan, b. in Salisbury, Sept. 28, 1S17; d. Feb. 11, 1819. 

5. Mary, b. Oct. 5, 1819, d. Dec. 5, 1S75 ; m. Feb. 22, 1S42, Dr. William W. Proctor. 

(See.) 

6. Hannah, b. Dec. 8, 1S22 ; m. March 5, 1S57, John Sawyer, and res. at Fisher- 

ville, ( Penacook.) 

7. Ellen, b. Nov. 23, 1824; m. March 26, 1S45, A. G. Kimball, and res. at Pish. 

erville, ( Penacook.) 

8. Jane, b. Feb. 13, 1827, and d. Sept. 21, 1S49. 

9. Ann, b. Jan. 9, 1829; m. (i) March 3, 1S48, .\sa L. Pavere ; m. (2) Feb. i, 

1872, Moses Farnum, and res. at Concord. 
10. Harriet, b. Nov. 12, 1831 ; unm. and res.' at Fisherville, ( Penacook.) 



THE HANCOCK FAMILY. 

I. John, son of John, was born at Northfield, Aug. i, 1791. 
He learned the trade of a tanner and currier, with Chickering, 
at Concord, and removed to Salisbury previous to iSio, follow- 
40 



626 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

ing his trade with William Haddock, at the lower village, where 
he built a house, shop and tan vats on the site now occupied by 
E. H. Sturtevant's drug store, in Franklin. The house and 
shop were incorporated in the drug store building. Here Mr. 
Hancock conducted a large and successful business, being a 
most excellent tanner and currier and doing fine work. Event- 
ually he removed to the Orphans Home district, erecting the 
first set of buildings south of Punch brook, where he died Aug, 
13, 1875. He was called "Tanner John," to distinguish him 
from others bearing the same name. Married Dorothy, daugh- 
ter of John Sanborn, who died Feb. 17, 1869. 

2. George W., b. Aug. 7, 181 1 ; d. at Manchester, Feb. 17, 1877. He m. Dorothy 

Osgood, of Gilmanton. 

3. Hannah S., b. Feb. 25, 1813; m. Jonathan Prescott ; he d. in 1874. 

4. Harriet N., b. June 15, 1815; m. Dustin L. Judkins. He d. at Manchester, 

where she res. 

5. Susan K., b. Feb 5, 1817; m. Rev. Joseph Loring, and res. at East Otisfield, 

Maine. 

6. Benjamin S., b. April 6, 1S19. (See.) 

7. Albert, b. March 11, 1821 ; he rem. to Lowell, became a mill overseer, and 

there d. 

8. Emily, b. March 19, 1823 ; m. Samuel M. Westgate. 

9. Leonard, b. March 28, 1825; m. Mary Hazelton, of Concord. 

10. Squires, b. March 16, 1827 ; d. Nov. i, 1S32. 

11. Daniel, b. June 21, 1829; d. Oct. 25, 1832. 

12. Ann. M., b. June 16, 1832; m. Joseph L. Thompson, a noted school teacher at 

Franklin. 

(6.) Benjamin Sanborn, m. in 1836 and removed to Amoskeag 
Falls, (Manchester) where he was engaged in the first 
cotton factory built at that place ; he remained there till 
1850, then removing to Fisherville, (Penacook) where 
he remained but a short time, when he returned to Man- 
chester. He was one of the first overseers in the Stark 
corporation. Leaving there in March, 1857, he returned 
to his native town, purchased the Hoyt place, the pres- 
ent house being in process of erection by Horace Noyes, 
and is one of the leading men of that part of Franklin. 
He m. Oct. 29, 1840, Achsah N. Gould, who was b. at 
Weare, June 8, 18 16. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 62/ 

13. Frank N., b. Jan. 23, 1849; ^- Aug. 14, 1862, Mary A. Lyon, of Lowell, Mass. 
Children : i. Mary H., b. Oct. 23, 1873. 



THE HEATH FAMILY. 

I. Job was a native of Plaistow, removing to this town pre- 
vious to the revolutionary war, settling on the eastern slope of 
the hill west of Joseph N. Greeley's. By occupation he was a 
farrier, and when not otherwise employed was engaged in farm- 
ing. Married Nov. 23, 1772, Susanna Stevens. 

2. Moses, b. Jan. 19, 1773. (See.) 3. Mary, b. Oct. 7, 1774. 

4. Ephraim, b. Julys, 1777; m. iSoi, Polly Corser, of Boscawen, and had six 

children. 

5. Prudence, b. Sept. 27, 1780; m. Josiah Corser, of Boscawen, rem. to Canada 

about 1812, and afterwards to Vermont, and d. — 

6. Job, b. Feb. 15, 1784. ( See.) 7. Nehemiah, b. May 28, 1786; m. — Corser. 

(2,) Moses remained on the homestead ; m. Lydia Clark. 

8. Hannah, m. Reuben Fellows. 9. David. 10. Moses. ( See.) 
II. Amos, was deaf and dumb and by trade a cooper. 12. Daniel. 
13. Sargent. 14. William. 15. Lydia; d. young. 16. Abigail; d. young. 

(6.) Job built the Joseph N. Greeley house ; m. (i) — Fisk, of 
Boscawen ; m. (2) Jane Watson, of Meredith. 

17. Hial, b. Feb. 22, 1813; m. Esther Mellett. She res. at Newton, Iowa. 

18. Lavina, b. March 24, 1816; m. Jonathan G. Fuller, of Lynn, Mass. 

19. Sallina, b. Aug. i, 1818; m. April 2, 1843, Solomon Mackintire, and res. at 

Danvers, Mass. 

20. James IL, born July 29, 1821 ; m. Martha Read. 

(10.) Moses built, in 182 1, the house now occupied by his 
widow. He was by trade a cooper but also carried on 
his farm ; served in the war of 18 12, and d. Aug. 23, 
1839 ;.m. I^GC. 22, 1814, Ruth Shirley. 

21. Susan, b. 1S20; drowned in Blackwatcr river, 1S29. 

22. George W., b. Sept. 3, 1S22 ; m. Hannah Hunker, d. 1855. 

23. Charles G., b. Aug. 28, 1S24; m. 1S64, Judith Healy. 

24. Kmeline K., b. Aug. 13, 1826; m. Oct. i, 1843, John Carter, of Holdcrness; 

d. Sept. 19, 1S82. 

25. James A., b. June 15, 1S28 ; he m. Harriet Clark and res. at Contoocook. 



628 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

26. Elbridge G., m. F. Thomas. 27. Moses F., m. Jane Stone. 

28. Harrison V., b. Sept. 12, 1835; ^- Dec. 6, 1865, Ruth C. Loverin. I. Minnie, 

b. July 5, 1866; m. Nov. 11, 1882, Wallace B. Sanborn. 11. Carrie P., b. 
Aug. 27, 1868. III. Edwin F., b. April 15, 1871. 

29. William F., b. July 13; d. aged 17. 



THE HOLMES FAMILY. 

I, William was born at Hopkinton, April 4, 18 18, and at 
the annual March meeting, in 182 1, was struck off to the lowest 
bidder as a town pauper, this occurring for a number of years. 
Each season found him with a new master, and until well into 
his "teens" he had no school advantages. Without the influ- 
ences and care of a mother's love his life was a hard one, until 
1839, when he came to Salisbury, making his home with Lieut. 
Benjamin Pettengill, whose farm he eventually purchased, and 
there continued. He built the sawmill on the old Wilder & 
Bowers dam, (part of which was originally a beaver dam) saw- 
ing annually 500,000 feet of lumber. He owns over eight hun- 
dred acres of land, cultivating about one hundred acres. In all 
enterprises of the town he takes a prominent part, having con- 
tributed the lumber for the addition to the academy, also giving 
personal and pecuniary aid in establishing the Salisbury Tele- 
graph. He married, March 12, .1841, M. ]., daugher of Ebene- 
zer Johnson. 

2. George, b. Oct. iS, 1843 ; m. June 5, 1S67, Orissa M. Dearborn, of Tilton, and 

res. at Huron, Dakota. 

3. Dorothy A., b. Feb. 17, 1847 I "^- Solomon B. Greeley. ( See.) 

4. Charles, b. Oct. 17, 1850; m. (i) May 8, 1878, Mary A. Wadleigh, of Sutton, 

who d. April 20, 1880; m. (2) Helen Low, of Hopkinton. They have two 
children : Clara, b. in 1887, and a son, b. in 1888. He resides on the 
David Kimball farm and conducts the saw mill. 

5. Curtis D., b. Sept. 2, 1852 ; m. 1874, Mary E. Smith, b. at Enfield, July 

3, 1857. I. Freddie W., b. in Salisbury, Oct. 30, 1876. 11. Frankie Leroy, 
b. in Franklin, Feb. 18, 1881, and d. April 30, 1883. 

6. Emma J., b. Aug. 10, 1S55 , m. Jan. 14, 1872, Henry M. Weeks, and res. at 

Eskridge, Kan. 

7. Nellie M., b. March 8, 1857 ; m. Aug. 31, 1881, Howard E. Dearborn. 

8. William J., b. June 23, 1S67 ; m. 1SS8, Neomia Shaw. 9. Leland, b. May 9, 1870. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 629 



THE HOWARD FAMILY. 

This name is spelled Howard, or Hereward. The first Amer- 
ican ancestor of the family was Nathaniel Howard, who emi- 
grated from Suffolk, England, to Dorchester, Mass., in 1641, 
and was made a freeman in 1643. 

1. Benjamin. His father, Benjamin, was b. at Ipswich, Mass., 

Dec. 24, 1727, and d. at Newburyport, July, 1773 ; m. 
Feb. 18, 174S, Meele Sweatt, dau. of Stephen and Judith, 
of Newbury, where she was b. Aug. 25, 1724; she d. 
there in June, 1788. Benjamin, (i) b. at Newbury, Mass., 
1758, was a famous Indian fighter. He served in Gen. 
John Sullivan's expedition into the Indian country, (New 
York) during which time he kept a very accurate diary 
of current events. The first twenty-two pages of this 
diary are missing, as are an equal number after the 76th 
day. The diary covers a period from Aug. 12 to Sept. 
13, 1777, and is in possession of his maternal grandson, 
E. D. Couch, of Contoocook, and a copy is among the 
"Historical Collections" of the Antiquarian Society, at 
Contoocook, Vol. 4, p. 347. He served at Bunker Hill 
with the Salisbury men, remained in the army until the 
close of the revolutionary war, when he came to Salis- 
bury. He m. Dec. 7, 1780, Sarah, dau. of John Fellows. 
(See.) She d. Aug. 22, 1835, aged tt. He settled on 
land now owned by Lyman Couch, south of the Couch 
brothers dwelling, on Battle street, where he d. Feb, 26, 
1832, aged 74. 

2. Meele, b. Sept. 15, 1781 ; m. Oct. 20, 1803, Joseph Couch, who built the house 

now owned and occu])ied by Joseph I.ang Couch; she d. Oct. 13, 1S64. 

3. lienjamin, b. 17S3. (See.) 

4. Sarah, b. May 23, 17S5; m. May i, iSoo, Samuel Morrill, of Warner; removed 

to Bradford, and d. March 10, 1862. 

5. Eunice, b. Nov. 15, 1793; m. Sept. 15, 181 2, Samuel Couch, and res. on the 

Nathan H. Morgan farm. She d. Oct. 24, 1S5S, and he d. March 1, 1858. 



630 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(3.) Benjamin settled just east of the homestead, where the 
children were born, removed to Corser hill (Webster) 
and d. April 11, 1864. He enlisted in the army, in 
April, 1813, and was discharged in April, 18 18; m. (i) 
April 18, 1 8 10, Polly, dau. of David and Hannah (East- 
man) Burbank ; m. (2) Aug. 10, 1821, Mrs. Mehitable 
Fellows ; her husband's name was Berry, who was a sea 
captain and d. at sea ; she d. April 2, 1864. 

6. John, b. in Boscawen, Dec. 10, 1810; rem. to Pomfrey, N. Y., and d. Dec. 

6, 1S39. 

7. Ransom, rem. to N. Y. about 1814. 

8. Sarah, name afterwards changed to Rosannah, for her aunt. 



THE HOYT FAMILY. 

William was a printer at Newburyport, Mass., from whence 
he removed to the lower village in Salisbury, now Orphans 
Home, Franklin, quite early. He was the first merchant in 
that part of the town. In 1793 we find him paying a tax jDf 
£12,0 on his stock in trade. He settled on the farm now owned 
by Benjamin S. Hancock, where he d. about 1805-6; he m. 
Aug. 26, 1794, Mehitable Eastman. (See.) No children blessed 
their union. He taught school here a number of years, both 
Daniel and Ezekiel Webster having been numbered among his 
pupils. The former gives this account of Hoyt — see Curtis's 
Life of Daniel Webster, page 15: "William Hoyt was for 
many years teacher of our country school in Salisbury. I do 
not call it village school, because there was at that time no vil- 
lage, and boys came to school in the winter, the only season in 
which schools were usually open, from distances of several 
miles, wading through the snow or running upon its crust, with 
their curly heads of hair often whitened with frost from their 
own breath. I knew William Hoyt well, and 'every truant 
knew.' He was an austere man but a good teacher of children. 
He had been a printer in Newburyport, wrote a very fine and 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 63 1 

excellent hand, was a good reader, and did teach boys that 
which so few masters can or will do, to read well themselves. 
Beyond this, and perhaps a very slight knowledge of grammar, 
his attainments did not extend. He had brought with him into 
the town a little property, which he took very good care of. 
He rather loved money." 



THE HUNTOON FAMILY. 

The Hunton or Huntoon families of New England are the 
descendants of Philip Hunton, who came to this country when 
a boy. Daniel T. V. Huntoon, of Canton, Mass., who is about 
publishing the " Genealogy of the Huntoon Family," says that 
the true tradition as to where he came from is, that upon the 
revocation of the edict of Nantes, a family bearing the name of 
Hunton fled from France and sought refuge in the island of 
Jersey, whence Philip came to America, and was employed by 
a man by the name of Hall, at Exeter, whose daughter Philip 
subsequently married. On the morning of July 22, 1710, Philip 
and his eldest son, Samuel, were plowing in a field, when they 
were surrounded and fired upon by a band of Indians. Samuel 
fell, mortally wounded. Philip and Jacob Gilman were taken 
prisoners, and suffered the most terrible indignities and cruel- 
ties. After their arrival in Canada they were sold to the F'rench 
as prisoners. For a most authentic and complete record of this 
family the reader is referred to "The Huntoon Genealogy," 
published by Hon. Thomas D. V. Huntoon, son of the Rev. 
Benjamin Huntoon, a native of this town. Nathaniel Huntoon, 
(John, ii, Philip, i,) was born in 1721 ; married (i) May 22, 1742 ; 
married (2) Martha Judkins. He was a grantee of Stevenstown, 
(Salisbury) but never resided here, moving to Unity as early 
as 1772. 

I. Philip, youngest son of the Philip above mentioned, was b. 
about 1694, and d. in May, 1780; m. (i) Dec. 22, 1720, 
Ann Eastman, who d. in 1750; m. (2) — Calliot. He 



632 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

owned a right in the township of Unity, which he sold 
to his son Benjamin. Between 1772 and 1775 he re- 
moved to Salisbury, settling at South road. 

(2.) Benjamin, the fifth child of Philip, (i) and a grandson of 
Philip first above mentioned, was b. at Kingston, Sept. 
4, 1729, and d. Dec. 12, 1815 ; m. (i) Feb. 7, 1750, Judith 
(Sarah) Clough, of Poplin, who d. April 17, 1756; m. 
(2) Abigail Page ; m. (3) Mercy Dearborn, who was b, 
Aug. 21, 1732, and d. Oct. 23, 1791 ; m. (4) Hannah 
James, widow of Samuel Dearborn. He served in the 
memorable expedition against Louisburg. In 1746 we 
find him doing scout duty in Capt. Daniel Ladd's com- 
pany, afterwards serving at various times from 1750 to 
1759. In 1776 he had charge of the powder belonging 
to New Britain, (Andover.) He served at Bennington, 
in Capt. Webster's company. In 1778 he was engaged 
in apprehending deserters, and in 1783, as constable of 
this town, he received money to defend the western 
frontier. In 1772 Benjamin bought of George Jaffrey, 
of Portsmouth, his one hundred acre lot. No. 64, third 
range, on which he settled and died. 

3. Philip, b. Nov. 20, 1751 ; d. in 1780; m. — Fellows. 

4. Jonathan, b. Jan. 4, 1754; m. Sarah Prescott, (?) ; he d. March 25, 1S15. 

5. Sarah, b. March 17, 1767; m. Isaac Marston ; d. Aug. 28, 1814. 

6. Nathaniel, b. June 16, 1759. (See.) 

7. Mary, b. Dec. 15, 1761 ; m. Joseph Fellows, of Andover; d. March 29, 1805. 

8. Hannah, b. Nov. 13, 1763; m. Jonathan Bartlett, of Norwich, Vt. ; d. March 

7, 1858. 

9. Benjamin, b. April 6, 1765. (See.) 10. Anna, b. Aug. 13, 1766. 

II. Samuel. 12. Rebecca, b. Nov. 28, 1769; m. David Webster; d. May 28, 1836. 

13. Elizabeth, b. May 3, 1771 ; m. Jonathan Brown, of Andover ; d. Aug. 9, 1853. 

14. John, b. July 15, 1773; ^- ^^^- ^5' ^79^' Rebecca, dau. of Joseph Calef, who 

d. Sept. 17, 1836; he removed to Andover, 111., and d. Oct. 26, 1818. 

15. Mercy, b. April 18, 1775; m. June 16, 1796, David Chandler, of Hanover; she 

d. in May, 1833. 

16. Anna, b. Aug. 13, 1776; m. Jonathan Bartlett, of Norwich, Vt. ; d. Dec. i6> 

1838. 

(6.) Nathaniel probably settled on Raccoon hill, east of the 
barn standing in 1881 north of B. F. Sanborn's, from 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 633 

which place he used a larp^e tree to signal from to each 
of his brothers; m. Sept. lo, 1783, Hannah Webster, 
who was b. in 1756 and d. Jan. 22, 1793 ; had one son, 
Nathaniel, b. here March 26, 1785, who graduated at 
Dartmouth College in [808, read law and settled in prac- 
tice at Portsmouth, where he d. July 2, 1816. 

(9.) Benjamin m. (i) May 10, 1792, Mehitable, dau. of Onesi- 
phorus and Mehitable (Doty) Page, who was b. Sept. i, 
1771, and d. Sept. 9, 1804; m. {2) May 21, 1805, Hannah 
Baker, of Bow, who was b. Sept. 15, 1774, and d. March 
28, 1843 ; she was a daughter of Joseph and Marion 
(Moore) Baker. He resided on the homestead and d. 
Jan. 26, 1856. He held a high position in the town, and 
was much respected for his honesty and christian worth. 
In the church he took a prominent part, and was chosen 
a deacon of the Congregational church, July 9, 1815. 

17. Benjamin, b. Nov. 2S, 1792. (See.) 

18. Mehitable P., b. May 2, 1S06; m. Oct. 3, 1848, Jolin White; he d. Feb. 25, 

1874; she resides in Enfield. 

19. John, b. Nov 27, 1S14; d. Jan. 19, 1854; m. Oct. 4, 1838, Mary J., dau. of 

Amos and Hannah ( Sherburne ) Fifield, and resided on the homestead. 
Children: i. Henry, b. Oct. 4, 1S40; m. Nov. 13, 1S59, P^meline V. Fol- 
lansbee. 11. Mary A., b. March 2, 1S47 ; m. Jan. 12, 1S67, Perry H.Cheney, 
of Warner; resides in East Lexington, Mass. iii. Diantha A., b. Feb. 23, 
1850; m. Sept. 7, 18S2, Edward Wood, and resides at East Lexington. 

(11.) Samuel, first child of Mercy, was b. May 10, 1768, and 
d. Dec. 13, 1835 ; m. June 4, 1801, Martha, dau. of Eben- 
ezer and Mary (Adams) Tucker, of Salisbury, Mass., who 
d. Oct. 18, 1850. 

20. Mary A., b. Nov. 15. 1802 ; m. Oct. 30, 1S32, Jonathan French, of Hopkinton. 

She d. -Vpril 14, 1S80. 

21. Nathaniel D., b. Aug. 10, 1804; d. July 18, 1S61 ; m. Oct. 18, 1832, Rhoda J. 

True. Children: I. George H., b. Nov. 27, 1834; d. in May, 1S57, unm. 
II. Charles F., b. .Sept. 23, 1S36; m. Gcorgie A. Ford, of Concord, where 
they reside. III. J. Frank, b. Sept. 13, 1839; d. Oct. 4, 1864; m. Mary E. 
Aske, of Brighton, 111. 

22. Sarah S., b. April 26, i8aS ; m. Nov. 23, 1S36, Ebcnezer Thurston, of Hill ; she 

d. June 9, 1839. 

23. Martha F., b. Dec. 6, 1812; m. Aug. 15, 1S36, John W. Robertson, of Frank- 

lin. She d. Jan. 7, 187S. 



634 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

24. Samuel W., b. Sept. 15, 1814; d. Sept. 10, 1818. 

25. Harriet A., b. May 27, 1S16; d. April 30, 1817. 

26. Harriet N., b. Feb. 18, 1818; m. Jan. 19, 1854, Nathan Kilburn. (See.) She 

d. Sept. 3, 1881. 

27. Samuel N., b. Nov. 4, 1821 ; d. Feb. 25, 1823. 

(17.) Benjamin, (Rev.) m. (i) Sept. 4, 1820, Susan, dau. of 
Amos and Charlotte (True) Pettengill, who d. at Peoria, 
111., Nov. 8, 1839; ni- (2) July 7, 1841, Lydia Bowman, 
dau. of Edmund and Elizabeth (Vose) Baker, who was 
b. at Dorchester, Feb. 20, 1806, and d. at Canton, Mass., 
Oct. 2, 1844; m. (3) July 30, 1846, Ann Payson, dau. of 
Elijah and Fanny (.Sumner) Lewis, who was b. at Rox- 
bury, Mass., Aug. 13, 1804. His early life was passed 
on his father's farm, at North road. He commenced his 
academical studies, preparatory to entering college, at 
the Academy in Salisbury, and graduated at Dartmouth 
in 1 8 17. During all this time he supported himself by 
teaching school. He had the ninth appointment in the 
graduating exercises, which was a dialogue with Benja- 
min Woodbury, who was his college chum, on the ques- 
tion, "Which of the learned professions is more favora- 
ble to literary eminence. Divinity or Law.?" Mr. Huntoon 
taking the side of divinity. After leaving college he 
taught the academy at his native town until 18 19, when 
he entered upon the study of divinity at Andover Theo- 
logical Seminary. In the spring of 1829, his health fail- 
ing, he went to Boston and took charge of an academy 
in Salem street. While carrying on this school he was 
invited to the ministry of the First Congregational 
church in Canton, Mass., and was ordained January 30, 
1822, Rev. John Pierce, of Brookline, preaching the ser- 
mon, Rev. Henry Ware giving the right hand of fellow- 
ship. He soon became widely and favorably known as 
a most earnest worker and eloquent preacher, and prob- 
ably delivered more occasional discourses than almost 
any other minister in the neighborhood. In the latter 
part of the year 1829 he was invited to preach the ser- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 635 

mon at the dedication of a new Unitarian church, in Ban- 
gor, Me., and the society there prevailed on him to resign 
his pastorate at Canton, and he was installed at Bangor 
in June, 1830. In the fall of 1833, his health failing 
under his numerous and onerous labors, he asked and 
received a dismission from that church, and spent the 
winter at Savannah, Ga., preaching to the Unitarian 
society there. In 1834 he returned to the north with 
reinvigorated health, and was installed over the First 
Congregational church, in Milton, (Rev. Dr. Morrison's) 
Oct. 15, 1834. Again, on account of failing health, he 
was obliged to resign his charge, and passed the winter 
in the then far west, preaching at Peoria, and at Chicago, 
111. In the spring of 1837 he was invited to settle at 
Cincinnati, O., where he remained one year. In June, 
1838, he went to Peoria, where he remained preaching 
to the First Unitarian church there until August, 1840, 
when he was invited by the church in Canton, where he 
had been first ordained, to return, and he was according- 
ly re-installed at Canton, March 13, 1841. In 1849 he 
resigned the pastorate and went to Marblehead, Mass., 
where he became the pastor of the Second Congrega- 
tional society. In 1855, his health failing, he left that 
place, and in May, 1856, took charge of the parish at 
Winchendon, Mass., where he remained until Nov. 8, 
1857. In April, 1859, he was installed over the society 
at Westboro', but, his health continuing to fail, he was 
forced to relinquish his charge in February, i860. In 
the fall of that year, having a desire to return to the 
place where he had been first ordained to the ministry, 
and where he had passed so many happy years, he re- 
turned to Canton and refitted and repaired his old house. 
Here he spent the declining years of his life, blessed with 
the love and fellowship of those who had known and re- 
vered him in his earlier days, a constant worshipper and 
an occasional preacher in the church which was erected 
through his exertions in the first years of his ministry. 



636 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

His presence and his daily walk were a benediction and 
a psalm. His name was a household word in every fam- 
ily. The traditions of his early labors were familiar to 
all. Those whom he met at the sacrament of the Lord's 
supper — those whom he had blessed at the marriage 
— those whom he had baptized in infancy, whom he had 
watched over in the schools and counselled in their riper 
years — alike revered and loved him, and came weeping 
as mourners to his funeral. And when he died — 

" He fell like autumn fruit that mellowed long, 
Or, like a clock worn out by eating time, 
The wheels of weary life at last stood still." 

His death occurred on the morning of April 19, 1864, 
from paralysis. It does not become us to attempt an 
analysis of his character. At the funeral the Rev. Dr. 
Thompson, of Jamaica Plain, spoke of him as one pecul- 
iarly fitted to be a pioneer in the advance of liberal 
Christianity. His services were sought for by the infant 
churches in every part of the country. There was an 
earnestness of personal, vital piety, an animated hopeful- 
ness and an enthusiasm of manner which gave great 
power and effect to all his pulpit labors. He was an 
active and zealous laborer in the cause of human broth- 
erhood, and recognized and zealously maintained the 
rights of all men, of whatever color, or creed, or condi- 
tion. He was the uncompromising opponent of every 
form of oppression, took a manly stand on all the live 
questions of the hour, while his voice, his pen, his purse, 
his house, were always at the service of those who strove 
to promote the public good. He was proposed for the 
degrees in masonry, in St. John's Lodge, Boston, in 182 1, 
and on the third day of April the same year was raised 
to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Upon his re- 
turn to Canton in 1822 he connected himself with Rising 
Star Lodge, also with Mt. Zion Royal Arch Chapter, at 
Stoughton ; was exalted March 11, 1825, and in the fol- 
lowing December was elected High Priest ; he held the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 63/ 

office of Grand Chaplain for. five years. In 1842 and 
1843 he served as District Deputy Grand Master of the 
then Fifth Masonic District. On May 4, 1842, he deliv- 
ered an eulogy, by special request of the Grand Lodge, 
upon the deaths of T. M. Harris, D. D., and Samuel 
Thaxter, M. D. On March 13, 1844, Winslovv Lewis, 
M. D., having resigned the office of Corresponding Grand 
Secretary, Bro. Huntoon was elected to fill the vacancy 
and the office from 1845 to 1848 inclusive. In 1853 he 
was Junior Grand Warden. He was a constant attendant 
upon the meetings of the Grand Lodge. He was Grand 
High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massa- 
chusetts, in 1849, 1850, and 1851, also receiving the 
Council degrees. For over forty years he was an enthu- 
siastic member of the fraternity. In the old anti-masonic 
times, when he preached it was a frequent occurrence 
for some of his hearers to go out. On one occasion, 
when this method of showing their hostility to masonry 
had been freely indulged in, and quite a number had left 
the sanctuary, a prominent "Jack" remarked, "I had 
always thought that Mr. Huntoon was a good preacher, 
but never knew before that he had apostolic powers." 
Upon being asked what he meant, he replied, "Because 
he has cast out many devils." It has been related upon 
good authority that Bro. Huntoon remarked: "Should 
the fanaticism of the day require me to renounce mason" 
ry, or give up my position as a clergyman, I should un- 
hesitatingly leave the ministry." The following among 
his discourses have been published : Masonic Address 
at Walpole, 1823 ; Sermon preached at South Dedham, 
1825 ; Oration at the laying in masonic form the corner- 
stone of the court-house at Dedham, July 4, 1825 ! Ser- 
mon at dedication of the church at North Bridgewater, 
Aug. 9, 1826; Address at the installation of Mt. Zion 
R. A. Chapter, Stoughton, Dec. 15, 1828; Sermon at 
dedication of the Unitarian Church at Bangor, Me., 
1829 Sermon at installation of Rev. \Vm. Farmer, at 



638 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Augusta, Me., 1831 ; Sermon at Belgrade, Me., 1831 ; 
Sermon at re-opening and dedication of a church at Mil- 
ton, Dec. 9, 1835 ; Masonic Oration at Ottawa, III, 1839 ; 
Eulogy in commemoration of Rev. and R. W. Thaddeus 
Mason Harris, D. D., and R. W. Brother Samuel Thax- 
ter, M. D., Boston, 1842; an Address delivered on the 
occasion of the centennial celebration of Hiram Lodge, 
New Haven, 1850. 

28. Benjamin, b. here July 6, 1821 ; d. at Milton, Mass., Oct. 18, 1834. 

29. Frederick W. L., b. at Canton, Mass., July 26, 1824; d. at Marblehead, Mass., 

Aug. (or May) 14, 1S68 ; m. Sept. 9, 1850, Ann Chamberlain. 

30. Marcellus, b. at Canton, July 18, 1826. 

31. John, b. at Canton, Aug. 4, 1828; m. Jan. 20, 1868, Mary G. Hyde, and resides 

at Boise City, Idaho Territory. 

32. Isaac D., b. at Bangor, Me., July 20, 1830; m. June 3, 187 1, Clara E. Priest- 

man, and resides at San Francisco, Cal. 

33. Susan M., b. at Bangor, Me., June 30, 1832; m. Aug. 3, 1853, Rev. John Tal- 

magc ; she d. at Peoria, 111., June 11, 1854. 

34. Benjamin B., b. at Bolton, Mass., Jan. 30, 1836; m. Aug. 14, i860, Sarah J. 

Huntoon, of Hanover ; resides at Louisville, Ky. 

35. Daniel Thomas Vose, b. at Canton, Mass., Sept. 4, 1842; 

m. Oct. 23, 1867, Ella A. French. In Jan., i860, he re- 
moved to Kentucky, remaining there a year ; read law 
with Elias Adams, Esq., at Canton, during 1862 and 
1863; he travelled extensively through the old world; 
returning in 1866, he was chosen superintendent of the 
public schools at Canton, holding the office for two terms 
with much credit ; resides at Canton. 

36. Phineas Huntoon, {4) — Daniel, (3) John, (2) Philip, (i) — 

was b. at Kingston, April 22, 1768, and settled on the 
south line of Andover ; part of the farm and the barn, 
which is still standing, are in Salisbury. The farm is 
now (1881) occupied by Charles E. Currier. Later in 
life he removed to Salisbury, residing in a house which 
stood at the corner just west of Mr. Alpheus Huntoon's, 
where he d. Dec. 7, 1836; m. May 3, 1789, Mehitable 
French, who d. April 21, 1840. Children, all born in 
Andover : 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 639 

37. William, b. April 22, 1789. (Sec.) 

38. Mehitahle, b. Oct. 14, 1791 ; m. James Morse, of Salisbury. She d. Nov. 11 > 

1S26. 

39. Nathaniel, b. Keb. 4, 1793. (See.) 

40. Joseph v., b. May 17, 1795; m. (i) Ann Blaisdell ; m. (2) Hetsey Sleeper; m* 

(3) — and removed west. 

41. Daniel, b. Dec. 17, 1797; m. Melinda Norris. 

42. Phineas, b. Nov. 7, 179S. (See). 

43. Abigail, b. Aug. 7, iSoo; m. Kdward Doanc. 

44. Sarah, b. Oct. 17, 1802; m. David Barnard. She d. April 24, 1837. 

45. Polly, b. May 18, 1804; m. Charles Iluntoon, of Unity ; she d. March 12, 1843. 

46. Aurelia, b. March 16, 1806; m. David Barnard. 

47. John v., b. Nov. 19, 1808. ( See.) 

48. Lavinia, b. Oct 18, rSio; m. Philo Cilley. 

49. Eliza, b. May 11, 1814; d. March 26, 1836, unm. 

(37-) William remained on the farm, thence removing to An- 
dover Centre; d. March i8, 1867; m. Dec. i, 1814, 
Lydia, dau. of Dea. Hubbard Stevens, (see) who d. April 
10, 1868. 



Sylvester, b. April i6, 1S15; d. April 15, 1820. 

William H., b. Oct. 8, 1817; m. Nov. 25, 1S41, Martha C. Gookin ; remained 

for a time on the farm, then removed to Newport; d. June 19, 1875. 
Lydia A., b. Sept. 9, 1820; d. Aug. 26, 1843. 
Sylvester, b. Sept. 9, 1823; d. Sept. 7, 1824. 
Sylvester Dana, b. Sept. 29, 1825; d. at Hopkinton, Sept. 9, i860; m. Martha 

B. Ordway. 
Sylvanus, b. Sept. 7, 1S28; d. Dec. 23, 185S, unm. 
Elizabeth AL, b. Sept. 26, 1832; m. William L. Bennett, of Concord. 
Annette R., b. May 20, 1S37; m. Aug. 22, 1871, David E. Clark, of Andover. 



(39.) Nathaniel after his marriage removed to Wilmot, after- 
wards returning to the house which stood just west of 
his birth-place, and after several removals finally returned 
to Salisbury and d. — ; m. Betsey Colby. 

58. John. 59. Moses. 60. P.etsey. 61. Daniel. 62. Scth. 63. ICnoch. 
64. Woodman. 65. Daniel. 66, John. 67. George N. 68. Sarah A. 
69. George. 70. Harriet. 71. Martin. 72. Read. 73. Charles. 

(42.) Phineas removed to Salisbury, residing in the house oc- 
cupied by his son Alpheus, where he d. June 4, 1877; 
m. (i) Catherine Sleeper; m. (2) Julia Gookin; m. (3) 
Adeline Sleeper. 



640 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



Martha A., b. Nov. 23, 1831 ; ir.. — Williams and d. in 1855. 

Luther H., b. June 12, 1836; m. March 20, 1861, Betsey Heath, by whom he 

had Nahum W., b. Feb. 7, 1862, d. July 18, 1882. 
Cyrus, b. March 13, 1837 ; m. Patience Rocket ; he d. at Fall River, Mass., 

Jan. I, 1875. 
Malvina, d. young. 
Herrick C, b. Jan. 18, 1S42 ; m. Aug. 1869, Emma Hobbs ; resides in Lowell, 

Mass. 
Kate S., b. Dec. 5, 1844; m. Alfred Sanborn and resides in Franklin. 
Levi S., b. Jan. 20, 1846 : m. — and res. at Providence, R. I. 
Alpheus, b. March 11, 1849; m. June 28, 1873, Isabella Morgan, of Warner, by 

whom he had John, b. April 25, 1875. ^^^ <^'^d — ^^^7- 
Jennie N., b. June 17, 1S49; ■"• (George W. Childs and resides at Lawrence, 

Mass. 
Nahum, b. Nov. 4. 1850, and d. in 1S53. 
Lizzie M., b. July 24, 1853, unm. 



(47.) John F. resided in the William Pingrey house at the foot 
of the hill ; he d. May 10, 1881 ; m. (i) Nov., 1837, Erne- 
line A. Saunders, who was b. in 18 15 and d. March 26, 
1847; m. (2) Sept. 10, 1848, Aphia K. Putney, of Hop- 
kinton. 

85. John F., b. in 1S37 and d. in 1838. 

86 John F., b. April 5, 1839; d. at Vicksburg, Miss., in 1864, unm. 

87. Emeline, b. in 1841 and d. the same year. 

88. Henrietta E., b. Aug. 25, 1S42 ; m. J. G. Colburn, of Manchester. 

89. Cora A., b. Nov. 24, 1S45; ^- ^- ^- Roberts and resides at Manchester. 

Children by second wife : 

90. Warren, b. Nov. 19, 1850; m. Nellie S. Morrill and resides at Hopkinton. 

91. Mary E., b. Dec. 7, 1851; d. May 10, 1868. 

92. Cyrus P., b. May 12, 1853. 93. Caroline J., b. Feb. 11, 1855. 

94. Selina S., b. April 29, 1857 ; d. Feb. 8, 1879. 

95. Charles H., b. Nov. 19, i860. 



THE HUTCHINS FAMILY. 

I. Joseph, son of Joseph and Polly (Allen) Hutchings, (for- 
merly so spelled,) son of Edward, who was a son of one of the 
brothers who emigrated to America from Scotland, was born at 
Kittery, Me., June 15, 1813, where he subsequently followed 
the sea for four years, afterwards learning the house carpenter 





^^ 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 64I 

trade at Boston, Mass. Removing to Charlestown, thence to 
Salisbury in 1846, purchasing the John Carter place, and event- 
ually buying the Samuel C. Bartlett property. He married Mary, 
daughter of John and Mary (Burdette) Taylor, who was born 
at Harvard, Mass., June, 181 7; he died June 29, 1884. Children 
born at Charlestown : 

2. George H. ( See.) 

3. Mary A., b. June 4, 1S42; m. June 4, 1862, Frederick S. Fifield. ( See.) 

4. Sarah A., b. Aug. 20, 1S45; ^ ^ct. 2, 1S66, Joseph M. Gerrish, of Townsend^ 

Mass. 

5. Joseph S., b. in Salisbury, June 5, 1S54; d. 1S60. 

(2.) George H., M. D., b. at Charlestown, Mass., Feb. 3, 1840. 
At the age of six years he removed to Salisbury, where 
he received his education, finishing at the academy. En- 
tered Harvard Medical College in 1857, where he was 
under the instruction of Drs. Oliver Wendell Holmes, 
Henry J. Bigelow, Horatio Storer and others. Possess- 
ing an independent and progressive mind he read eclectic 
medicine and received his degree of M. D. at the Eclec- 
tic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, May 22, 1861. 
In the following October he began practice at Wilmot, 
remaining three years. In April, 1864, he removed to 
Townsend, Mass., where he met with good success, and 
was town physician for three years. Through the advice 
of friends he removed to Woburn, Mass., where he con- 
tinues. He is strong in his convictions, believing the 
"eclectic method" the only true and scientific manner 
of practicing the healing art. *' Mag?ia est Veritas et 
prevahcbit." He was a delegate to the National Eclectic 
Association at Philadelphia, in 1870, and elected Vice 
President of the same, holding the office four years. In 
1 87 1 he was chosen Professor of Laryngoscopy in the 
Eclectic Medical College of Pennsylvania, where he re- 
mained two years. In 1876 he became a member of the 
Massachusetts Eclectic Medical Society, and was during 
the same year sent as a delegate to the National Eclec- 
tic Convention, held at Washington, and in 18S2 was 
41 



642 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

again chosen a delegate to the same body in their con- 
vention held at New Haven, Conn. He was editor of 
the "Journal of Rational Medicine," and author of "The 
Laryngoscope in Diseases of the Larynx," and "Aphony, 
its Causes and Cure." He m. June 4, 1862, Emily M. 
Lathrop, of Auburndale, Mass. 

6. Joseph H., b. at Wilmot, Oct. 13, 1863; a student at Tufts College. 

7. Alice J., b. at Townsend, Mass., Oct. 11, 1S66. 



THE JOHNSON FAMILY. 

The first ancestor of this family, so far as I have been able to 
learn, was Maurice Johnson, Esq., M. P. for Stamfort in 1523. 
Isaac Johnson was the first of the name in America, and one of 
the original settlers of Massachusetts; arrived at Salem June 
12, 1630, and died Sept. 30 following. By virtue of nobility and 
wealth he ranked next to Gov. Winthrop. Edward and Wil- 
liam, half-brothers of Isaac, came to America about 1630. For 
a more extended notice of the family see Mass. Historical Col- 
lections, Vol. I, p. 252. 

I. Ebenezer Johnson, of Plaistow, bought of John Webster, of 
Stevenstown, (Salisbury) fifty acres of land, the north 
half of the lOO acre lot laid out for Jonathan Greeley, 
No. 15, ist range, paying for the same ;^350 old tenor, 
under date of May 3, 1767. Mr. Johnson immediately 
came here and settled on the above land, (at the top of 
the small hill west of William Holmes) and built a large 
house, in which the ordination of the Rev. Jonathan 
Searles took place. His son James having removed to 
Enfield, the old gentleman went there and spent his last 
days. 

2. Moses settled in Sutton, resided on the George Wells farm for a time, and re- 

moved to — ; m. Jan. 22, 1799, Ruth Chase. 

3. James. ( See.) [ Both James and Moses were b. at Sandown.] 

4. Sally, m. — Goodhue and removed to Plainfield. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 643 

(2.) Capt. James, accompanied with his brother Moses, entered 
Capt. Blanchard's company, which marched from Salis- 
bury to No. 4, (Charlestovvn ) thence on to I^ennington 
and Ticonderoga, also serving at Saratoga and through 
the revolution. Upon entering the army he was but six- 
teen years of age and weighed 96 pounds ; his knapsack 
and contents weighed 22 pounds, to which add his mus- 
ket, (no light affair) a horn containing a pound of pow- 
der, bullets, flint, canteen, etc. While a resident of En- 
field his son James boarded at Capt. David Pettengill's 
and went to school at Centre road, the schoolhouse stand- 
ing near George Kilburn's. While the children were 
playing with a large cartwheel it ran over a Pettengill 
boy, killing him instantly. This fatality occurred May 
20, 1801. James m. (i) Mehitable, dau. of Capt. David 
Pettengill ; they remained on the farm some years, then 
removed to Enfield, where he was connected with the 
building of the 4th New Hampshire turnpike, and was 
one of the original proprietors. After the death of his 
father he removed to Salisbury, settling near the Dr. 
Sleeper place, thence removing to the west part of the 
town, on the centre rangeway, opposite Zachariah Scrib- 
ner's, where he d. May 5, 1833, aged "jt^. She d. Feb. 15, 
1816 ; he m. (2) Jan. 1818, Anne Johnson, of Hopkinton, 
where she was b. May 20, 1769 ; (.'') she d. June 26, 1862. 
Children, who lived to grow up : 

4. John. 5. Mehitable m. Oliver Goodhue, of Enfield; d. in Illinois. 

6. James m. Persia — and d. at Colchester, Vt. He resided here for a time and 

made bricks. 

7. Ebenezer, b. at Enfield, Jan. 16, 1794. (See.) 

8. Anne, ni. (i) Nov. i6, 1S15, Thomas Chase; m. (2) Enoch J. Chase; d. at 

Wilmot. 

9. Abigail, m. (i) Sept. 25, 1S27, Nehemiah Story, of Enfield; m. (2) Eleazer 

Taylor, (.') ; d. in Vermont. 

10. Rebecca, m. John Peasley ; d. in Vermont. 

11. David m. Catharine, an adopted daughter of Ebenezer Taylor; resided (1882) 

at Bristol, and d. Sept. 25, 18S7. 

(7.) Ebenezer returned to Salisbury when seventeen years of 
age and resided for a long period opposite Zachariah 



644 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Scribner's. He had been connected with town offices 
and possessed the good will and respect of his townsmen. 
He m. (i) March 14, 1822, Dorothy Hildreth, who d. 
May 12, 1845 ; m. (2) Feb. 4, 1846, Lydia Stevens, who 
d. Oct. 28, 1865; m. (3) Harriet K. Rollins; he d. — 
1888. David was a brother of Ebenezer ; his wife d. 
Sept. 25, 1887. 

12. Mehitable J., b. Dec. ii, 1822; m. William Holmes. (See.) 

13. Ephraim, b. in June, 1824; d. Aug. 30, 1826. 

14. Ebenezer, b. in Feb. 1829; d. March 4, 1845. 

15. Moses, b. Dec. i, 1846; m. Hattie Poor, of Peabody, Mass., where he was en- 

gaged in mercantile pursuits ; resides at Kansas City, Mo. 



THE JUDKINS FAMILY. 

THREE BRANCHES. 

The ancestors of this family came from England and settled 
in Rhode Island, afterwards removing to Hampton. The three 
brothers removed to Salisbury from Kingston, Mass. 

FIRST BRANCH. 

I. Leonard, the elder brother, came previous to 1768, settling 
on the Moses Clement farm at South road. After clear- 
ing the farm he removed to Danbury ; m. Aug. 6, 1763, 
Sarah Cram ; he was a tailor by trade. 

2. Obediah, b. Aug. 6, 1764; m. Elizabeth Lewis, of Boscawen, and removed to 

Danbury. 

3. Leonard, b. Aug. 26, 1770; one of his descendants was Leonard, who m. in 

Andover Mary Fellows, who was b. Oct. 10, 1826. 

4. Sarah, b. Jan. 5, 1774; (?) m. Jacob Bohonon. (See.) 

5. Moses, b. Aug. 23, 1775; d. Sept. 20, 1775. 

6. Jonathan, b. Sept. 20, 1777; removed to Portsmouth. Benjamin. {}) 

SECOND BRANCH. 

7. Caleb Judkins settled on the west side of Searles hill, near 
the Thompson schoolhouse, his occupation being that of 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 645 

a tailor, thereby earning the nick-name of "Tailor Jud- 
kins." He remained in Salisbury until his death, Aug. 
25, 1816, aged 43 ; (?) m. Jan. 13, 1777, Mary Huntoon. 

S. Anna, b. Feb. 27, 177S. 9. Molly, b. July 18, 1780; m. Daniel True. 

10. Caleb, b. March 30, 1783. Entered Dartmouth College, 

but through lack of funds left in his second year ; he re- 
moved to Unity, where he became an influential citizen. 

11. Hilton, b. May 25, 1786. 12. Mehitable, b. May, 3, 1788; d. Nov. 2, 1797. 

13. Benjamin, b. March 13, 1791 ; m. May 9, 1815, Ketsey Thompson; resided on 

the river road. He was a cooper by trade. 

14. Moses, b. Jan. 12, 1794 ; m. Jan. 29, 1S29, Sally True, and settled at Claremont. 

15. Levi, b. Nov. 20, 1796; removed to Unity. 

16. Daniel, b. April 11, 1799. 17. Joel. 

18. Joseph. ( The two last named removed to Sutton and married.) 

THIRD BRANCH. 

19. Samuel Judkins settled on North road, just beyond the 

"birthplace," and for some years worked in the Col. 
Ebenezer Webster sawmill. He did faithful service in 
the revolutionary war. Children, so far as known : 



Mehitable, b. in Kingston; m. Daniel Oilman; d. at Springfield. 
Abigail, b. in Kingston; m. Abial Hardy; d. at Springfield. 
A daughter, m. Samuel Pettengill ; d. at Springfield. 
Betsey, m. — Kimball. 24. Samuel, b. in 1766. ( See.) 
Benjamin, remained on the farm and d. — 26. Moses. 



(24.) Samuel, who was undoubtedly one of the first children, 
m. Abigail, dau. of Reuben Greeley ; resided at Spring- 
field some twenty-five years, but returned to Salisbury 
and bought a farm on the rangeway between Salisbury 
and Andover, where he d. Feb. 21, 1843 ; she d. Feb. 6, 
1858, aged 86. Children, all b. at Springfield : 

27. Samuel, b. June 23, 1793. (See.) 28. Joel. 

29. Richard, b. March 17, 1800. ( See.) 

30. Hiram, m. Dorothy Judkins: d. in the west. 

31. Lewis, b. — ; m. Kazhariah Roe; remained on the farm, which came into his 

possession ; adopted a daughter .Mary. 

32. Mary, b. — ; m. — Goss, of Springfield. 

33. Hannah, b. — ; m. March 13, 1817, Samuel Sawyer. ( See.) 



646 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

34. Sarah, b. — ; m. Elijah George and resides at Manchester. 

35. Edith, b. June 22, iSio; m. June, 1848, Anthony Colby, of Franklin. 

(27.) Samuel resided on the river road, in what is now Frank- 
lin, where he conducted a farm and also carried on the 
cooper's business, accumulating considerable property. 
He was a devout christian and a man much respected by 
his townsmen. He d. May i8, 1873 ; m. — Kimball, of 
Warner; she d. in 1871. 

36. Jeremiah K., b. — ; m. — Davis, and resides at Franklin Falls. It is said he 

was the first child born in Franklin after the town was incorporated. 

37. Nancy, b. — ; m. T. O. Whittier. 

38. Louisa, b. — ; m. Simeon Brown ; she d. — 

39. Horace, b. — ; m. — Davis; he d. — She m. (2) Joseph Brown. 

(29.) Richard m. in Boston, Apr. 21, 1827, Mehitable Worthen, 
of Candia, who was b. Dec. 31, 1802, and d. Oct. i, 1881. 
After a residence of eight years in Charlestown, Mass., 
he removed to the homestead, afterwards buying the Ash 
farm on the river road, where he remained eight years, 
then permanently settled at Franklin village. 

40. Mary, b. at Charlestown, April 26, 1829, unm. 

41. Edwin, b. at Franklin, Feb. 12, 1833; m. Mary Ladd and resides at Franklin. 

42. Joseph G., b. June 2, 1834; m. Chastina Noyes and resides at Franklin. 

A Judkins m. a daughter of Benjamin Pettengill, ist. 

The following notes are copied from the first church records of 
Kingston : 

Joel Judkins m. Mehitable Calkins and had: i. Leonard, b. Sept., 1741. 11. Sam- 
uel, b. Jan. 8, 1736. III. Moses, b. Feb. 9, 1738. iv. Hannah, b. — v. Jos- 
eph, b. Aug. 23, 1743. VI. Abi, b. Aug. 9, 1745. vii. Mehitable, b. Nov. 
22, 1747; d. 1749. viii. Benjamin, b. April 18, 1749. ix. Henry, b. Dec. 

5. 1750- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 64/ 



THE KELLEY FAMILY. 

I. Hon. Israel Webster Kelley was the son of Moses Kelley, 
of Newbury, (Newburyport ) Mass., who commanded a company 
in the revolutionary war, and was sheriff of Hillsborough coun- 
ty in 1S03. Judge Kelley, as he was familiarly called, was born 
in Goffstown, Jan. 4, 1778, removing to Salisbury from Bridge- 
water in 1S03, residing in the Pliny A. Fellows house, then in 
the William Moulton house, after which he removed to Concord, 
east side, about 1843-4, ^"cl died there March 10, 1857. For a 
period of thirty-five years he was one of our most prominent 
citizens, and always regarded as a talented and accomplished 
gentleman. He was sheriff of Hillsborough county from 1813 
to 1818 : Judge of the Court of Sessions for the same county 
in 1821 ; was re-appointed upon the formation of Merrimack 
county, and continued in that office until the court was abol- 
ished. Judge Kelley did much pension business for the revolu- 
tionary soldiers. Under President Taylor he was appointed U. 
S. Marshal, remaining until removed by President Pierce. In 
politics he was a republican, and although the town was demo- 
cratic he held the office of moderator of our annual town meet- 
ings for thirteen years, besides holding other town offices. In 
what is known as the " Oxford war," which was the threatened 
war with PVance during the administration of President John 
Adams, 1797, he was ist Lieut, in Capt. Nathaniel Greene's 
Co., of Boscawen. Married Aug. 17, 1801, Rebecca, daughter 
of Rev. Elijah and Rebecca (Chamberlain) P^letcher, who was 
born at Hopkinton, July 19, 1776, and died — Rev. Elijah 
Fletcher was the son of Timothy and Bridget Fletcher, of 
Westford, Mass. ; he graduated at Harvard College in 1769, and 
was ordained pastor of the first Congregational church at Hop- 
kinton, Jan. 27, 1773; he died April 8, 17S6; his widow mar- 
ried (2) Rev. Christopher Page, which see. By her first hus- 
band she had : i. Bridget, who married Josiah White, of Pitts- 



648 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

field. II. Rebecca, who married Judge Israel Webster Kelley. 
III. Timothy, a merchant at Portland, Me. Grace, born Jan. 
16, 1781 ; married June 10, 1808, Daniel Webster. (See.) She 
died Jan. 21, 1828. 

2. Albert Livingston^ b. at Bridgewater, Aug. 17, 1802. After 

obtaining early school advantages here he fitted for col- 
lege at Atkinson Academy and graduated at Dartmouth 
College in 1822. He read law and began practice at 
Frankfort, Me. He m. at Boston, Feb. 18, 1829, Caro- 
line, dau. of Waldo Pierce, of Frankfort ; he d. at Win- 
terport, Me., Aug. 19, 1885. 

3. Israel Webster, b. in Salisbury, Jan. i, 1804; graduated at 

Dartmouth College in 1825. While at college he dropped 
the name of Israel, and was afterwards known through 
life as Webster Kelley. He read law with Hon. Joseph 
Bell, at Haverhill, Mass., also at Bangor, Me., and prac- 
ticed for a time at Boston, Mass. He m. at Boston, Aug. 
29, 1842, Lucilla S., dau. of Waldo Pierce, of Frankfort, 
Me., in which state he practiced his profession ; he d. 
while on a visit to Henniker, July 5, 1855. 

4. Elijah Fletcher, b. in Jan. 1806; (?) dropped the name of 

Elijah. He served in the Mexican war, holding a Cap- 
tain's commission ; was ship-wrecked, and a few days 
after attacked with yellow fever, from which he d. at the 
age of 32, leaving a widow and three children. 

5. Ann M., b. Oct. 14, 1807 ; resides at Concord, unm. 

6. Ellen W., b. Dec. 1809; m. Nov. 29, 183S, Henry H. Pierce, Esq., and resides 

at Winterport, Me. 

7. William P., b. in 1812, and d. Dec. 27, 1834. 

8.]" Rebecca F., b. Feb. 10, 1S16; resides at Concord, unm. 
9. Sarah E., b. in 1818 ; d. July 6, 1837. 
10. Charlotte S., b. in 1820; m. Charles Willey and resides at Newfield, N. J. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 649 



THE KILBURN FAMILY. 

Thomas, (i) the common ancestor of the family bearing this 
name, residents of Salisbury, was born in the parish of Wood- 
Ditton, Cambridgeshire, England, in 1578. He had Margaret, 
Thomas, Elizabeth, George, Mary, Lydia, Francis, and John. 
In company with five of his children he sailed on the ship "In- 
crease," from England, and settled at Weathersfield, Ct., in 1639. 
His son George (2) married Elizabeth — and resided at Row- 
ley, in 1640. Their fourth child, Samuel, (3) born Sept. i, 1656, 
married Mary Foster. Their fifth child, Jedediah, (4) born 
April 20, 1699, married Susanna Fiske, of Ipswich, and had 
seven children. The eldest was : 

1. Nathan, (5) b. at Rowley in 1750, and removed to Newbury- 

port, Mass., where he m. Sarah Plummer ; he afterwards 
removed to that part of Boscawen now Webster, in 1794, 
where he resided on Corser hill and was an extensive 
land owner. She d. on the farm ; he d. at Grafton, while 
on a visit to Vermont. Of their four children two d. 
young. Their second son was : 

2. James, (6) (Deacon,) b. at Newburyport, Nov. 17, 1783 ; m. 

Nov. 27, 1807, Elizabeth Thurston, who was b. at New- 
buryport, Feb. 24, 17S5. They had si.x children b. in 
Boscawen ; he removed to Salisbury in May, 1852, and 
was soon chosen a deacon of the Congregational church. 
He d. here Nov. 11, 1869; she d. March 20, 1869. 

3. Nathan, (7) fourth child of James and Elizabeth, was b. 

March 2, 1814; m. (i) Dec. 28, 1836, Polly (Mary) Dan- 
forth, who d. June 19, 1853 ; m. (2,) Jan. 9, 1854, Harriet 
Huntoon, who d. Sept. 3, 1S81, after many years of acute 
suffering. Mr. Kilburn remained a few years on the 
Corser hill farm, removing to Salisbury in March, 1856. 

4. .Albert, b. .Aug. 15, 1S40; d. at Vicksburg, Miss., in Dec. 1874. 

5. Sarah C, b. June 25, — ; m. Feb. 9, 1S6S, W. P. Warren. 

6. Angelia, b. Sept. 22, 1847. 7. Marietta, b. June 27, 1S51 ; d. — 



650 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



THE LADD FAMILY. 

Daniel Ladd, the ancestor, came from England in the ship 
"Mary and John," in 1633-4. From him descended Dudley 
Ladd, of Exeter, (son of Nathaniel) who married Dec. 15, 1748, 
Alice Herley, of Haverhill, Mass., at which place they settled 
and had nine children. Their sixth child, (i) Dudley, was born 
July 8, 1758 ; m. March 13, 1783, Bertha Hutchins, of Concord, 
to which place they removed after marriage. He was a hatter 
by trade and resided at the corner of what is now South and 
Pleasant streets, paying for his land ^25 old tenor. Thence he 
removed to Salisbury, (now Franklin) where he died Dec. 23, 
1841. His children were: 

2. Samuel G., b. April 14, 17S4; m. Oct. 3, 1815, Caroline D. Vinal. These were 

the parents of Prof. Horatio O. Ladd, of the State Normal School, at Ply- 
mouth. Mr. Ladd was a tin plate worker, and settled at Hallowell, Me. 
Removed to Pennsylvania and d. — 

3. John, b. Feb. 15, 17S6; m. April 4, 1807, Abigail Prouse, of Portsmouth. He 

was a cabinet maker, and removed to Georgia, where he d. July 26, 1824. 

4. Dudley, b. Aug. 19, 1789. (See.) 

5. Nathaniel G., b. Sept. 25, 1791 ; settled in New York. He was the father of 

W. D. Ladd, for many years a resident of Concord; m. Ann Morton. 
William M., b. Feb. 9, 1794; m. Betsey Collins, who d. — He was for many 
years a druggist at Laconia ; resides at Lynn, Mass. 

(4.) Dudley went to Hallowell, Me., where he served an ap- 
prenticeship with his elder brother at the tinsmith trade. 
In 181 5 he removed to Salisbury East Village, (now 
Franklin) where he began the manufacture of lead pipe, 
in the old Silas (.?) Eastman iron wire shop, standing 
near the outlet of Webster Lake brook, near the Clem- 
ent carriage shop ; his shop was carried away during one 
of the great freshets. He did much piping for aque- 
ducts in this state, as well as in Vermont and Maine, 
and much of his work is still to be seen about the village 
of Franklin, which speaks well for his usefulness and 
thoroughness. When the statehouse was built at Con- 
cord, in 1818, he took the contract for the tinning of the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 65 I 

dome, which he did from a swinging stage. While work- 
ing there one cold windy day his staging caught fire and 
but for rare presence of mind would have burned so as 
to have precipitated him to the ground. In 1833 he 
built the residence of Edwin C. Stone, and the store ; 
the latter was not rented for some years after its comple- 
tion because he would not allow liquor sold on his prem- 
ises. As a man of wealth he erected a number of build- 
ings and did much for the prosperity of the place. Mr. 
Ladd was a strong anti-slavery advocate and often se- 
creted slaves on their way north to liberty, for which he 
was once arrested, but the case never came to trial. He 
•was honorable in his dealings, a strict temperance advo- 
cate, and a devout christian, being one of the pillars of 
the Congregational church erected at that place, having 
united with the church in 1837. He d. March 20, 1875. 
The first stoves in the aforesaid church were a gift from 
him, being cast at his foundry, which stood near the 
present Taylor foundry. He was chairman of the com- 
mittee on building the church and gave personal and pe- 
cuniary aid in its alteration, about 1834. He m. (i) 
May 21, 1823, Charlotte, dau. of Ebenezer Eastman, who 
d, Jan. 30, 1826; m. (2) Dec. 24, 1837, Amanda Palmer, 
of Orford, who still resides at Franklin. 

7. Charlotte E., b. in Hnllowcll, Me., May 5, 1S24; m. Oct. 28, 1845, Edward H. 

Barrett, and resides at Minneapolis, Minn. 

8. Ellen F., b. Nov. 6, 1S3S; m. June 10, 1862, Daniel F. Murphy and resides at 

Stoneham, Mass. . 

9. Harriet L., b. Nov. 11, 1.S40; unm. She was for fourteen years a successful 

teacher at Chauncy Hall .School, Boston, which position she relinquished 
on account of poor health. Resides at \o. 10 Beacon street. 

10. Julia A., b. Oct. 21, 1S42; m. Aug. i, 1 86 r, George O. Baker and resides at 

Boston. 

11. Maria F., b. July 2, 1S44. Vot some years she has been matron at the New 

England Hospital, Boston. It is justly celebrated and the only one of the 
kind in New England, giving treatment to women and children. In addi- 
tion to this women receive special instruction to fit them for the responsi- 
ble position 5f nurses. The institution is conducted by ladies- who are 
strongly interested in the advancement of their sex. 

12. Charles 1)., b. Aug. 13, 1S47, unm. Resides at Benton, Montana. 



652 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



THE LITTLE FAMILY. 

TWO BRANCHES. 

I. George resided on Unicorn street, London, England, 
where he followed the occupation of a tailor. He emigrated to 
Newbury, (Newburyport) Mass., in 1640. He was a man of 
enterprise, thrift and good judgment, acquiring some of the 
most productive land in that town, a large portion of which 
is still held by his descendants. He died between March 25, 
1693, and Nov. 27, 1694; he married (i) Alice Poor, of New- 
bury, who d. Dec. i, 1680, aged 62 ; married (2) Eleanor, wid- 
ow of Thomas Barnard, of Amesbury, who d. Nov. 27, 1694. 
Children by first wife : 

2. Sarah, b. May 8, 1652; d. Nov. 19, 1652. 

3. Joseph, b. Sept. 22, 1653; d. Sept. 6, 1740; m. Oct. 31, 1677, Mary, dau. of 

Tristram Coffin, Esq., of Newbury. 

4. John, b. July 28, 1655; d- July 20, 1672. 

5. Moses, b. March 11, 1657 ; d. March 8, 1691. ( See.) 

6. Sarah, b. Nov. 24, 1661 ; m. March 3, 1682, Joseph Illsley, of Newbury. 

(5.) Moses (2) m. Lydia Coffin, and had Moses (3) b. Feb. 26, 
1691 ; m. Sarah Jacques, and had John, (4) b. Nov, 16, 
1721 ; m. Temperance Ripp and had — 

7. William Coffin, (5) the fifth descendant from the ancestor, 
b. at Newburyport, Mass., Nov. 17, 1745. He learned 
the trade of a silversmith and removed to Amesbury, 
where he followed his trade for ten years. About 1800 
Mr. Little purchased the old Andrew Pettengill place of 
Jonathan Carlton Pettengill, who had in 1798 built the 
main house and made other extensive repairs. In 1801 
Mr. Little removed his family here and took up farming, 
which he continued until his death, Dec. 16, 1816, aged 
71 ; m. — ; his wife d. Oct. 18, 1840, aged 95. 

8. Thomas R., b. Sept. 29, 1769; d. July 8, 17S4. 

9. William, b. April 7, 1771. He followed the occupation of his father and re- 

moved to Philadelphia, where his descendants still reside. He d. while 
on a temporary visit to Kentucky. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 653 

10. John, b. Nov. 13, 1773 ; d. July 9, 1812 ; m. — Kendrick, resided at Amesbury, 

and was one of the pioneers in the manufacture of wagons. 

11. Nabby, b. Aug. 30, 1777; d. in 1^59; m. (i) William Chase, of Amesbury; m. 

(2) Aretas Chandler, of Franklin. 

12. Francis, b. May 7, 1780. (See.) 

13. ^^ary, b. May 15, 17S2; d. Nov. uS, 1S27, unm. 

14. Thomas R., b. May 23, 17S6. (See.) 15. Valentine, b. Feb. 21, 1790. (See.) 

(12.) Francis was a carriage manufacturer, at Amesbury, Mass., 
where he m. Polly Sargent and removed to Salisbury, 
residing in the house now occupied by Thomas R. Little, 
where he followed farming and getting out bows for the 
tops of chaises. He d. in Salisbury in i860. Children 
all b. in Salisbury : 

16. Dorothy, b. Oct. 30, 1808; d. Aug. 20, 1815. 

17. Sarah E., b. Jan. 30, 181 1 ; d. Sept. 5, 1S53; m. — Patten, at Amesbury. 

18. John, b. Dec. 13, 1813. He was a cabinet maker at Manchester, Mass. Re- 

sides at Minneapolis, Minn. 

19. Dorothy S., b. Jan. 24, 1816; d. in Sept. 1839. 

20. William C, b. Feb. 19, 1818; resided at Woburn, Mass., and Newmarket and 

now resides at Concord. 

21. Moses S., b. March 10, 1820; d. Oct. 15, 1S22. 

22. Moses S., b. March 20, 1823; d. at Framingham, Mass., July 6, 1879. 

23. Francis V., b. Dec. 20, 1826. He is a piano case manufacturer and resides at 

Boston, Mass. 
Children by second wife : 

24. George S., b. Aug. 18, 1844. 25. Stephen K., b. Dec. 26, 1846. 

26. Hazen R., b. Oct. 31, 1853; d. Sept. 15, 1876. 

(14.) Thomas Rowell remained on the homestead and followed 
farming as an occupation ; but possessing the trade of a 
wheelwright, and in order to facilitate his business, he 
moved the Thomas R. Greenleaf hatter's shop to its 
present location, in September, i<S34, and put in machin- 
ery, which he ran by horse-power, and did considerable 
business. He was one of our prominent and enterpris- 
ing citizens; d. in Jan. 1861 ; m. Dec. 27, 1814, Nancy 
Webster, who d. in Sept. 1869. 

27. An infant son, d. young. 

28. John Webster, M. D., D. D. S., b. April 7, 1818. He read 

medicine with Dr. A. H. Robinson, of Salisbury, and Dr. 
Timothy Haynes, of Concord ; graduated at Dartmouth 



654 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Medical College in 1845. His health not being good he 
nev'er established himself in active practice, but turned 
his attention to dentistry, which he practiced at Fisher- 
ville (Penacook) and at Concord for thirty-four years, 
gaining an enviable reputation for judgment and skill in 
his profession, securing and retaining a large practice. 
The degree of D. D. S. was granted by the Dental Col- 
lege, of Philadelphia, Penn. He was a charter member 
of the New Hampshire Dental Society, and one of the 
board of censors. He was a member of Eureka Lodge 
of F. and A. M., also a member of the Congregational 
church in Salisbury. He m. (i) Jan. 1848, Sarah P. 
White ; m. (2) Elizabeth J. Goodwin, who resides at 
Concord, where he d. Dec. 21, 1877. 

29. Thomas D., b. Aug. 14, 1823. ( See.) 

30. Ann K., b. Oct. 27, 1S30; d. Sept. 9, 1S34. 

(15.) Valentine, (Rev.) A. B., received his preliminary educa- 
tion at Salisbury Academy and graduated from Dart- 
mouth College in 1811. He taught school at Plymouth 
and at Haverhill, Mass., studied divinity with the Rev. 
Joshua Dodge, of Haverhill, Mass., served on a mission 
at Bethel and Gideon, Me., two years, then taught at the 
Bridgeton Academy two years ; was afterwards a mission- 
ary in Maine for four years. Was ordained pastor of the 
Congregational church at Lovell, Me., Jan. 22, 1826; 
dismissed Jan. 22, 1834 ; removed to Salisbury in 1836, 
residing on the farm now owned by Enoch T. Harvey, 
where he died June 4, 1852 ; m. (i) Nov. 9, 1815, Mary, 
dau. of Jonathan Clark, of Bethel, Me. ; m. (2) Sept. 15, 
183 1, Miranda C, dau. of Rev. Nathan Church, of Bridge- 
ton, Me. ; shed. Feb. 5, 1879. 

31. Salina D., b. Oct. i, 1816; m. John Barker, of Lovell, Me., where she d. — 

32. Orsina P., b. Oct 20, 1821 ; m. Andres A. Barker and res. in Pennsylvania. 

33. Caroline E., b. Dec. 12, 1S23 ; m. Sept. 23, 1S40, Elden Barker; resides at 

Jewell City, Kansas. 

34. Henry M., b. April 11, 182S; m. — and resides at Ochtochnee, Thomas coun- 

ty, Georgia. 

35. Miranda M., b. Feb. iS, 1S36; m. Lorenzo D. Davenport; res. at Franklin. 







/O iM^L^- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 655 

(29.) Thomas Dearborn received his education at the Salis- 
bury Academy, of which later in life he became a charter 
member and trustee, also serving as librarian of both 
societies connected with the school. He studied survey- 
ing with Rev. Valentine Little, and was employed by the 
Northern Railroad on the preliminary surveys at the 
time of the construction of that road, and has since been 
the town surveyor. In 1848 he began the manufacture 
of drag rakes, getting out the material by hand. From 
this small beginning he has established a good trade, 
necessitating the employment of much machinery. In 
1868, to better fasten the handle to the rake, he obtained 
a patent, which is quite extensively used. Finding the 
need of a gristmill, and his manufacturing interests be- 
ing on the increase, in December, 1859, ^^ ^^o^ 0"t the 
horse-power and put in steam, and in 1882 was obliged 
to increase that. In his younger days he taught school 
for ten years, four of which were in the academy. His 
instruction was characterized as being more practical 
than that conveyed by ordinary te.xt-books, and imparted 
to his pupils with excellent judgment. In 1861 he was 
appointed postmaster, which position he held for eight 
years; was appointed justice of the peace in 1855 and 
still holds the office; was a. member of the firm of C. E. 
P'oote & Co., from i860 to 1869, when they did consid- 
erable business in the old Greenough store. Although 
not an office-seeker, he was on the board of selectmen in 
1870 and 1871, giving good satisfaction. He united 
with the Congregational church in 1849 and was chosen 
a deacon in i860; was clerk of the same church a few 
years later and is one of its main supports. He is a lib- 
eral contributor to needed charitable objects, is a careful 
and methodical business man and enjoys the respect of 
his townsmen. He m. (i) Nov. 27, 185 i, Susan E., dau. 
of Dr. Robert Smith, who d. Jan. 21, 1S75 ; m. (2) Nov. 
30, 1876, Lucy L., dau. of Andrew Davis, of Rutland, 
Vt. Children by first wife: 



656 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

36. Thomas R., b. Sept. 19, 1853; m. April 29, 1876, Carrie B., dau. of Lewis A. 

and Betsey (Richardson) Hawkins. Children: I. Carrie, b. Nov. 28, 
rS79. II. I>ewis, b. May 2, 18S5. ill. Arthur S., b. Sept. 6, 1888. 

37. Charles W., b. Dec. 20, 1855 ; d. May 6, 1870. 

^S. Susan P., b. July 8, 1858; m. July 13, 1882, Rev. Samuel H. Barnum. (See 
Ecclesiastical Chapter.) 

39. John W., b. Jan. 21, 1861 ; m. Nov. 26, 1884, Hannah M. Moores. Children ; 

I. Ralph Dearborn, b. Jan. 15, 18S6. 

40. Alice M., b. June 4, 1866. 41. Robert S., b. May 7, 1870. 

42. William D., b. July 11, 1874; d. Nov. 15, 1875. 

Children by second wife : 

43. Edwin D., b. Sept. 14, 1878. 

SECOND BRANCH. 

44. Eliphalet Little, (6) son of Eliphalet and Dolly (Hunt) 

Little. The line of his descent is as follows : George 
(i) had Joseph, (2) b. Sept. 22, 1653; m. Mary Coffin 
and had George, (3) b. Jan. 12, 1682 ; m. Edna Hale and 
had Joseph, (4) b. June 22, 1727 ; m. Sarah Wells, their 
youngest child being Eliphalet, (5) who m. Dolly Hunt. 
Mr. Little was b. in that part of Boscawen now Web- 
ster, Aug. 10, 1798, removing to Salisbury in June, 1831. 
A shoemaker by trade, he followed that business until 
the infirmities of age obliged him to relinquish it. He 
m. (i) April 3, 1823, Meele, dau. of Moses Fellows, who 
d. Oct. 20, 1853 ; m. (2) April 15, 1855, Amanda, dau. of 
Col. John Pressy. (.See.) He d. July i, 1884. 

45. Moses, b. in Webster, Aug. 31, 1823; removed with his 

parents, at the age of eight years, to Stewartstown and 
Colebrook ; returned to Salisbury and fitted for college 
at Salisbury Academy, and was ready to enter at the 
age of eighteen. Remaining here during his minority 
he then started to seek his fortune, walking to Ports- 
mouth and Bostorrand thence to New Bedford, where he 
shipped for a four years whaling voyage, visiting many 
ports in South America, the Sandwich Islands, and the 
coast of China, also cruising in the Japan sea. After 
narrow escapes he returned home in April, 1848. The 
California gold fever breaking out, he joined a party at 



GENEALOGY AND niOGRAPHY 65/ 

Lynn, Mass., and in the spring of 1849 made the overland 
trip to Sacramento, Cal., and worked at mining on the 
American river. Returning home in 1853, he m. (i) Feb. 
I9» 1853, Mary C, dau. of Dimond Shaw, and in May 
following removed to Hill and went into trade with Isaac 
T. Parker, (see) which connection continued for several 
years. Mr. Little has been selectman for three years 
and town clerk five years, and has the respect of his 
townsmen. July 5, 1876, he had the misfortune to lose 
his right arm by a circular saw. Through all these 
years he has kept a daily journal of his transactions, as 
well as of matters of public interest. His wife d. Jan. 
22, 18—; m. (2) April 17, 1856, Lucy J., dau. of San- 
born Shaw, who d. Feb. 17, 1869; m. (3) Oct. 4, 1869, 
widow Mary F. Rayno, dau. of Adonijah and Polly 
(Fitzgerald) Fellows, of Livermore, N. Y. 

46. Salome F., b. in Webster, Aug. 9, 1825; m. Feb. 7, 1S47, George Foster, of 

Bedford, where she resides. 

47. John P., b. at Colebrook, April 8, 1831 ; m. Nov. 26, 1861, 

Elizabeth Ann M., dau. of John and" Sarah (Fellows) 
Burleigh, of Livermore, N. Y., where they reside. In 
i860 he removed to Ann Arbor, Mich., where he was 
largely engaged in contracting and building houses. In 
Sept., 1880, he removed to Three Oaks, Mich., where he 
was engaged in the hardware and lumber business. 

48. Sarah E., b. in Salisbury, Dec. 9, 1S34; ni. Sept. 9, 1854, Amos Elcxander 

and resides in Chicago. 

49. Ebenezer Langdon, (Rev.) A. K, h. in Salisbury, April 

30, 1837. Educated in Salisbury, and at the age of fif- 
teen years was given a certificate to teach the district 
school, at a salary of i^6.oo per month and board. In 
1855 he entered the middle class at Colby Academy, 
New London, graduating in Latin, F*rench and the high- 
er mathematics in July, 1857. The spring before gradu- 
ation he experienced religion and was baptized at New 
42 



658 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

London. In September, 1857, he entered the Univer- 
sity of Michigan, and graduated in 1861 with the degree 
of A. B, In i860 he received a license to preach from 
the Baptist church at Ann Arbor, and supplied the pul- 
pit at Baxter and aftervfards at Lapier, where he did 
good work. During the years 1861 to 1863 he was super- 
intendent of public schools. In September, 1863, he 
entered the Theological Seminary at Rochester, N. Y., 
graduating in May, 1866. He accepted a call to the 
pastorate of the Baptist church at Clinton, N. Y., where 
he was ordained in December, 1866, and dismissed in 
1868. In April, 1868, he was installed at Fairport, N. 
Y., remaining there three years. In July, 1 871, he accept- 
ed a call from the Baptist church at Lapier, Mich., en- 
tering upon his duties there the following September 
and remaining six years. In 1878 he became pastor at 
Alpena, Mich., where he still continues {1882) with 
more than ordinary success. He m. Dec. 26, 1861, 
Susan Cordelia Lamson, of Windsor, Vt. 

[The author is under obligations to Mr. G. T. Little, of 
Auburn, Me., for the ancestry of this family.] 



THE LOVERIN FAMILY. 

I. Samuel, was born at Kingston in 1753, removed to Salis- 
bury previous to the revolutionary war, and settled on the 
southwest slope of the height of land named for him, " Loverin 
hill." He built a log house southwest of the present house, 
which latter was built about 1805. On the first news of the 
revolutionary strife he started for the seat of war, enlisting and 
serving until the war closed. He drove home a cow (as a pres- 
ent to his wife) which he had received in part payment for his 
services. About 1805, in company with Thomas Chase, he 
built a sawmill on the small brook in the meadow, and put in a 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 659 

dam and raceway, the water-wheel being one of those huge 
affairs which wasted more water than was used, but by flowing 
this meadow they were enabled to saw considerable lumber 
All the houses in that vicinity were built of lumber sawed at 
this mill. In addition they put in a run of stone and did grind- 
ing for the neighborhood. He died Dec. 12, 1829; married 
Aug. 31, 1775, Mehitable Rowe, who d. Feb. 22, 1834, aged jG. 

2. .Sarah, b. ]ur\e i8, 1778; m. Abraham Sanborn, (see); d. Aug. 29, 1859. 

3. Moses, b. March 30, 17S0; m. (i) Detsey Cooper; m. (2) Mahala Copp; d. in 

Lowell, Mass. 

4. John, b. May 3, 17S2; m. (i) Nov. i, 1S21, .Sarah Maloon ; m. (2) widow 

Roby ; d. at Sutton. 

5. Joseph, b. May 6, 17S4; m. Nov. 7, 1S04, Hannah Dustin ; d. at I'lainfield. 

6. Henjamin, (Dr.) b. June i, 1786; m. March 10, 1814, Abigail Greeley; d. at 

Sutton, July 25, 1825. 

7. Peter, b. Aug. 5, 17SS; d. at Hill. 

8. William, b. Feb. 13, 1792; removed to Lowell and died there. 

9. Cutting S., b. Nov. 8, 1796. ( See.) 

10. Daniel, b. Oct. 27, 1798; resides at Venis, Kra county, Ohio. 

11. Luke, b. Oct. 16, 1803; m. May 9, 1822, Rebecca Hunt, of Warner; removed 

to Lowell and d. there. 

(9.) Cutting Stevens remained on the farm ; d. from injuries 
received in falling from a sled, April 25, 1867; "i- Oct. 
5, 1830, Lucy Burnham, who was b. at Hopkinton, April 
22, 1804. 

12. Grace, b. May 6, 1S32 ; m. April 24, 1S53, Kvan M. Heath. Children-. 

I. Ruth A., b. Feb. 14, 1S62. 

13. Ruth, b. June 8, 1837; m. Harrison V. Heath. (See.) 

14. An infant, b. Jan. 25, 1S35; d. Feb. 5 following. 



THE MANN FAMILY. 

William was the first of this family who emigrated to this 
country, as early as 1793, from Klgin, Scotland, and was by 
occupation a ship carpenter. He was shipwrecked, rescued 
and brought to Boston, and was so well pleased with the coun- 
try that he ^ent for the rest of the family, and in 1795 John 
Mann, the father of William, accompanied by his son James 



660 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

then fourteen years of age, removed to America. The father 
died at Hampstead, N. H., Sept. 27, 1831. William settled in 
Massachusetts. 

I. James, b. Dec. i, 1799, removed to Danbury in 1809, where 
he m. Sept. 9, 1820, Marian Taylor, who was b. at Dan- 
bury, April 21, 1799. While resident there Mr. Mann 
and his wife united with the Congregational church, un- 
der the pastorate of Rev. Thomas Worcester, traveling 
down and back each Sabbath, on horseback, a distance 
of sixteen miles each way. Mr. Mann became a deacon 
of this church, holding the office until his death, Oct. 10, 
1845. In 1827 he removed to Hampstead, and in April, 
1832, removed to Salisbury, settling in the Daniel 
Mowe house, afterwards removing to "Parsons corner," 
where he died. In 1849 ^^s. Mann and her family re- 
moved to Fisherville, { Penacook) returning to Salisbury 
in 1875, where she d. Aug. 11, 1876. 

2. Jonathan T., b. Sept. 23, 1821 ; d. in Orange Co., Va., April, 1S63; m. Sep- 

tember, 1846, Sarah Spencer. 

3. Sarah, b, Sept. 23, 1823 ; d. Oct. 26, 1S36. 

4. Jannett L., b. Nov. 22, 1825; m. Charles Smith. ( See.) 

5. Martha A., b. March 26, 1829; m. May i, 1856, Jacob Quimby. 

6. Mary, b. Jan. 14, 1831 ; d. Jan. 20, 1834. 

7. Louisa, b. June 6, 1833 ; d. July 5, 1S66, unm. 

8. Dana J., b. July 20, 1837; m. Feb. 17, 1S72, Jennie Dow, of Contoocook, 

(Hopkinton.) He resides in the old Eliphalet Williams house; has held 
several town offices. 

9. Samuel R., b. June 15, 1S39; m. Oct. 9, 1870, Mary George and resides at 

Fisherville, ( Penacook.) 



THE MARSHALL FAMILY. 

John W. Marshall, with his wife, Judith (Jackman) Marshall, 
removed to Salisbury about 1832, purchasing the farm which he 
sold to John Bean (west of Smith's corner) when he removed 
to Bradford. Of this family was John Webster Marshall, born 



GENEALOGY AND IJIOGRAPHY 66l 

in Salisbury, Feb. 9, 1835. In the fall of 1848 he went out in- 
to the world to earn his own living, with barely clothes enough 
to serve as a covering. After two years spent in earning his 
living and attending school, he entered the employ of G. W. 
Wadleigh, at Fisherville, ( Penacook ) as a clerk, thence going 
to Manchester, where he was engaged in the gun shop of Mr. 
Oilman B. Fogg. Determined to become a machinist, he se- 
cured a situation in the Manchester Locomotive Works, where 
he remained six years. Desiring to become more proficient he 
removed to l^oslon. The same devotion to his chosen work 
shown at Manchester was exhibited there. The allurements of 
the great city had no charm for him ; his evenings were spent 
in improvement ; he became proficient in mechanical drawing 
and engineering, and he was made superintendent of the draft- 
ing department of the Atlantic Works. Exercising the same 
diligence and studiousness which had so signally characterized 
his life, he thoroughly qualified himself for the post of mechan- 
ical engineer, to which position he was advanced in two years. 
His patience and assiduity, his modest and unassuming ways, 
and his painstaking accuracy and promptness, won for him the 
position of superintending engineer. He was sent to Europe 
to study the construction of iron vessels, and he passed three 
months in the leading shipyards of England, Scotland, Belgium 
and France. Nine months after his return to Boston he was 
engaged by Peter Wright & Co., of Philadelphia, to superintend 
the construction of vessels for the "Red Star" line. He re- 
mained in England nearly three years, during which time the 
"Vaderland," "Nederland," and "Switzerland" were construct- 
ed, and it was fully demonstrated that Mr. Marshall thoroughly 
understood the principles underlying an intelligent knowledge 
of his work, and he was made superintendent of the Red Star 
and American lines. In 187S he again went to England and 
personally superintended the building of the "Bengenland" and 
" Rhyneland." He continued in the emj)loy of the company till 
his death, at Boston, Jan. 6, 1882. He married, Feb. 11, 1S64, 
Martha J., daughter of Benjamin K. Wadleigh, of Bradford ; 
had two children. 



662 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



THE MELOON FAMILY. 

I. Nathaniel was among the earliest settlers of Contoocook, 
(Boscawen) where he resided in 1743-44, and removed to Stev- 
enstown (Salisbury) very early, it being the tradition that his 
wife was the second woman in the settlement. Being thor- 
oughly acquainted with the Indians and their habits, he settled 
on the low land at the west part of the town, and fenced in a 
large tract of land, in fact all he wanted, thinking that by so 
doing he held absolute possession. Whether he was here at 
the time of the second granting of this land is not known, but 
he probably moved here about that time, as it is said he was 
the second settler here, but the facts are not known ; he was 
certainly the first settler in that part of the town ; his log 
cabin stood directly northwest of Augustus Pettengill's house, 
on the south side of the brook and on a slight rise of land, the 
cellar hole being still visible. There he cleared up land and 
was putting in a crop of corn at the time of his capture by the 
Indians. {See chapters on Indian troubles.) After his return 
from captivity in 1757 he built a house just west of Augustus 
Pettengill's. In some old prints the fort at West Salisbury is 
spoken of; this house was the "fort." The lower part was 
built of two-inch oak plank, set up endwise and made solid. It 
contained small windows, with heavy shutters to cover them ; 
the door was also built of plank and made strong enough to re- 
sist any attack that might be made. Some years ago the 
building was taken down and the timbers were found very mas- 
sive in size and in a good state of preservation. The fence 
he had built previous to his captivity had become destroyed, 
and he petitioned the grantees to be made one of the proprie- 
tors. At one of their meetings, held at Kingston, June 14, 
1763, it was voted, "That Mr. Nathaniel Meloon shall have the 
grant of land where he now Posses in the Second Range that is 
not already laid out and that he shall be made equal to any 
Proprietor in Sd town made up in the first Range that is not 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 663 

laid out according to Quantity and Quality * * * he giv- 
ing security under his hand and seal that he will settle under 
the Claus of Masons Right viz obligations with the other propri- 
etors." (Prop. Records, p. 95.) Previous to Mr. Meloon's cap- 
ture the Indians were frequently at his cabin, and partook of 
food, particularly of corn bread and milk, the latter being a very 
rare article. Of one of these meals Mrs. Meloon used to relate 
the following incident : As usual when Indians were in that 
vicinity they came to her cabin for food, and she cooked them 
some dry fish; with the exception of one they ate heartily, 
clearing their plates and being very quiet and orderly ; but one 
took his share, tasted of it, took his wooden platter and went 
out in the bushes and emptied it, for which act his associates 
soundly berated him. Mrs. Meloon's sole iron cooking utensil 
consisted of a small kettle, possessed of three legs or projec- 
tions on the bottom, so that it would sit on the coals and not 
tip over, and a hole at the top ; this kettle she kept by the 
cabin door. One morning she found it gone. The family were 
in a plight ; no meal could be boiled, which was their chief sub- 
sistence, and nothing whatever cooked except in the ashes. 
Mr. Meloon hearing that Indians were in the vicinity, and well 
knowing their thievish propensities, started after them but they 
had disappeared. The kettle was never recovered. In 1758 
the state raised a regiment of eight hundred men for Crown 
Point, under command of Col. John Hart. Mr. Meloon served 
in the 7th company, commanded by Capt. Alexander Tott, from 
April 15 to Oct. 30. Dr. Farmer, in a note to Dr. Belknap, 
(the publisher of the first History of New Hampshire) and the 
Rev. Mr. Price, in his History of Boscawen, say: "At the 
time of the Meloon capture his family consisted of himself, 
wife and four children." Gerrish in his affidavit says, "three 
children were taken." Meloon, in his petition to the council 
for assistance to regain his daughter Rachel, says three child- 
ren were taken. The former number is undoubtedly wrong. 
Diligent inquiry among his descendants, and the descendants 
of those who resided in that vicinity and who remember the 
Meloon stories, gives but three children. They were Rachel, 



664 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Daniel and Sarah. Nathaniel escaped capture. Those who 
died here are buried close to the stone wall, on the right hand 
side as one enters the gate of the Bean burial ground at the 
west part of the town. No stone marks the last resting place 
of this noted family. Mrs. Meloon died in November, 1803, 
aged 95. The Boston Evening Post, of Oct. 25, 1762, contained 
the following notice : "Whereas an English Girl whose name 
is Maloon was captured with her father some years ago either 
at Contoocook or Pennacook and is now at St. Louis Falls in 
Canadia which Girl is now about 16 years of age. If the Fath- 
er (who was released about four years ago) or any of the Girls 
Friends will apply at the Secretaries Ofifice in Boston they may 
be informed how she may be recovered from the Indians." 

2. Nathaniel, b. March 27, 1741. ( See.) 3. Mary, b. May 29, 1743; d. young. 

4. Rachel, b. Jan. 29, 1744; m. (i) Reuben Greeley; m. (2) John Oilman and 

removed to Springfield. 

5. John, b. Oct. 24, 1748; d. young. 

6. Daniel, b. in 1751. ( See Indian troubles.) 

7. Sarah, b. before the captivity, April 6, 1753. One historian 
says : "She was taken from her mother and her brains 
dashed out against a tree." The true story is that she 
was taken from her mother for a time, but finding she 
was likely to die and that they would therefore lose all 
prospect of a ransom for her, she was given to her moth- 
er, but d. at St. Francois, September, 1754. 

8. Joseph, b. in captivity Nov. 20, 1755; d. Oct. 14, 1836. 

(2.) Nathaniel served in the first expedition against Crown 
Point, in 1755, and possibly in 1758, instead of his fath- 
er. He resided in the house which his father built after 
his return from captivity, where he d. aged about 70. 
He was a very likely man and held various town offices. 
He m. Jan. 25, 1768, Bathsheba Tucker, who d. at an 
advanced age. 

9. Molly, ( Mary) b. Jan, 25, 1769; m. April 3, 1794, Joseph Abbott, of Boscawen. 
lo. Sarah, b. March 2, 1771; m. Nov. 21, 1S21, John Loverin ; she d. and he m. 

(2) widow Roby. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 66S 

11. Daniel, b. April ii, 1774; d. unm. 

12. Ezra, b. Oct 17, 1776; m. (i) Feb. 6, 1799, Hannah Calef ; m. (2) Feb. 23, — 

Lucinda Tucker. 

13. Mehitable, b. — ; m. May 17, 1S03, David Severance, of 1 )anbury, and d. there. 

14. Hannah, m. Dec. 27, 1S24, Jonathan Tucker and removed to Verniont. 

15. Rachel, m. Feb. 10, 1S14, Moses Moody, Jr., of Boscawen ; she d. April 4, 

1S63; he d. Oct. 22, 1863, aged 51. 



The following abstract is taken from notes contributed by 
Mrs. Horace Eaton, of Palmyra, N. Y. Her mother's maiden 
name was Betsey Sawyer, ( see Sawyer genealogy ) who mar- 
ried Nathaniel G. Webster, a son of William Webster, who was 
an uncle of Daniel Webster. As a child Betsey was a favorite 
with old Mrs. Meloon and frequently visited the old lady, sit- 
ting in her lap and listening to Indian stories of what happened 
during her captivity. Previous to the death of Mrs. Webster 
her daughter ( Mrs. Eaton ) wrote out the story and read it to 
her mother, who said, "That is just as old Mrs. Meloon told 
me about it." There are some known mistakes, undoubtedly 
due to imperfect recollection from lapse of time, which I have 
indicated : 

* * * The liritish hired the Indians to fight for them, paying them a certain 
sum for each scalp. * * Mr. Meloon and one neighbor were reluctant to go to 
the garrison. They didn't want to leave their land and they thought they would 
risk it. Hut the other family got frightened. The wife was about to be confined 
and the assistants were all there. These women heard the Indians around the 
house and told the husband they would not remain with his wife unless he would 
immediately remove to the garrison He got up his ox team, put in his sick wife 
and the women, arriving at the garrison [ at Contoocook ] safely. 

The very next morning Mr. Meloon left his home to do some business and 
stopped at his neighbor's vacant house to bait his horse, and turned the oats he had 
with him on the ground to feed the animal. This was about nine o'clock in the 
morning. * * He looked up and found the Indians upon him. They had emp- 
tied a feather bed, turned the tick, and were packing pork in it. Then they took 
Mr. Meloon to his own house. Rachel, his little girl of nine years, stood at the 
door and as they approached said, " Mother, father is coming home and a lot of In- 
dians with him." "Oh, no," said the mother, "they are only the dark stumps 
which you see." * * The mother set to screaming. One of the Indians, who 
could talk Knglish, told Mr. Meloon that if his wife did not stop that noise he 
would kill her upon the spot. Mr. Meloon, in a quiet, resigned way said, " It's of 
no use. We've got to go to Canada and wc may as well give up and say nothing." 



666 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

The Indians wanted to kill the old man's cattle for the sake of their horns, in 
which to hold powder, but Mr. Meloon told them there were horns in the garret, so 
they spared the cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Meloon took with them Rachel and the baby 
and one other boy- Their son Taylor [this is certainly a mistake] was seventeen 
years old. The day before the capture he had stood by a hollow log and said to 
his father, " This log will be a good place to hide in if the Indians are around." 
When he saw them coming he ran out and crawled into this log, pulling weeds and 
sticks before the opening. The Indians made the father call for this boy, and as 
one understood English, he managed his voice so the Indian would not understand 
what he said. [The boy's name was Nathaniel; a little insinuation and he could 
understand that instead of saying " Na-than-iel," he said, " We've-got-to-go-to-Can- 
ada," " If-you-want-to-go-come-along."] The boy understood and kept hid. * * 

They camped the first night at the foot of Bald hill, in Kearsarge Gore, having 
pork, partridge and venison for their supper. Their food they were allowed to 
cook in their own way. They crossed Lake Champlain, striking the lake at the 
very place where their two canoes had been safely fastened to the shore when they 
sallied forth for this raid. 

They were unwilling that Mrs. Meloon should have her little child on the jour- 
ney. In crossing the lake they put the baby into the other canoe, away from its 
mother. It would climb up the side of the canoe and looking towards her would 
cry piteously, " Mum, Mum," when they would strike the child down with the pad" 
die, and she would pray that if it was the will of God it might never rise again. 

* * When they reached Canada the children were separated from her. Once 
she had occasion to go to a neighboring wigwam where she saw her baby hanging 
up in an iron cage, a little skeleton. She hastened to it and took it down. The 
Indian squaw sitting there frowned and said, " If my jm«(?/ [meaning husband] 
were home he would kill you." When she took it down it nearly bit a piece out of 
her cheek, it was so hungry. Taking the child to her house she tenderly nursed it 
for three days, when she was sent out on some errand and when she came back the 
child was gone ; shs never knew what became of it. Mr. and Mrs. Meloon worked 
for a French friar, who thought a great deal of them, she doing the cooking, wash- 
ing and butler-making. * * When peace was declared the French valued them 
so much that they determined to send them to France. They put the captives on 
board a privateer, and on their way down to St. Lawrence river they found the offi- 
cers and crew drank very heavily. The prisoners got the ship into the hands of the 
English l)y hoisting the French flag. The English captors landed the prisoners at 
Portsmouth, from which place they journeyed on foot to their old home. * * On 
going after Rachel she refused to return home and was engaged to an Indian chief- 

* * The boy was found in a French school, and the father identified him by a 
mark on the hip. * * Mr. Meloon gave Capt. Fowler eighty pounds to bring 
Rachel back. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 667 



THE MOORE FAMILY. 

I. Greenleaf came here from Newbury, Mass., in 1819-20, 
living in what is now the L of the house owned by Edward 
Wayne, eventually building the two-story part. The date of 
his death is not known; married (i) — Poor, from Newbury: 
m. (2) — Knight ; m. (3) — Woodbury. Children by first wife : 

2. Greenleaf, m. at West Newbury, Mary Poor ; he resided and d. there. 

3. Oilman. ( See.) 

Children of second wife: 

4. Joseph, m. Martha Ordway, of West Newbury, where he resided and died. 

5. Mary, m. — Whittier, of Newburyport, Mass. 

6. Stillman, m. — Coleman, of Newburyport, Mass., and removed west ; received 

a government appointment at Washington, where he resided and died. 
Children by third wife: 

7. Nathan, m. (i) Mary Dow, of Concord; m. (2) Lucy Goodwin, of Great Falls » 

resides at East Concord. 
S. Addison, m. (i) Nancy Pierce, of Byfield ; m. (2) — ; d. west. 
9. William 1)., m. Nov. 29, 1S32, Hannah Fifield, of Salisbury; resided here but 

d. at Concord. 

10. Eliza, m. Thomas Eastman, of Concord. 

(3.) Oilman received a good education in his adopted town, 
thence removing to Newbury, where he learned the shoe- 
maker's trade. Returning to Salisbury he followed his 
trade and for a time the cutting of shoes for Greenleaf 
& Clement and Eilbridge F. Greenough. He also car- 
ried on the farm and d. April 11, 1871 ; m. (i) Hannah 
Ordway, of West Newbury, who d. July 29, 1857, aged 
52; m. (2) April 22, 1858, Sarah Elliott, of Boscawen, 
who d. in February, 1879. 

11. Henry Clark Wright, b. May 28, 1826. Like his father 

and grandfather, he learned the shoemaker's trade, which 
he for a time followed. Nov. 6, 1855, he removed to 
Concord, bought out his uncle Nathan, and carried on 
butchering until August, 1857, when upon the death of 
his mother he returned to the homestead, where he fol- 
lowed the last-named business and farming. In the 



668 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

spring of 1879 he removed to the Esquire Moses East- 
man house ; he d. May 17, 1880. Mr. Moore was select- 
man in 1867-68-69, and was a man universally esteemed 
by his townsmen. He m. Sept. 6, 1849, Melissa B., 
dau. of William M. and Lois (Kenniston) Pierce. 

12. Hannah, b. March 12, 1S66; m. Nov. 26, 1S84, John W. Little. ( See.) 



THE MORRILL FAMILY. 

TWO BRANCHES. 

Three brothers of this name came to this country from Ire- 
land, to which country they or their ancestors removed from 
France. These were Jacob and Abraham ; the third, whose 
name is not known, removed to New York and died without 
leaving posterity. 

I. Abel, descended from Abraham, b. in 1743. He was a 
blacksmith at Brentwood, from which place he removed 
to Salisbury; m. Hannah French, who was b. in 1737 
and d. Dec. 29, 18 19. He entered the continental army 
and served seven years. About 1785 he removed with 
his family to the farm now ( 1887) owned by A. L. 
Ward, at Lower Franklin. He built the first black- 
smith's shop in that part of the town, carrying on the 
business until 1797, when he was stricken with paraly- 
sis, from which however he soon recovered ; he d. in 
1808. (?) 

2. Hannah, b. in 1761 ; m. Aquilla Pingrey. (See.) 

3. Sarah, b. in 1763; m. Edward Quimby. (See.) 

4. Nancy, b. April 6, 1766; m. Feb. 12, 1794, James Taylor, of Danbury; she d. 

April 16, 1847 ; he d. in 1848. 

5. Abel, b. Aug. 2, 1768. ( See.) 

6. Mary, b. March 8, 1771 ; m. William Pingrey. ( .See.) 

7. Abigail, b. in 1773; m. Peter Sanborn, of Bridgewater; she d. in 1S07-S. 

8. Joseph, b. in December, 1775; m. Mary Cole and removed to Danville, Vt. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 669 

(5.) Abel came into possession of the homestead, succeeded 
his father in the blacksmith shop, and in addition opened 
a brickyard close by where his son, Col. Joseph, resided. 
Here was an exhaustless bed of fine clay, near running 
water. With the assistance of his son he made many 
brick, and most of the early brick buildings of PVanklin 
came from this yard. He d. Aug. 19, 1845 ; m. Dec. 27, 
1794, Jennie Jemson, dau. of John Jemson. (See page 
55.) It is the tradition that she was the first female 
child born in the town ; b. Sept. 10, 1768 ; d. March 21, 
1847. 

9. Joseph, (Col.) b. Oct. 25, 1795; i^- J""^ "• '^'S' Hannah Tandy, who d. Feb. 
1S76; he d. without issue, Oct. 13, 1S72. 

10. Abel, b. May 14, 1797. ( See.) 

11. Dorothy,' b. Oct. 12, 1799; m. James Farnum ; she d. May 9, 1S74 ; he d. in 

the army, Jan. 30, 1863. 

12. .'<arah, b. June 4, 1802; d. May 14, 1S54, unm. 

13. Abigail, b. April 25, 1804; m. April 5, 1836, William Moody, of Haverhill; he 

d. May 14, 1844; she d. at Andover, in iSSi. 

14. Hannah, b. Dec. iS, 1S06; d. June 4, 18 10. 

15. Hiram, b. Oct. 7, iSoS; m. Dec. 25, 1833, Mary M. Stewart, of Danbury; he 

d. at Andover, Jan 13, 1864, where she resides. Children: i. Charles 
H., b. in Salisbury, March 2, 1838; m. (i) Sabra Cheney, of Sutton; m. 
(2) Emily Adams, of Salisbury, ii. George H., b. Jan. 2, 1842; m. Jennie 
Chase, of Wilmot ; he d. Feb. 8, 18S0. 

16. Hannah V.,h. Dec. 24, 1810; m. Dec. 25, 1S32, Elisha C. Kenniston, of .\n- 

dover, where they reside. 

17. Mary J., b. Sept. 20, 1S13; ni. .\lfred Weare, of .\ndover; he d. Sept. 19, 1876. 

(10.) Abel remained on the homestead, living in the house 
with his brother Joseph, and conducted his father's busi- 
ness until along in years, when he went to coopering. 
His first schoolmaster was Daniel Webster, (in i8oi)of 
whom he said: "His school was quite large; he kept 
a stick, but rarely used it ; looking at the culprit was 
enough. lie was very pleasant in school and much 
liked by his scholars." While teaching here Mr. Web- 
ster's pay was Sio a month besides his board, which was 
$1 a week. Mr. Morrill was a member of the Congrega- 
tional church ; he resided a few years at Wilmot ; he 



6/0 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

d. on the homestead, May 20, 1873; m. March 25, 1819, 
Abigail Clay. Children born in VVilmot : 

18. Jane E., b. July lo, 182 1 ; m. Nov. 12, 1S43, K'chard Gove. 

19. Marietta F., b. Sept. 30, 1822; m. Nov. 15, 1S61, (?) J. Xesmith. 
Roschella S., b. Dec. 4, 1S24; m. C. Lydia Brown. 
Samuel T., b. Feb. 29, — ; m. July 31, 1851, Lucretia M. Vickery. 
Hiram J., b. April 18, 1S29; m. Oct. 9, 1851, Ann Huse. 
Joseph'E., b. May 28, 1831 ; m. July 13, 1851, Melissa A. Fogg. 

24. William C, b. Aug. 6, 1834; m. Sept. iS, 1S56, E. T. Chase. 

25. Ann C, b. July 8, 1S36; m. Jan. 11, 185S, Joseph Morrill. 

26. Abby C, b. Aug. 29, 1838; m. June 17, 1852, Charles E. Adams. 

27. French H., b. March 17, 184 1 ; m. Feb. 22, 1865, Lizzie Garland. 

28. Roxey, b. March 11, 1S44; m. — 

SECOND BRANCH. 

29. Levi Morrill had two brothers, William and Ephraim, 

neither settling here. In 1798 Mr. Morrill, then a resi- 
dent of Salisbury, Mass., purchased of Joseph Adams, 
for ;£i89 L. M., "one acre of ground and the buildings 
thereon." This was the site on which the present (1887) 
Michael Larden buildings stand. Mr. Morrill erected 
these buildings, and also a blacksmith's shop, which 
stood just v/est of the dwelling-house. He was a famous 
scythe maker and manufactured other edge tools used in 
farming. He d. Feb. 19, 1858, aged 93; m. Mary Bag- 
ley, who d. April 3, 1856, aged 85. Of a large family of 
children the following are known : 

30. Clarissa H., b. in Salisbury, Mass., Jan. 9, 1794; m. March 9, 1823, George 

W. Bagley, of Amesbury, Mass. 

31. Henry, b. in Salisbury, N. H., Jan. 24, 1796; remained on the farm -and was a 

blacksmith and farmer; m. widow L. V. ( Kimball ) Little, of Grafton ; he 
d. Uec. 7, 1S08; she m. Benjamin Eastman and resided at Concord; had 
two girls. 

32. William B., b. Feb. 11, 179S; removed to Maine where he died. 

33. John M., b. Aug. 11, 1800; removed to Maine and died there. 

34. Jacob B., b. Aug. 17, 1802; d. young. 35. John B., b. Sept. 29, 1803. 

36. Levi, b. Aug. 20, 1S05; d. June 6, 1879; m. at Plainfield, Aug. i, 1829, Mehit- 
able Pearson, who was b. at Newport, Sept. S, iSoS. Children: i. Mary. 
II. Ellen. in. Charles H., resides at Bradford, iv. Frank, v. George 
W. VI. Edward E. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 6/1 

37. Daniel O., b. June 19, 1S07. 3S. Benjamin F., h. Aug. 12, iSio. 

39. Mary \l., b. March 2:, 1S13, d. unjn. 

40. Daniel B., b. Dec. 31, 1S15; d. Feb. 19, 1S62. 



THE MORSE FAMILY. 

The name is variously spelled, Morsse, Morss, and Moss. 
The latter is a very ancient name, occurring as early as 1 177. 
The name of Morse also claims high antiquity, occurring A. D. 
1358, in the reign of lidward III. There were five distinct 
families bearing this name, who emigrated to this country. 

1. Samuel Morse, b. in Kngland in 15S5; emigrated in 1635 ^"*^ settled at Ded- 

ham, Mass., in 1637. 

2. Joseph Morse, b. in England about 1 5S7 ; emigrated in 1635 and settled at 

Ipswich prior to 1641. 

3. Anthony. { See.) 

4. William, a brother of .\nthony, b. in 1608 and settled at Newbury. 

5. Robert, a brother of Anthony and William, arrived in Boston prior to 1644 

and settled at Newbury in 1667 ; removed to New Jersey. 

6. Joshua Morse, a chaplain in the army under .Sir William Phipps, in 1689. 

7. John Moss, b. in England in 1619; settled in New Haven, Conn., in 1639. 

(3.) Anthony Morse, b. at Marlboro, Wiltshire, England, May 

9, 1606, and settled at Newbury, Mass., in 1635, where 
he d. Oct. 12, 1686. He belonged to that class of Puri- 
tans who strove to separate from the corruptions of the 
established church, while they continued in it ; he was 
a man of great moral courage, energy and perseverance ; 
he had two wives and ten children. The second, Benja- 
min, (Dea.) (2) b. March 4, (27) 1640; m. Ruth Sawyer 
and resided at Newbury ; had eleven children. The 
fourth, William, (Dea.) (3) was b. Jan. 23, 1673-4; d. May 

10, 1749; m. Sarah Morrill and resided at Newbury; 
had ten children. The third, Peter, (4) was b. Oct. 5, 
1701 ; m. in 1726, — Hale, and resided at Hampstead ; 
had si.\ children. The fourth, Peter, (5) was b. July 7, 
1739; d. Feb. 23, 1821 ; m. Ann Currier and resided at 
Hampstead. Lieut. Peter, as he was called, had twelve 
children. The seventh was — 



6/2 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

8. Caleb, born at Hampstead, Sept. 28, 1770, the 6th descend- 

ant from Anthony, served an apprenticeship at the 
hatter's trade ; removed to Salisbury in 1796, settling 
just south of where his son Stephen resides, where he 
carried on his business for a number of years, and then 
built the house east of Bog brook, on the centre range- 
way, where he managed the gristmill for Josiah Green ; 
removed to the house just south of the old mill. Later 
in life he bought out Daniel Parker, who resided in the 
one-story part of the S. W. Green house, took a partner 
named Page and there carried on the hatter's trade. 
He m. in 1789, Mary Healey, of Dunbarton, a descend- 
ant of one of the early families of Chester, where she 
was b. April 5, 1776, her parents removing to Dunbar- 
ton in 1780; she d. Nov. 5, 1856; he d. Aug. 4, 1850. 

9. Stephen, b. May i6, iSoo. ( See ) lo. Healey, b. March icS, 1S02. ( See ) 

11. Elizabeth, b. March 18, 1S04; m. April 29, 1827, Joseph Sanborn, of Sanborn- 

ton. 

12. Mary A., b. June 26, 1S06; d. Jan. 4, 1818. 13. Caleb. ( See.) 

14. James M., b. April 16, iSii ; d. Aug. 7, 1818. 

15. Abigail, b. April 19, 1S13; d. Aug. 5, 181S. 

(9.) Stephen (Capt.) completed his education under Samuel 
I. Wells, at Salisbury Academy ; was then a clerk for 
Thomas R. White, (whose store stood between Dr. Tit- 
comb's and J. C. Smith's stable ) who removed his stock 
to Warner, young Morse going with him and remaining 
three years, when he went into trade for himself three 
years. Health failing, he took out of door exercise, and 
for three years was engaged in the construction of the 
Northern Railroad. At the age of thirty-nine he re- 
turned to Salisbury. He m. April 27, 1827, Lucy B. 
Smith, who was b. at Fort Independence in 1804; he d. 
Nov. 15, 1887. 

16. John C, killed on the western plains. 

17. Charles G., m. Nov. 5, 1856, Lucy J. Calef, and resides at Salisbury. Had 

Children: i. Charles Alfred, b. in Salisbury, Sept. 24, 1857; he read 
medicine with Dr. E. E. Graves, of Boscawen, and graduated at Dart- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 673 

mouth Medical College in iSSi ; located at Newmarket; m. (i) Sept. 5, 
1SS3, Annie E. Sanders, of Epsom; m. (2) Alma J., h. in Salisbury, Nov. 
2, 1859. 
iS. Mary A. 19. Frank R., b. in Warner. ( See.) 

20. Lizzei E., m. Newton V. B. Hartlett. and resides at South Natick, Mass. 

(10.) Healey removed to Salem, Mass., in 1827, engaging in 
the staging business ; removed to Danvers where he fol- 
lowed the same occupation ; m. June 4, 1840, Harriet N. 
Adams ; returned to Salisbury, May 28, 1848, remaining 
until Jan. 27, 1854, when he removed to Fisherville, 
(Penacook) purchased a hotel and managed the same for 
six years, selling out to H. Bonney ; he d. at Fisherville 
Nov. 12, 1882. Children b. in Danvers: 

21. Frank II., b. April ii, 1841; m. Dec. 14, 1S76, Minnie J. Whitney, of Bos- 

cawen. 

22. Harriet A., b. March 25, 1.S43 ; m. March 11, 1S6S, Frederick J. George, of 

Fisherville, ( Penacook) and resides at Boston. 

23. George A., b. Sept. 21, 1S47 ; m. Dec. 7, 1S71, I*211a G. Kimball, of Boscawen. 

Children b. in Salisbury : 

24. Albert H., b. Oct. 23, 1S49 ; <^1- Ju'y 4- ^^S9- 

25. James M., b. March i, 1S53 ; m. Sept. 23, 1S79, Mattie A. Hardy, of Lebanon ; 

resides at Penacook. 

26. Mary E., b. in Fisherville, ( Penacook ) -Vug. 22, 1858. 

(13.) Caleb was b. in the Herschell Green house, Aug. 19, 
1808, remaining until he was nineteen, when he embarked 
on the sea of fortune, bringing up at Salem, Mass., and 
from there to Andover, Mass., where he was either clerk 
or proprietor of a hotel for a number of years. In the 
spring of 1834 he removed to Newburyport, Mass., and 
in the fall of 1835 removed to Augusta, Me., taking the 
"Augusta House," which he soon made the best hotel 
in the state. His lease e.xpiring in 1840, he went to 
Boston. In the spring of 1843, with his wife and four 
children, he returned to Salisbury, and showed that the 
old adage of "a rolling stone gathers no moss" was not 
always reliable. While at Andover, Mass., at the age of 
twenty-four, he m. Sarah B., dau. of Capt. Amos Holt, a 
native of that town, possessing the spirit of "Andover 
theology." Finding life here too tame to suit his migra- 
43 



6/4 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

tory spirit, he started in the spring of 1 846 for the ( then ) 
wilds of Minnesota, landing at St. Croix Falls. Mr. 
Morse was there employed by a large land company to 
prosecute their interests and build a town, going four 
hundred miles inland from civilization. On their arrival 
they were greeted by 400 Indians, 30 white men and one 
white woman. Finding the life too rough he put his 
family in a skiff and paddled down the river thirty-five 
miles, to meet a boat going to Fort Snelling. Bringing 
up at Monroe, Wis., he remained there ten years, educa- 
ting his children. In November, 1856, he removed to 
Waverly, the county-seat of Bremer county, Iowa, where 
he has contributed much to its growth and prosperity. 
Mr. Morse has held many offices of trust, filling them 
with great fidelity, having been deputy register of deeds, 
deputy sheriff, and jailer of Green county, Wis. At his 
present residence he has been city assessor, mayor, coun- 
ty treasurer, county commissioner and register of deeds, 
each of which offices he has held for a number of years. 
In 1876 he was commissioned by the governor one of 
the superintendents to represent Iowa at the Centennial 
Exposition. In politics Isaac Kill was his school and 
the N. H. Patriot his text-book, until the late war. In 
1866 he united with the Congregational church, of which 
he is one of the deacons. 

(19.) Frank Rogers, A. M., D. D., received his preliminary 
education at Salisbury Academy, fitted for college at 
the New London Literary and Scientific Institute, now 
Colby Institute, entered Dartmouth College in 1857, and 
graduated four years later, when he began a four years 
course at the Newton Theological Institute, graduating 
in 1865. He m. Emma B., dau. of John Giles, an exten- 
sive carriage manufacturer in New Jersey ; had one dau., 
Maud M. E. Rev. Mr. Morse has been pastor over 
some of the largest Baptist societies in the country. He 
is a brilliant and easy speaker, thoroughly versed in the- 
ology, and a laborious worker in Christ's vineyard. He is 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 675 

at present (1884) pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist church 
at Brooklyn, N. Y., ; is one of the professors in the Brook- 
lyn Lay College and Biblical Institute, which has a wide 
reputation for the great good it has accomplished in fit- 
ting young men for the ministry ; he is also one of the 
owners and editors of the New York Watch Tower, a 
religious weekly journal published in the interest of the 
Baptist denomination, and having a wide circulation. 
During his ministry of over seventeen years upwards of 
one thousand persons have united with the churches un- 
der his charge. In 1882 the Central University of Iowa 
conferred upon him the degree of D. D. 



THE MOULTON FAMILY. 

The Moultons of New England are the descendants of two 
brothers. William, the elder, came to this country with his 
wife from Edinburg, Scotland, at the earnest solicitation of a 
sea-captain from Newbury, (Newburyport ) Mass., at which 
place they settled, removing thence to Amesbury. They had 
two sons ; one was a famous jeweler at Newbury, the other, 
William, removed to Amesbury and married — Harriman. At 
the age of sixteen he served as aid to Gen. Wells, and was at 
the battle of Long Island. Aug. 28, 1776, at the battle of Mon- 
mouth, that terrible hot Sunday, when above the noise of the 
battle rose the cry for "water, water," from the wounded and 
dying, young Moulton shared their sufferings. He was present 
at the hanging of Major Andre, Oct. 2, 1780. Of his family 
was Caleb H., who lived and died at Hampstead, in the Moul- 
ton homestead now occupied by the 5th generation. He mar- 
ried Sophia Hardy, of Tewksbury, who still resides at Hamp- 
stead. Children: i. William M., born at Hampstead, Dec. 16, 
181 2; removed to Salisbury in the fall of 1840; purchased of 
John L. Eaton the Nathaniel Webster place, in 1845 ! married 
in 1846 Mary Ann, daughter of Samuel and Dorothy Langley, 



6^6 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

who was born at Wilmot, Sept. 23, 1821. Mr. Moulton was 
made a justice of the peace before settling here, has held vari- 
ous town offices, and has ranked as one of our leading farmers 
and substantial citizens. The other ancestor of this family was 
Col. Jonathan Moulton, a younger brother of William first above 
mentioned. Jonathan, with his wife and seven sons and sixty- 
one others, received the grant of the present town of Moulton- 
borough from the Masonian proprietors, Nov. 17, 1763. 



THE NOYES FAMILY. 

TWO BRANCHES. 

I. Nathaniel was a descendant of Rev. James Noyes, who 
emigrated from Charleston, England, in 1634, settling at New- 
bury, Mass., in 1635 5 his son William had a son Parker, who 
was the father of Rev. Nathaniel, who was born Aug. 12, 1735, 
graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1759, was ordained 
pastor of the Congregational church at South Hampton, Feb. 
23, 1763, and d. at Newbury in 1810; married (i) Sarah Hale ; 
married (2) — ; by his first wife he had Nathaniel, (i) born at 
South Hampton, Nov. 24, 1766, who settled in Salisbury about 
1790. (See carpenters.) He resided in the house known as 
the Nathaniel Bean place, and had a store in what is now Mrs. 
Nathaniel Bean's garden, which was eventually removed to the 
opposite side of the street and made into a barn. In 1793 he 
paid a tax on ;^50 worth of goods, and in 1808 a tax on goods 
worth $2000 ; he died Jan. 7, 1821 ; married, in 1809, Sarah 
Emery, of Newbury, Mass., by whom he had the following chil- 
dren who lived to grow up : 

2. Nathaniel E., settled at Baltimore, Md. 

3. Mary E., m. Alfred, son of Dr. J. Kittredge, and resides at Haverhill, Mass. 
By his second wife he had Parker Noyes, Esq. { See Lawyers.) 

SECOND BRANCH. 

4. Joseph was b. at Hampstead in 1764, and early in life was 
a merchant at Haverhill, Mass., removing in a few years 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 6"]^ 

to Salisbury, where he settled on the well-known Noyes 
farm, now owned by A. D. Davenport. In 1808 the 
house was destroyed by fire, occasioned by his second 
son, Joseph, playing with fire, from which he got the 
nick-name of "Federalist." After the fire Mr. Noyes 
moved down to Republican village, (now Franklin) and 
built the house lately occupied by Mrs. Isabella West. 
The basement he finished into a store and continued in 
business until he sold out to Capt. Ebenezer Blanchard. 
He was honest, upright and industrious, but close in his 
dealings, thereby becoming known as "Hard Money 
Joe." In his marriage he was unfortunate ; his wife be- 
ing extravagant run him into debt, business was not 
good, and he became exceedingly enraged against the 
village people, particularly Ebenezer Eastman. Shaking 
the dust from his feet he moved up the river and built a 
house in which he kept store and d. Dec. 23, 18 18. Mr. 
Noyes was the founder of the "Noyes School," in Ando- 
ver, and at his death left $10,000 in money and his home- 
stead farm in the hands of his executor, Robert Barber, 
Esq., (son of Robert I^arber, of Salisbury,) to found a 
"seminary of learning." In his will appears the follow- 
ing item: "I do hereby direct my executor to take 
$10,000 of my personal property and bank stock, and ap- 
propriate it for the support of a public school ; said 
school to be under the direction of six directors, who 
shall at first be appointed by my executor, and after that 
they shall fill their own vacancies. The house for said 
school to be buiit on the farm on which I now live, 
which farm I also give and bequeath for the support of 
said school ; said school to be denominated Noyes 
School." Agreeably to this bequest Mr. Barber, who 
was an honorable and enlightened gentleman, one who 
smoked much and had the happy faculty of keeping 
his mouth shut, proceeded to the execution of his trust, 
and in 1822 built a large two-story schoolhouse, nearly 
opposite the Noyes residence, and in the following year 



678 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

the school went into successful operation, under Mr. 
Tylor. The school was maintained for some five years, 
the old homestead having been converted into a board- 
ing house. In 1828 his son Joseph had succeeded in 
breaking the will, on the plea of insanity, and came into 
possession ; the schoolhouse was sold, moved to the vil- 
lage, (now Franklin) and located on the corner opposite 
Judge Nesmith's. The store was bought by James Gar- 
land, removed to the same village and converted into a 
cooper's shop. 

5. Thomas Jefferson, b. Nov. 20, 1S05 > ^^ studied medicine. 

6. Joseph, b. Jan. 10, 1807; m. Susan Tucker, of Andover ; he d. March 13, 

1870 ; she d. July 30, 1861, aged 51. 
7.. James, b. Oct. 19, 180S; d. May 26, 1810. 8. Lucy R., b. Oct. 9, 181 1. 



THE OSGOOD FAMILY. 

I. Enoch was born at old Salisbury, Mass., June 13, 1773. 
Removing to Salisbury in the spring of 1791, he cleared up the 
land and built the house now occupied by Elbridge .Shaw, and 
remained on the farm during his residence here. In the spring 
of 1834 the family removed to East Andover, where he died 
June 19, 1835. Mr. Osgood was a good farmer and a man uni- 
versally esteemed by his townsmen. He was one of the most 
firm and staunch friends of the Rev. Mr. Worcester, and after 
the latter's severance from the Congregational church he fre- 
quently held Sabbath services at Mr. Osgood's, to large and 
christian audiences. He married, July 22, 1807, Dorcas Brown, 
of Northfield, who was b. April 5, 1785, and d. Nov. 9, 1861. 

2. Benjamin, b. Aug. 6, iSoS ; d. in September, 1810. 

2. Benjamin, b. Sept. 21, 1810; d. Sept. 12, 1839, unm. He learned the cabinet 
maker's trade of John Rowell, at Franklin. 

4. Joseph, b. May 8, 1812; removed to East Andover and d. Nov. 2, 1S72. 

5. Enoch M., b. Dec. i, 1815; he was one of the first settlers at Oakland, Cal., 

where he d. Nov. i, 1853. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 679 

6. Hannah R., b. Dec. 17, 1817; m. (i) Jan. 2, 1840, Caleb P. Marston, a native 

of Andover, who d. June 27, 1858 ; m. (2) Sept. 18, 1859, John Fellows, of 
Andover, who d. Nov. 23, 1868 ; she resides at Andover. 

7. Mary B., b. May 7, 1820 : d. Nov. 5, 1848. 

8. Dorcas B., b. March 5, 1822 ; d. in September, 1826. 



THE PAGE FAMILY. 

THREE BRANCHES. 

I. Onesiphorus Page removed from South Hampton to Sal- 
isbury about 1790, purchasing the land, clearing up the farm 
and building the house now occupied by Caleb T. Roby. He 
was a man of good education and ability and frequently taught 
school winters. Mrs. Mehitable Doty (Hannah Page, of Til- 
ton,) says: "My father (John 4) had four brothers, Robert, 
Joseph, Orlando and Capt. Samuel, also two sisters, one of 
whom married a Pingrey and lived at Danbury." The record, 
gathered from numerous sources, is as follows : 

2. Moses, b. July i, 1769. (See.) 

3. Mehitable, b. Sept. i, 1771 ; m. May 10, 1722, Dea. Benjamin Huntoon. ( See.) 

She d. Sept. 9, 1804. 

4. John, b. in 1773 ; m. Jan. 24, 1799, Hannah Batchelder ; removed to Vermont 

and thence to that part of Sanbornton now Tilton, where he d. June 9, 
1S52, aged 79; she d. Sept. 6, 1S63, aged 91. 

5. Onesiphorus, b. — He was a successful school teacher. 

6. Samuel, (Capt.) remained on the farm until 1S32, when he removed to Maine; 

he d. in 1873 ; m. (i) Sept. 6, 1S07, Rhoda, dau. of Rev. Jonathan Searles ; 
m. (2) Feb. 19, 181 1, Dolly Sargent, of Boscawen. 

7. David, b. — He was a physician located at Meredith. 

(2) Moses resided at the foot of the hill, south of J. W. Fi- 
field's. Mis death occurred from an accident, Nov. 12, 
1835 ; he m. (i) Joanna, dau. of Jacob Bohonnon, who d. 
Oct. 4, 1811; m. (2) March 12, 1812, Judith, dau. of 
Phineas Bean. 

8. Moses, b. April 21, 1797 ; m. March 12, 1812, (?) Susan, dau. of Sinkler Bean. 

9. Sarah, b. Aug. 10, 1799; m. April 8, 1819, AIjcI Tandy. 

10. Mehitable, b. Oct. 7, 1803 ; m. in 1829, Nathan Johnson; she d. Sept. 16, 1880. 



680 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

11. Mary, b. March S, 1S13; m. Nov. 14, 1843, Israel Palmer and resides at Gar- 

land, Me. 

12. John B., b. April 17, 1815 ; d. in April, 1S51, unm. 

13. David, b. Dec. 7, 1816; m. Elizabeth Atkinson, of Alexandria. 

14. Moses, b. Oct. 22, i8i8; m. in 1S45, Hannah Walker, of Salisbury ; resides at 

Garland, Me. 

15. Joshua B., b. April 26, 1822 ; m. in 1850, Jane Phelps, of Wilmot ; he d. April 

25, 1863. 

16. Benjamin F., b. May 24, 1825 ; m. in 184S, Harriet A. Danforth, of Salisbury : 

they reside at Manchester. 

SECOND BRANCH. 

Rev. Christopher Paige, (so spelled) A. M., son of William and 
Nancy (Aiken) Paige, was b. at Harwich, Mass., June 
12, 1762; graduated at Dartmouth in 1784; studied di- 
vinity and was ordained pastor of the Congregational 
church at Pittsfield, in 1789, and was dismissed Jan. 7, 
1796; supplied at Deering and Washington; was in- 
stalled pastor at Roxbury, Nov. 21, 18 16, and was dis- 
missed March 2, 18 19; removed to Salisbury, where he 
d. Oct. 12, 1822. He m. Rebecca, relict of Elijah 
Fletcher, of Hopkinton ; she d. July 9, 1821. 

THIRD BRANCH. 

Ebenezer Page, settled east of South Road village. (?) In 1765 
it was voted, " To lay out to Ebenezer Page what is due 
him to make up his right in sd. town." 



THE PALMER FAMILY. 

Dudley Palmer settled on the east side of Searles hill ; he 
married, March 27, 1777, Rebecca Pingrey. Children : 

I. Dudley, b. July 18, 1778. 2. Rebecca, b. March 15, 17S0. 

3. Hannah, b. June i, 1782; d. Feb, 22, 1784; she was the first person buried 

in the graveyard at Shaw's corner. 

4. John, b. Dec. 26, 1783. 

5. Hannah, b. Oct. 9, 1785 ; m. July 5, 1805, John Colby, of Concord. 

6. Phebe, b. July 9, 1787. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 68 1 



THE PARKER FAMILY. 

TWO BRANCHES. 

I. Daniel, (Deacon) b. at Charlestown, Mass., Oct. 27, 
1762. To escape the threatened war his mother left there 
April 19, 1775, fleeing to Medford, thence to Haverhill. He 
was bound out to his uncle, E. Townsend, at Chester, to learn 
the saddler's trade, remaining during his minority ; m. Oct. 27, 
1784, Nancy Healey, who was b. at Chester, Sept. 6, 1763 ; he 
removed to Salisbury, March 3, 17S6, building the one-story 
part of the S. W. Green house, the front room of which he used 
for his trade. On the completion of the 4th New Hampshire 
turnpike he was appointed gate-keeper, his house standing 
opposite the road leading from the turnpike to East Andover, 
his shop standing south from the house. He became converted 
to the Baptist faith, and was church clerk and deacon for a 
number of years ; d. April 22, 1842 ; she d. Sept. 16, 1839. 

2. Mary, b. Aug. 31, 17S5 ; m. March 4, 1813, Jonathan Sleeper, of .\ndover ; she 

d. in Maine, Dec. 13, 1S4S : he d. in 1S6S. They left four children ; the 
youngest, Rev. William K., b. Feb. 9, 1S19, graduated at the University 
of Vermont in 1S50, and at the Andover Theological .Seminary in 1S53; is 
pastor of the .Summer St. Congregational church, at Worcester, Mass. 

3. John, b. May 31, 17S7 ; d. May 27, 1S25; m. Rachel Carter, of Wellington, 

Mass., who d. at Athens, Iowa, in 1826. (?) 

4. Mary, b. June 8, 17S9; m. Jacob Smith, of Sanbornton ; d. Nov. 13, 1S49. 

5. .\bigail G., b. Jan. 8, 1792; m. (i) July r, 1817, William True, of Andover! 

m. (2) Osgood Pingrey; d. in Maine in 1S69. (.') 

6. Daniel, b. Jan. 2, 1794 ; m. Mary, dau. of Judge Whittemore, of Tembroke ; d- 

at Lowell, Mass. 

7. Elizabeth, b. March 10, 1797; m. .\mos Garland and removed to Topsham» 

Vt. ; d. April 3, 1S72. 

8. Hannah T., b. April 30, 1799; m. Feb. 10, 1S23. Samuel Cilley, of Andover; 

d. July 2, 1849. 

9. Isaac T., b. March i8, 1804; m. Sarah Moore, of Amherst, 
where she d. April 13, 1834; he removed to Hill in 1835, 
where he m. (2) March 8, 1837, Mary M. Fowler, and 
where he has since been engaged in mercantile pursuits. 



682 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

He represented that town in the state legislature, in 
1847-8, and served as postmaster under presidents 
Pierce and Buchanan ; he was a member of the constitu- 
tional convention in 1876; d. at Hill, March 2, 1883. 

10. Nathaniel (Hon.) was b. Jan. 31, 1807; removed to Willis- 

ton, Vt., in September, 1826, which town he represented 
in the legislature in 1839-42 ; removed to Burlington in 
March, 1845. He was appointed deputy collector and 
inspector in 1843, holding the position for six years. 
For a number of years he held the position of director in 
the Merchants and Commercial banks, and was an active 
director in the Vermont Life Insurance Co. from the date 
of its incorporation. In past years he has been and is at 
present president of the Burlington Glass Co., of which 
his son Frank H. is superintendent, as also superintend- 
ent of the city water works. In 1870 he was appointed 
Assistant Judge of the County Court, holding the office 
for six years. Since his residence in Burlington he has 
in various ways identified himself with the interests of 
the city. Judge Parker superintended the building of 
the first court house in the state, the noble and charita- 
ble Fletcher Free Hospital, and an Art Gallery. He 
m. (i) May 24, 1828, Cynthia L. Haines, of Williston, 
who d. Feb. 19, 1845 ; m. (2) Jan. 15, 1846, Julia, dau. of 
Nathan B. Hoswell. 

11. Edwin R., b. Dec. 17, 1830; d. Nov. 11, 1S4S. 

12. George H., b. May 22, 1S34; d. Sept. 14, 1836. 

13. Sarah A., b. Sept. 2, 183S; m. Jan. 22, 1862, Clark Willis. 

14. Frank 11., b. Sept. 11, 1853; m. July 4, 1871, Carrie Root. 

SECOND BRANCH. 

15. Nathan Parker is supposed to have resided in the one-story 

part of the Sylvester W. Green house, although his 
name may have been confounded with that of Deacon 
Daniel Parker. He m. June 29, 1786, Hannah, dau. of 
Shubael Greeley; he d. — ; she m. (2) Dec. 6, 1792, 
Daniel Flanders, of Boscawen ; she d. at Dorchester, (i*) 

16. Edward Pettengill, b. Oct. i, 1786. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 683 



THE PARSONS FAMILY. 

The ancestor of the New England family bearing this name 
was Joseph, who was born in England. He married Mary 
Bliss and emigrated to this country in July, (636, settling at 
North Hampton. 

I. William, (Deacon) son of Ebenezer and — (Potter) Par- 
sons, was a grandson of Rev. William Parsons, the first 
ordained minister and one of the proprietors of Gilman- 
ton, to which place he removed, Aug. i, 1763, from 
South Hampton. He was an excellent minister of the 
Congregational faith ; two of his brothers were ministers 
and an only sister married a minister. Dea. William 
was b. at Gilmanton, Dec. 10, 1791 ; m. Feb. 16, 1815, 
Sally, dau. of Dea. Hubbard Stevens. (See.) She d. in 
Salisbury, Feb. 13, 1865. Shortly after marriage he 
removed to Pittsfield, remaining one year, when he re- 
moved to Salisbury and purchased and put into its pres- 
ent shape the E. H. K. Gilbert house. By trade a car- 
penter and cabinet maker, in order to carry on the latter 
business he built a large two-story shop, which stood in 
Mr. Gilbert's garden ; the shop was eventually moved to 
its present location by Rev. Mr. Coombs, where the lat- 
ter resided, and is the house east of Stephen B. Sweatt's 
shop. The handiwork of Mr. Parsons is seen in the res- 
idences of our older families, and shows serviceable wear. 
He altered over, moved back and put the steeple on the 
Baptist church. Soon after removing here he united 
with the Congregational church, under the pastorate of 
the Rev. Mr. Worcester, was made a deacon and held 
the office until his death, July 31, 1869. 

2. Lucy 15., b. June 15, 1S17 ; m. April 3, 1S52, Arthur L. Graves. ( See.) 

3. William B., b. Oct. 8, 1819. (Sec.) 

4. Sarah J., b. Aug. 20, 1823 ; m. in 1S48, Rev. Enoch H. Caswell, who was b. at 

Middleton, Vt., in 181S; graduated from Middlebury College and Andover 
Theological Seminary; preached in this state and Vermont some eighteen 



684 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

years; he d. while preaching at Bennington, Vt., Nov. ii, 1853. Child- 
ren: I. George B., b. in Salisbury, Dec. 16, 1850; m. Oct. 13, 1881, Sophia 
A. Chamberlain, of Cambridgeport, Mass. 

5. Andrew H., b. Feb. 17, 1831. ( See.) 

(3.) William Brown m. Dec. 22, 1842, Elizabeth H. George; 
he built the house occupied by Mrs. Tenney. In 1874 
he removed to the Andrew Bowers house, (Congrega- 
tional church parsonage) and opened the old Greenough 
store, doing a general mercantile business until April i, 
1879, when he removed to the Samuel Greenleaf store. 
He was appointed postmaster in the fall of 1878, and 
continued in trade until he sold out, Jan. 19, 1882, to A. 
E. Quimby ; removed to Concord, where he d. Jan. 15, 
1885. 

6. Clara J., b. April 29, 1S45; m. Jan. i, 1S66, Dr. G. P. Titcomb. (See Physi- 

cians.) 

7. Mary E., b. Nov. 24, 1S4S; m. July 6, 1S71, Edwin B., son of Hiram and Eydia 

K. Emerson, a grandson of Jonathan and Polly Emerson, who were early 
settlers in Weare. He was b. at Littleton, May 22, 1849, ^"^ educated at 
Colby Academy and at St. Johnsbury, Vt. He was three years with E. T. 
Fairbanks & Co., having charge of their small ware department at their 
retail store. For a time he was with the "Nashua Shirt Co.," at Nashua, 
and afterwards for nine years with H. M. Burr & Co., at Boston. When 
his father-in-law removed to the Greenleaf store he joined in partnership, 
selling out to Charles P. Smith. 

8. Ann Ella, b. Feb. 21, 1S53; m. Dec. 15, iSSi, Charles P. Smith. 

(5.) Andrew Hubbard m. Sept. 11, 1856, Carrie D., dau. of 
Alonzo R. and Louisa (Rogers) Dinsmore, of Auburn. 

9. Lilla A., b. Feb. 4, 1S59. 10. Walter E., b. June 22, 1S61. 
II. Frank W., b. Aug. ii, 1870. 12. Helen D., b. Jan. 31, 1875. 



THE PEARSON FAMILY. 

I. Moses, son of Moses, b. at Newburyport, Mass., removed 
to Hopkinton, thence to Salisbury, settling in the old- Robert 
Barber house, near George W. Wells; he died in 1818; mar- 
ried Lois Rogers, of Newburyport, who died in October, 1842. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 685 

2. Lois, b. July 12, 1796; d. unm. 

3. Moses, b. April 16, 1798; m. Dec. 17, 1820, Sally Ladd ; removed to Lowell, 

Mass. 

4. Samuel, b. March 19, iSoo. ( See.) 

5. Susan, b. Feb. 15, 1803; m. Feb. 26, 1828, Caleb, son of Caleb Hean, who was 

b. at Gilmanton, Feb. 16, 1S06; he resided on the south side of the south 
rangeway, opposite Charles Holmes; he d. Feb. 12, 1865; she d. Jan. 12, 
1873. Children: i. Susan P., b. March 6, 1829; m. Dec. 8, 1S47, L R 
Gale ; he d. in November, iSSS. 11. Moses C, b. July 17, 1831 ; m. (i) Jan, 
I, 1855, Lydia M. Cram, who d. Dec. 27, 1858; m. (2) Jan. 22. 1862, Helen 
M. Smith ; resides at Haverhill, Mass. in. Julia F., b. July 29, 1834 
IV. George W., b. Dec. 5, 1839; m. Oct. 27, 1866, Hannah Hilton; resides 
at Haverhill. 

(4.) Samuel resided for a time at the top of the hill, west of 
William Holmes, where he carried on a brick yard, and 
removed thence to the Charles Holmes house. In 1835 
he removed to the William Calef house, on Searles hill, 
which was destroyed by fire in 1879; he d. there Dec. 
15, 1871 ; m. Oct. 21, 1824, Hannah, dau. of William and 
Hannah (Eastman) Calef. 

6. Hannah I., b. April 19, 1S26; m. Oct. 24, 1863, ^- E. I'ierson and resides at 

Franklin. 

7. William F., b. Apr. 2, 1828; he purchased the John Calef farm, opposite his 

father's; m. Jan. i, 1857, Mary J. Hancock, who was b. at Franklin, Dec. 
10, 1834. Children: i. Mary Lizzie, b. Nov. 18, 1S57. 11. Clara A., b. 
April II, 1859. III. Sammie, b. Jan. 30, 1861. iv. Willie A., b. April i, 
1863. V. Neddie F., b. Oct. 26, 1S64. vi. Alice, b. Nov. 3, i86S. vii. Car- 
rie G., b. Aug. II, 1S70, VIII. John 1'.., b. Dec. 10, 1S72. i.\. Klla, b. July 
15, 1876. X. Anna, b. Sept. 23, 18S1. 



THE PEASLEY FAMILY. 

I. John married Oct. 2, 1820, Ruth Stevens, an adopted 
daughter of Joseph Meloon, and carried on the Meloon farm ; 
he was by trade a shoemaker, the shop standing at the foot of 
the hill, east of the house. Children so far as known : 

2. Nancy, d. young. 

3. Haven, m. Lucinda Johnson and resided on Cash street in the .-\dams house. 

4. Daniel, m. — French. 5. Ira, m. Louisa Kastman ; resides at Prescott, Minn. 



686 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

6. Lyman. 7. Gideon. 8. Eliza A., m. William Hunt ; d. at Woburn, Mass. 
9. Mary, m. Frank Busiel, of Concord; resides at Nashua. (.■*) 
10. Helen, d. young. 11. Julia, m. Montresser Allen; resides at Woburn, Mass. 



THE PECKER FAMILY. 

Jonathan E. Pecker was for several years a resident taxpayer 
and school teacher in Salisbury. Born in Concord, May 28, 
1838; graduated from the Chandler Scientific Department, 
Dartmouth College, in 1858; taught school and read law for 
several years. In 1862 he was a member of the staff of corres- 
pondents of the Boston Journal and since 1872 has been mana- 
ger of the New Hampshire News Bureau of this paper, in Con- 
cord. Was in Virginia in 1861 as a newspaper correspondent, 
and as such has traveled extensively in Canada, the West, and 
Mexico. Was present at the banquet given in honor of the late 
Major-Gen. Ord, U. S. A., in the City of Mexico, and at the 
grand review of the troops of the Valley of Mexico, at Tacu- 
baya, in 1881 ; was a guest of Ex-President Diaz in an official 
excursion in southern Mexico. On the staffs of Govs. Prescott 
and Head ; was an aide-de-camp with the rank of Colonel and 
chief of the honorary staff of the 3d Regiment, State National 
Guard. He is chairman of the library committee of the New 
Hampshire Historical Society ; member of the New England 
Historic-Genealogical Society, of Boston, and biographical sec- 
retary of the Chandler Alumni Association ; honorary member 
of the New Hampshire Press Association, and of the Kansas 
State Historical Society. In 1865 he was State Military His- 
torian. He is unmarried and makes his home in Concord. 



THE PERRIN FAMILY. 

I. Stephen, of whom very little is known, settled at Shaw's 
corner on land originally laid out to Henry Morrill and Ebene- 
zer Lang, and was probably the first settler at the corner; his 
dwelling was small, part of which he used as a hatter's shop ; 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHV 68/ 

he sold out to Edward Quimby, who tore down the old house 
and built another ; the property then came into the possession 
of Benjamin Shaw. When Perrin sold out he removed to near 
the top of Searles hill, on the eastern slope, the place afterwards 
owned by Mr. Guilford. 

2. Caleb, had a son True. 3. Polly. 

4. Sally, m. Aug. 2S, 1S21, Samuel Ordway, of Greenfield, 5. Stephen. 

6. Amos. 7. Martha, m. Jan. 10, 1S21, Samuel Whittemore. 



THE PETERS FAMILY. 

TWO BRANCHES. 

James, the ancestor of this family, came from Europe, bring- 
ing seven sons. Cogswell's History of Henniker. p. 55, says: 
"In the spring of 1761 Mr. James Peters and his family moved 
into town from Hopkinton. * * * He was one of the grant- 
ees of Henniker, but born in Europe. The town was an un- 
broken forest ; his nearest neighbors on the east were at Putney 
hill, Hopkinton, and there was no mill or store nearer than 
Penacook, (Concord.) His wife did not see a white woman for 
eighteen months after reaching town, e.vcept a hired girl she 
had brought with her. He resided there for several years, then 
returned to Hopkinton with his family and afterwards removed 
to Vermont, where he spent the remainder of his days." His 
great-grandchildren, who reside at Danbury, say their great- 
grandfather James did not reside in Vermont, but moved from 
Henniker to Salisbury, clearing up the land on which he resid- 
ed, known as the Morrill farm, now occupied by Moses Colby, 
at the southwest part of the town. His genealogy gives him 
three sons: 1. William, who m. Sarah Peters, (see History of 
Henniker, p. 391,) settled in Henniker in 1763, upon the farm 
known as the Jacob Peters place, and was killed by the falling 
of a tree, July 5, 1775. 11. Sibbons, d. j)rior to 1772. iii. Jo- 
seph, b. in 1768; m. Nov. 29, 1791, Sarah Peters. He had an- 
other son, John, (iv.) My impression is that this is the one 



688 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

who settled on the Morrill farm instead of his father, James, 
and that his son (John 2) was the one who settled by Peters 
bridge, when his father went to live with him, and after the 
death of his father John (iv) went to Danbury. I have made 
my sketch of the family to coincide with this view. 

1. John (iv, see above,) settled on the Morrill farm early in 

1796; he went to live with his son John and d. there. 
In the revolutionary war he served in Stark's brigade, at 
the battle of Bennington, where he was wounded in the 
shoulder by a musket ball ; he was also with Washington 
at the time Arnold's treason was discovered. He m. 
(i) Hannah Usher, of Dracut, Mass. ; m. (2) widow Bet- 
sey Stanley, of Hopkinton. 

2. John. { See.) 3. Sally, m. Joseph Farnum. 

(2.) John was the first settler by Peters bridge, which was 
named for him ; his house stood on the south side of the 
bridge, on land now owned by Charles C. Rogers ; when 
his parents got old they came to live with him, and after 
their death, in 1 818, he removed to Danbury, where he 
died. He m. Sally Peasley, of Sutton, who was b. Sept. 
29, 1 791, and d. Sept. t6, 1869. 

4. John, b. Dec. 25, 1813; m. (i) Laura Williams, of Grafton; m. (2) Eleanor E. 

Whitney, of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; m. (3) widow Mary A. Titus, of Hill; he 
resides at Danbury. 

5. Susan, b. Dec. 26, 1815; resides at Danbury. 

6. Hannah, b. March 20, 1S18; d. Jan. 15, 1836. 

7. Nancy, b. April 24, 1820; m. Joseph Sanborn; resides at Tama City, Iowa. 

8. William D., b. Oct. 10, 1822; d. Sept. 20, 1832. 

9. Drucilla J., b. Aug. 31, 1825; resides at Danbury. 

ic. Mary A., b. July 19, 1829; d. May 23, 1863; m. James G. Tenney ; resides at 
Alexandria. 

11. Ruth M., b. Jan. 15, 1832; m. Sanford Kimdall ; resides at Columba, Iowa. 

SECOND BRANCH. 

12. William, eldest child of Jacob Peters, who m. Dec. 3, 1793 

Sarah Wood Eager, of Henniker, whose father was Wil- 
liam, who m. Sarah Peters, whose father was James, one 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 689 

of the grantees of Henniker, was b. at Henniker, Sept. 
10, 1794; m. Jan. 23, 1822, Fanny Hadley ; she d. — ; 
he d. in Salisbury. 

13. John, b. Dec. 2, 1S22. ( .See.) 14. Obedi.ah, b. .Vpril 4, 1825. ( See.) 

IS- Hannah, b. Jan. 9, 1S27 ; m. Peabody Davis. 

16. Sarah, b. Oct. 22, 1S28; m. Willard Richardson. 

17. Drucilla, b. /Vug. 23, 1S33; d. in June, 1.S69; m. — 

(13.) John m. (i) Jan. 16, 1842, Hannah Taplin, who d. Jan. 
29, 1856; m. (2) Rosannah Hadley. Children by his first 
, wife : 

iS. Drucilla, b. Sept. 20, 1S51 ; d. April 10, 1S5S. 
Children by second wife: 

19. William F., Oct. 10, 1857 ; m. March 3, 1879, Emily F. Brown. 

(14.) Obediah H. was b. at Bradford, April 4, 1S25 ; he resid- 
ed for a time at Newport, then at Nashua, and in 1878 
removed to Salisbury ; m. (i) in Newport, Lydia Hurd, 
who d. April 9, 1862 ; m. (2) July 26, 1863, Hattie Hutch- 
inson. Children by first wife : 

20. Sarah E., m. J. R. Hutchinson. 21. Fannie, m. Alfred Kelly, of Warner. 
22. William H. 23. Josie, m. Henry K. White, of Enfield. 

Children by second wife : 
24. Emma L., b. March 5, 1S68. 



THE PE'ITENGILL FAMILY. 

FOUR BRANCHES. 

The family emigrated from Yorkshire, England, purchasing 
a large tract of land in what is now Newburyport, Mass., in 
1640. A portion of this land remained in the family until 1875, 
when it passed into the hands of the gold speculators. From 
this land considerable of the precious metal has been taken. 
The family in all its branches has been enterprising, hospitable, 
given to social enjoyment, moral and conscientious, positive in 
their opinions, faithful to their engagements, and universally 
respected. The brothers and sisters who settled in Salisbury 
44 



690 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

were: i. Matthew, (see.) 2. David, (see.) 3. Andrew, (see.) 
4. Benjamin, (see.) 5. Betsey, who married Jacob Garland, 
(see.) 6. Hannah, who married Joseph Calef, (see.) 

FIRST BRANCH. 

(i.) Lieut. Matthew removed to Salisbury from Plaistow, as 
early as 1764. He was one of the proprietors' selectmen 
in 1767, and his registered sheep-mark is dated 1768. 
He resided in the house with his brother Andrew, after 
whose death he succeeded to the farm and kept the tav- 
ern. What became of him is not known. Hon. Moses 
Pettengill says: "His son Matthew (13) I remember 
seeing about 1812; he settled in Springfield or Enfield, 
had a family, and some promising sons." He m. (i) 
Sarah Carlton, who d. in 1767; m. (2) Sarah Colby. 
Children by first wife : 

7. Sarah, b. Dec. i, 1759. 

8. Susannah, b. Oct. i6, 1761 ; m. Jan. 17, 1779, Stephen Webster. (See.) 

9. Elizabeth, b. Aug. 17, 1763. 10. Phebe, ( Rhoda ) b. April 2, 1765. 

11. Jonathan Carlton, b. Feb. 17, 1767. ( See.) 

12. Molly, b. Feb. 19, 1769; d. — 

Children by second wife: 

13. Matthew, b. Dec. 3, 1770; settled at Springfield or Enfield. 

14. Mary, b. Sept. 18, 1772. 15. Zaccheus, b. April 24, 1774; removed to Enfield. 

16. Hannah, b. April 7, 1776; d. unm. 

17. Andrew, b. April 6, 1778; removed to Enfield. 

18. Sarah, b. June 5, 17S0. 19. James, b. Nov. 10, 1782; removed to Enfield. 

(i I.) Jonathan Carlton, familiarly known as Carlton, sold out 
the estate to William C. Little, (see) in April, iSoo, for 
$4500, and removed to Enfield. He m. Sept. 22, 1791, 
Mary Hall. 

Sukey, b. May 26, 1792; m. Nov. 15, 1812, Nathaniel Dow. (?) 
Phebe, b. Jan. 25, 1794; d. Sept. 4, 1795. 

John, b. Jan. 10, 1796; m. Nov. 11, 1S24, Mahala Kimball. {?) 
Phebe, b. Feb. 22, 1798. 24. Daniel McDaniel, b. Nov. 21, 1799. 
Abigail, b. Feb. 5, 1801 ; d. Nov. 24, 1802. 

SECOND BRANCH. 

(2.) Capt. David Pettengill undoubtedly came here as early as 
1760; he certainly resided here in 1767, settling on the 



GENEALOGY AND RIOGRAPHY 69I 

site now occupied by Isaac N. Sawyer. He devoted his 
entire interests to farming, owned much land and gave a 
farm to each of his children as a marriage portion. He 
died wealthy and esteemed by all. He m. in May, 1760, 
Betsey Heath, who d. Jan. 12, 1831, aged 91. 

26. Lydia. b. March 3, 1761 ; m. Nov. 9, 17S0, Rowell Colby. He took sixty 
young trees on his back, including apple, rose and currant bushes, to En. 
field in one day, setting them out on his farm at that place. 

27. Betsey, b. April 22, 1763 ; m. April 5, 1785, Joel Eastman. 
When quite young she rode from her home, in Rocking- 
ham county, to Salisbury, on a pillion, with her uncle. 
She was one of a number of young girls who discovered 
the lifeless body of an infant under a loose floor in a 
building in South Hamptom, connected with the school- 
room where Ruth Blay was teaching. She was then 
about five years of age. Miss Blay was arrested, tried 
and convicted for concealing the death of an infant 
child. She was executed in December, 1768. The 
sheriff who executed her was Thomas Packer. The fact 
that the discovery was made by Betsey and her school- 
mates, in consequence of which Miss Blay was exposed, 
tried and executed, cast a gloom over Mrs. Eastman's 
whole subsequent life, and in her later years she often 
referred to her knowledge of and connection with that 
melancholy affair, dwelling upon it with much sadness, 
and exhibiting great feeling and a spirit of compassion 
for the unfortunate victim, whose shameful death made 
a deep and lasting impression upon the public mind at 
the time. She always had a lurking suspicion that Miss 
Blay was wrongfully executed, and this opinion was 
shared by many, and although at that time her age was 
under the bounds of responsibility, she felt shocked at 
having contributed to the death of one who might have 
been "more sinned against than sinning." (See Appen- 
dix.) lietsey soon returned to Salisbury and ever after 
made the town her home, casting sunshine all around by 



692 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

her loveliness of disposition and genial temper. Under 
the preaching of Rev. Mr. Worcester several very marked 
revivals occurred, particularly one on Dec. 2d, 1794, when 
thirty young converts professed their faith in Jesus 
Christ, among whom was Mrs. Betsey Eastman. She 
was a woman of remarkably active body and retentive 
memory, which latter she retained until her death, Sept. 
30, 1867, aged 105 years, 5 months and 7 days. No 
person ever left her door hungry, and among the poor 
she was particularly charitable. Her native wit is well 
shown by the following anecdote : Her son, Hon. Joel 
Eastman, visited her just before her death, and when 
leaving kissed her and said, " Well, mother, we may 
never meet again on this earth," She quickly replied, 
"What, Joel, do you expect to die soon ?" 

28. Mehitable, b. June 23, 1765. 29. Marion, b. .May u, 1767 or 1768. 

30. David, b. March 29, 1769. ( See.) 

31. Ruth, b. April 7, 1772; m. March 21, 1793, Stephen Greenleaf. (See.) She 

d. March 18, 1826. 

32. Ann, b. June 26, 1775; d. Aug. 28, 1776. 33. Ann, b. June 19, 1777. 

34. Rebecca, b. Aug 25, 1779; m. in April, 1800, Isaac F. Sawyer. (See.) She 

d. Feb. I, 1845. 

35. Nancy, b. — ; m. Richard Currier, of Enfield. 

(30.) Lieut. David remained on the farm, building the present 
I. N. Sawyer house. In 18 16 he built the brick mansion 
on Centre road, when laborers were hired for a peck of 
shelled corn per day. After its completion he removed 
there and d. Dec. 29, 1829. He m. Jan. 18, 1797, Polly, 
dau. of Dea. Moses Sawyer, (see) who d. May i, 185 i. 

36. Betsey, b. Nov. 6, 1799; m. IJenjamin Pettengill. (See.) 

37. Melinda, b. Aug. 5, 1801 ; m. Rev. Iliram Stevens. ( See.) She d. Feb. 2, 1S74. 

38. Polly, b. Sept. 22, 1803; ^- Worcester Webster. (See.) 

39. John Milton, b. Jan. 4, 1806; came into possession of the old homestead 

where he d. April 10, 1838; m. Catherine Goss, of llenniker, where she d. 
Nov. 14, 1877, aged 74; two children, both d. young. 

40. David, b. July 26, 1812; d. Aug. 26, 1813. 

41. John F., b. — ; d. April 16, 1840, aged 12. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 693 

THIRD RKANCH. 

(3.) Ensign Andrew Pettengill was b. at Plaistow in 1742, 
from which place he removed to Salisbury previous to 
1769. He owned considerable property about South 
Road village, and built a two-story frame house, which 
stood between the dwelling house and shop owned and 
occupied by Dea. T. D. Little. It is said "this house 
was the first two-story frame house between the rivers." 
This house was the Pettengill tavern, the first public 
house in town. The town meetings, and public and re- 
ligious gatherings, were for many years held at this place- 
Mr, Pettengill was a blacksmith by trade, undoubtedly 
the first in the settlement, the shop standing west of his 
dwelling. He participated in the fight at Bunker Hill ; 
was 2d Lieut, in Capt. Peter Kimball's company, of Bos- 
cawen. Col. Stickney's regiment, at Bennington, where 
he was wounded in the leg, from the effects of which he 
d. after his return, Dec. 12, 1777, aged 35. He m. Abi- 
gail Greeley, who was b. at Plaistow in 1749. She m. 
(2) Sept. 20, 1779, Peter Severance; she d. at Bradford, 
Vt., in 1819. 

42. Benjamin, b. April 23, 1770. (See.) 

43. Betsey, ( Rebecca) b. .March 11, 1772; m. John Flanders, of Bradford, Vt. 

44. Abigail, b. July 26, 1774; m. Eliphalet Tenney, of Corinth, Vt. 

45. Marian, b. July 6, 1776; m. March 25, 179S, John Bean, of Warner. 

(42.) Lieut. Benjamin, at about the time of his marriage, built 
the William Holmes house and carried on the large farm, 
in addition to which he purchased and carried on the old 
Wilder & Bowers grist and linseed oil mill. About 1816 
he removed to South road and succeeded Stephen Web- 
ster in the tavern. Not liking hotel life he returned to 
the farm in 1820. As a most successful farmer he accum- 
ulated much property ; he was of more than ordinary 
ability, and in the Congregational church, of which he 
was a member, as well as in society, his standing was 
good. Although not a politician his friends had such 



694 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

unbounded confidence in his ability and integrity that 
they sent him to the legislature for two terms and con- 
tinued him as one of the board of selectmen for more 
than twenty-five years. For more than forty years he 
was tax collector. He m. Dec. 31, 1788, Hannah Gree- 
ley, who was b. June 26, 1772, and d. Sept. 28, 1838 ; he 
d. June 20, 1853. 

46. Andrew, b. April 30, 1790; m. Dec. 31, 181 1, Mary Smith. After the death 

of her husband, at Salisbury, Jan. 22, 1817, she m. (2) June 16, 1819, Capt. 
Elias Pike, of Newburyport, Mass., where she d. — They had one son, 
Silas, who settled at Alton, 111., where he d. in 1S3S. Mr. Pettengill built 
a house on the site of the residence of Charles C. Holmes. He had a tan- 
nery and carried on the gristmill. 

47. David, b. Dec. 4, 1791 ; m. (i) Jan. 21, 1817, Hannah Quimby, who d. April 

25, 1S30; m. (2) Abigail Quimby. He resided for a time on Searles hill, 
and had seven children ; he d. at Alton, 111., leaving three sons: David E., 
who resides at Bunker Hill, III. ; George and Benjamin, and four daugh- 
ters, viz: Mrs. D. B. Gale, of St. Louis, Mo., Mrs. Dr. Erving, of Alabama, 
Lucy and — 

48. Mary, b. Dec. 14, 1793; d. Dec. 3, 1S63, unm. 

49. Moses, b. Nov. 27, 1795; d. Jan. 7, 1801. 

50. John, b. Oct. 19, 1797; d. Nov. 28, 1816. 

51. Sarah, b. Oct. 23, 1799; m. Col. Stephen Sanborn, (see. She d. at St. Louis, 

Missouri, June 6, 1840, leaving three daughters, Mary, Cordelia and Sarah, 
the latter being married. They are well educated and are worthy christian 
women, residing at Bunker Hill, 111. 

52. Moses, b. April 16, 1802. (See.) 

53. Ursula, b. April 2, 1804; m. Moses True, (see.) She d. at Bunker Hill, III, 

Aug. II, 1842. 

54. Benjamin G., b. April 30, 1S06; m. Fanny Stevens, of Rochester, N. Y. He 

d. at St. Louis, Mo., July 27, 1839. 

55. Julia A., b. July 20, 1808; m. Joseph Smith, (see.) She d. March 8, 1859. 

56. Lydia J., b. Jan. 5, 1812 ; m. William H. Smith; d. at St. Louis, Feb. 10, 1841. 

57. Abigail T., b. Feb. 21, 1S14; m. Dr. Robert Smith, (see.) She d. Feb. 22, 

1868. 

58. John A., 1). May 14, 1817; m. — Johnson and resides at Bunker Hill, 111. He 

has two sons and two daughters; the former like their father are active 
bnsiness men ; the daughters are married and worthily fulfilling the place 
of wives, mothers and christians. 

(52.) Moses, (Hon.) His school advantages were concluded 
at Salisbury Academy in 1820, after which he taught 
school in his native town, at Lowell, Mass., and at Sara- 
toga, N. Y. In 1827 he embarked his earnings in a gen- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 6g$ 

eral store at Rochester, N. Y., and was burned out in 
Jan., 1828, losing all his property. Returning to Salis- 
bury he again went to teaching, and after a short time 
went into business at Bucksport, N. Y. While there he 
m. May 23, 1833, Lucy, dau. of Dea. Amos Pettengill, 
(see.) She was one of Salisbury's most successful 
teachers and for a time followed that occupation at the 
"Ipswich (Mass.) Female Seminary." As a 'wife and 
mother she was faithful and ordered her household with 
wisdom. As a Sabbath school teacher and church mem- 
ber, at her new home in Peoria, 111., she evinced an earn- 
est desire to do her duty to her scholars and to her heav- 
enly father. In the dark days of slavery Mrs. Pettengill 
was heart and hand with her husband in sympathy for a 
down-trodden and oppressed race. She d. at Peoria, 
Feb. 29, 1864. In June, 1834, with his wife and Mr. 
Jacob Gale, (see) he removed to Peoria, (then Fort 
Clark) 111., and in company with Mr. Gale opened the 
first hardware and stove store in that place. In 1835 
Mr. Pettengill bought out his partner and added the 
manufacture of sheet iron and copper ware, the first in 
central Illinois. He also engaged in the manufacture of 
plows and in the lumber business. In 1870 he began 
the manufacture of soap, but later withdrew from the 
company. He then engaged in the wholesale boot and 
shoe business, purchasing the interest of his partner in 
1873, and in 1875 the firm of Moses Pettengill & Son 
was formed to carry on the same business. In the 
spring of 1872 the Pettengill Boot and Shoe Manufactur- 
ing Co. was formed, with Mr. Pettengill as President, 
and S 100,000 capital stock. Within a year they secured 
the labor of the convicts at the Illinois State Penitentia- 
ry. They employ 250 men, and manufacture 65 cases a 
day, at a cost of Si 300 a day. By his first wife Mr. Pet- 
tengill had Hannah G., b. Sept. 5, 1836; d. March 22, 
1841 ; Moses T., b. May 17, 1839; <J- Nov. 21, 1844. 
He m. (2) May 17, 1S65, Mrs. Hannah W. (Bent) Tyner, 



696 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

an educated and christian lady, a native of Middlebury, 
Vt. By her former marriage she had one son, S. B. 
Tyner, b. Oct. 17, 1850, whom Mr. Pettengill adopted 
and took into partnership. In Dec, 1834, Peoria's first 
church — Presbyterian or Congregationalist — was organ- 
ized by Mr. Pettengill and wife, among elev^en members. 
From 1834-5 to 1881 he held the office of trustee and 
deacon, and since the latter date that of deacon. Dur- 
ing these forty-nine years he gave largely of his time 
and means to aid in building a frame church, a frame 
mission chapel, a brick church with bell and town clock, 
and a new stone church costing some $75,000, towards 
which he contributed 311,000, and in 1859 gave also a 
Thanksgiving offering to his church of $4000. He sub- 
scribed princely sums in aid of the negro, and his purse 
was always open for his country and the soldiers. He 
also gave liberally to sustain Wheaton College. For 
some years he had thought there was great need of an 
institution of learning — for girls especially — to qualify 
them for responsible positions. After friendly consulta- 
tion he purchased two lots in Peoria, costing $4500, and 
erected a three-story brick building with stone facings, 
50x64. This was completed in 1882, at a cost of about 
$25,000, the steam heating apparatus alone costing not 
less than $1600. The building is used as a day and 
boarding school, which is meeting with great success. 
Mr. Pettengill took much more interest in his family and 
in the moral questions of the day than in politics. He 
was however elected on a heavy vote by the Free Soil 
party to the state senate. He held the responsible office 
of treasurer of the city school fund, and was also school 
director, making an effort to secure free schools and free 
school houses, things at that time unknown in Illinois. 
For a time he held the office of city councilman. For 
upwards of forty-nine years Mr. Pettengill watched the 
growth of Peoria, and d. in his adopted city Nov. 9, 1883. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 697 

FOUKTH BRANCH. 

(4.) Capt. Benjamin Pettengill was b. at Haverhill, Mass., 
March i6, 1730; m. Mehitable Kimball, who was b. in 
Haverhill in 1739 ^"^ d. in Salisbury, April 23, 1812. 
The following obituary is taken from a Concord newspa- 
per : " Died in Salisbury, April 23, the widow Mehitable 
Pettengill, aged 74. Her husband, the late Capt. Benja- 
min Pettengill, for many years kept a public house, in 
which many weary and needy travelers, especially in the 
time of the infancy of many settlements in this state and 
in Vermont, had opportunity to witness the exemplary 
deportment, the peculiar hospitality, the sympathetic 
kindness and the truly christian charity of the deceased. 
To her children, grand-children and her numerous rela- 
tives she was greatly endeared by the most tender and 
unwearied regard to their welfare. To her neighbors 
and all around her she was a mother in Israel. Her 
christian profession from early life to old age was adorned 
by a steady discharge of her duty to her God, to her Sav- 
ior, to her brethren in the Lord, and to her fellow-crea- 
tures in general. Her religion was not so much in words 
as in deeds. Counting her own attainments in godliness 
as small, she appeared clothed in humility, saying less 
but doing more than others." Soon after marriage Mr. 
Pettengill removed to Plaistow, from which place he re- 
moved to Salisbury prior to 1773. It is the tradition 
that he settled over the cellar-hole on the north side of 
the road, west of John C. Carter. He may have built 
the house afterwards occupied by his son James. He 
d. March 15, 1S05. His children were: 

59. Benjamin, b. Sept. 22, 175S. ( See.) 60. .\mos, b. Nov. 5, 1760. ( See.) 

61. 15etsey, h. — ; m. John Fifield, 2d. 

62. .Abigail, b. Dec. 31, 1767; m. Maj. Isaac I'.laisdell. (See.) 

63. Mehitable, b. — ; m. .March n, 17S4, Capt. Winthrop Fifield. (See.) 

64. Polly, ( Mary) b. — ; m. Sept. 13, 1790, Col. Levi. S. George. ( See.) 

65. — ; m. — Judkins. 

66. Moses, b. in 1773: drowned in Blackwatcr river, June 30, 1794. 

67. James, b. Nov. 13, 1775. (See.) 



698 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(59.) Capt. Benjamin (2cl) built the John C. Carter house, and 
possibly the Stone house, opposite the brick mansion. 
When the news of the battle of Lexington reached here, 
in the forenoon, he and his father were at work in the 
field ; his mother called him to the house, told him what 
she had heard about the battle, and bade him go to his 
country's rescue. With a small bundle of necessities 
prepared by the mother, with his father's gun and equip- 
ments, he rapidly travelled south and arrived at Charles- 
town in season to participate at Bunker Hill, and served 
with distinction in other battles. He d. Feb. 3, 1834; 
m. Lydia Sleeper, of Kingston, who was b. at Plaistow, 
Nov. 13, 1755, and d. Dec. 10, 1830. 

68. Thomas Hale, b. Nov. 20, 17S0. ( See.) 

69. Lydia, b. April 28, 1782; m. May i, 1826, Dr. Calvin Batchelder, of North- 

field. ( See Physicians.) 

70. Benjamin, b. March 17, 1784; d. in 17S5. 

71. James, b. in November, 17S6; removed to Louisiana, where he d. March 9, 

1826, he had one son, Narkel, who removed to Georgia and d. unm. 

72. Benjamin, b. Sept. 17, 1789. ( See.) 73. Moses, b. in 1790, d. in 1791. 

74. Mehitable, b. June 19, 1792 ; m. Joseph Couch and removed to Nashua, where 

she d. in September, 1874, leaving one son, Enoch. 

75. Moses, b. March 8, 1794; d. at .Savannah, Ga., in September, 1819, unm. 

(60.) Amos (Deacon) before his marriage bought the old Cur- 
rier mill privilege, (see mills) and with unusual foresight 
purchased all the land about the "Bays," up as far as the 
C. J. White farm in Andover. By this means he con- 
trolled all the flowage. He soon erected a mill and later 
built the sawmill on the site of the Gookin sawmill, just 
previous to the August freshet of 1826. He then pur- 
chased the Peter Severance farm, (now the D. F. Searles 
farm on Centre road) built additional buildings and con- 
ducted a famous hotel from 1805 to 1838. He. d. March 
18, 1840. Mr. Pettengill was one of the town's most re- 
spected, enterprising and active citizens, possessing a 
sound judgment and not easily turned from his course 
when once decided. One of the prime movers in the 
4th New Hampshire turnpike, he owned much of the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 699 

Stock and held several offices in the same. He got up a 
snow plough, to which he attached twelve or fifteen yoke 
of oxen, making a road fifteen feet wide through the 
town. For many years he was one of the deacons in 
the Congregational church. His numerous family of 
daughters were accomplished and refined ladies, of fine 
personal appearance, possessing high worth and christian 
principles, and were educated at the old Dummer school 
in Byficld, Mass. He m. (i) Feb. 2, 1786, Charlotte 
True, who d. June 26, 1834, aged 73; m. (2) Aug. 30, 
1835, Jane Greeley, who d. Feb. 27, 1836, aged 59; m. 
(3) May 19, 1836, Deborah, widow of Rev. Thomas Wor- 
cester ; she d. July 26, 1839. Children : 

76. Eleanor, b. Dec. 26, 17S6; m. Samuel C. liartlett. (.See.) 

77. Amos, b. March 22, 17S9; d. March 22, 1790. 

78. Ann, b. April 10, 1791; m. Dr. Peter Bartlett, (see.) She d. at Peoria, 111., 

Nov. 3, 1S6S. 

79. Susannah, (Susan) b. Aug. 10, 1793; "^- ^'^*^^- benjamin Huntoon, ( see.) She 

d. at Peoria, Hi., Nov. 8, 1837. 

80. Mehitable, b. Nov. 12, 1795; m. in October, 1S24, Rev. Benjamin Woodbury, 

A. M., who was b. at New London, 1792, and d. at Plain, Ohio, Dec. 29, 

1845; she d. at Bowling Green, Ohio. 
Si. Sarah, b Sept. 21, 1797; m. June 27, 1821, Josiah Babcock, of Andover. He 

was a successful manufacturer and merchant; he d. at Galesburg, 111.; she 

d. at Hampden, Me., in 1S52. 
Sz. Amos, b. April 5, iSoo; d. Feb. 13, 1801. 

83. Lucy, b. Feb. 5, 1802 ; m. Hon. Moses Pettengill, ( see foregoing sketch.) She 

d. at Peoria, 111., Feb. 29, 1S64. 

84. Charlotte T., b. Feb. 26, 1805; m. June 2, 1828, Dr. Enoch Cross; she d. at 

Gorham, Me., in September, 1S43. He resided for a time at Peoria, 111., 
and is now (18S3) at Newburyport, Mass. She was an accomplished and 
highly educated woman, and was for a time an assistant teacher with Miss 
Grant and Mary Lyon, at Derry, N. H., in a young ladies' school, which at 
that time was without a superior. 

(67.) James Pettengill (Capt.) wash. Nov. 13, 1775; m. Jan. 
8, 1797, Hannah True. He left Salisbury in 1816, in 
the forty-first year of his age, for the wilds of western 
New York, selling his place to Jonathan Kittredge. He 
had managed, aside from an ample outfit for the new 
home, to scrape together three thousand silver dollars, 
which were carried in saddle-bags so that they might be 



700 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

thrown upon the horses' backs and saved by flight, in 
case of trouble or attack, a thing not improbable in those 
early days. The furniture and other personal effects of 
the family were drawn by four splendid horses. The fam- 
ily rode in an immense carriage constructed especially 
for the purpose of the long journey, and with one or two 
outriders the whole caravan started out of Salisbury one 
beautiful spring morning. No less than eight carriages 
and vehicles filled with friends and neighbors accompan- 
ied this brave little band, departing in such a truly patri- 
archal style, for a whole day's journey. There was dur- 
ing the day much hilarity as well as sadness, many jests 
and many sad words of parting, and at length the last 
good bye. The second morning the Pettengill family 
and young Sewell B. Scribner, who accompanied them 
as a guard, arose betimes and headed resolutely for the 
great west, to reach which one lofty mountain chain had 
to be crossed, and hundreds of unbridged rivers and 
streams forded, and the way picked for hundreds of miles 
through an almost unbroken forest. The Indians were 
still numerous, especially about the small lakes in cen- 
tral New York, but fortunately they were at this partic- 
ular time in a friendly attitude. At length, after a jour- 
ney which was to the boys like one long picnic or hunt- 
ing excursion, strange and wild to the girls, to the moth- 
er a cup of mingled hope and fear, and of heroic enter- 
prise to the brave Captain, one evening in June they 
safely reached their destination, the place now known as 
Ogden, Monroe county, New York, a short half mile 
north of and upon the same street where now stands the 
present Ogden post office. Of the children, Hannah m. 
Nathaniel Rollins. Of her two children, Louise and Ed- 
win, the son survives and still lives in Ogden. His no- 
bleness of character and religious devotedness tells in 
his life the story of his mother's spirit and training. Of 
the boys, Benjamin, the eldest, felt perhaps more severe- 
ly than his younger brothers the heavy hand of manual 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY /OI 

labor; he d. July 30, 1868, leaving an only daughter, 
Mrs. C. C. Buckley, of Leoni, Mich. Reuben m. Claris- 
sa Green, a most devoted, intelligent and faithful woman, 
who still survives him and is spending her declining 
years encircled by the love of her children ; he d. at San 
Jose, Cal., while visiting his children there, Feb. 6, 1883 
aged 82. Reuben had spent the most of his life at the 
old Ogden homestead, and was blessed with si.x children, 
four of whom were daughters. The eldest daughter, 
Rhoda, widow of Roswell P. Wyman, and his eldest son, 
Reuben T., now reside at Tonkus, on the Hudson, N. Y. 
Rhoda is the mother of Charles Dinsmore Wyman, a 
graduate of the University of Chicago and of the Albany 
Law School ; also Vice President of the Belt R. R. of 
N. Y. and a member of the executive committee of the 
American Railway Association. Reuben T. has always 
been identified with the Sunday school interests of the 
Baptist church. His children are all daughters but one, 
Reuben Wilson ; he and Louis, the young son of James 
Pettengill, of San Jose, are the only descendants of Capt. 
James who bear the Pettengill name. Ro.xana, the wife 
of George Bull, of San Francisco, is the mother of three 
promising sons, Arthur and Jerome being in the agricul- 
tural implement business with their father in San Fran- 
cisco, and her daughter is the wife of the Rev. T. G. 
McRune, pastor of the Baptist church there. Susan, the 
widow of Horatio Webster, resides at Medina, N. Y. 
Moses, who was the most intelligent and scholarly of the 
family, married twice and both times happily. He spent 
the most active portion of his life at Niles, Michigan, 
but finally, like his brother Reuben, he sought the genial 
climate of California, at Auburn, where he d. Feb. 3, 
1884. What he saw in his extended and frequent jour- 
neys he wrote up for the press, and his articles were read 
with profit and pleasure. Moses was as tolerant in spirit 
and genial in manner as he was thoughtful and cultiva- 
ted. He left a widow and two married daughters, Mrs. 



702 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Coolidge, of Niles, Michigan, and Mrs. Hoppin, of Wood- 
land, Cal, both of whom are very lovely and accom- 
plished women. James Osgood Pettengill resides at 
Rochester, N. Y. He was first married at the early age 
of twenty to Emeline Woodbury, a dau. of Manley G. 
Woodbury, one of the earliest aldermen of Rochester. 
She d. April ii, 1850. Married (2) Mrs. Harriet B., 
widow of Dr. George C. Howard, who d. Oct. 13, 1882. 
Mr. Pettengill is a man of much tact, coupled with force 
and executive ability. Eminently thrifty and practical, 
careful of reputation and example, always sympathetic, 
he is admirably fitted for helping others, without unduly 
neglecting his own interests. While with these charac- 
teristics he has been exceedingly prosperous in all his 
ventures he has been at the same time public spirited 
and interested in many public affairs. During his earlier 
years he served often as highway commissioner, also as 
school commissioner, and was a magistrate and supervis- 
or. In 1 85*3 he became a member of the legislature, and 
at once took rank as a sensible and extremely practical 
lawmaker. In 1863 he retired from business and became 
interested in the founding and management of the Roch- 
ester Theological Seminary, which he has since devoted- 
ly served with his usual force and determination. Al- 
ways a trustee of this institution, he was for sixteen or 
eighteen years chairman of the executive board which, 
between the infrequent meetings of the whole board, is 
charged with the management of its affairs. The chair 
of Church History in this institution bears his name, in 
appreciation of donations made for the benefit of the 
seminary. For many years he has been a deacon of the 
first Baptist church, of Rochester. By his first marriage 
he had three daughters : Martha, the youngest, died in 
childhood ; the second, Mary, died in Havana, Cuba, at 
the age of thirty-three, whither she had repaired for her 
health, having been three times married. Sarah, the 
eldest and only surviving daughter, is the wife of Hon. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 703 

G. Hilton Scribner, formerly Secretary of State of the 
State of New York, who resides at Inglehurst, Vonkers, 
N. Y., on the Hudson. Mr. Scribner is the youngest 
son of Sewell B. Scribner, who accompanied the Petten- 
gills to western New York. By this union Mrs. Scrib- 
ner is the mother of six children now living. 

85. Benjamin, b. Dec. 13, 179S. 86. Reuben, b. May 3. 1801. ( See sketch.) 

87. Rhoda W., b. Feb. 12, 1803. 8S. Hannah O., b. Nov. 10, 1S04. 

89. Moses, b. May 22, 1S08. 

90. James Osgood, usually called by his last name, b. .Vpril 17, iSio. (See fore- 

going sketch.) 

(68.) Thomas Hale, Esq., (see lawyers) ; m. Jan. 17, Alphia 
Morse, of Canton, Vt., who was b. April 6, 1786, and d. 
at Portland, Me., Nov. 10, 1861. 

91.^. Franklin, b. Oct. iS, 1810; m. Nov. 2S, 1833, Mary Eaton, of Pittsfield. He 
resides at Andover, where she d. May 11, 1884. 

92. Ellen M., b. Jan. 9, 1814; m. Aug. 6, 1834, Dr. Warren E. Chase, of Portland. 

Me., where she d. May 6, 1879. Children: i. Warren, it. Hale, in. 
Charles, all wealthy citizens of that city. 

93. Catharine Corbit, b. June 9, 1S19; m. in August, 1841, Rev. John Burden, at 

that time pastor of the Baptist church at Salisbury. Children : i. John 
H., b. in Salisbury, March 20, 1845. 

94. Melvina, b. Feb. 8, 1822; d. Nov. 21, 1831. 

95. Clara, b. Nov. 27, 1S32; d. Dec. 19, 1832. 

(72.) Benjamin, A. M., graduated at Middlebury College in 
18 1 2. Not caring for a profession he purchased the 
Reuben True Farm, made extensive alterations in the 
buildings and established the tavern for so many years 
popularly known as the "Bell Tavern," afterwards the 
"Travelers Home," now owned and occupied as a dwel- 
ling by Mr. Moses C. Webster. He was a merchant in 
the Jonathan P. Webster store, and had a large potash 
establishment ; afterwards kept tavern and then went to 
the present John C. Carter farm. Removing over the 
Blackwater he built the Ernest C. Currier buildings, 
then went back to the tavern, again to the Carter place, 
and about 1840 returned to the Currier farm, from which 
he permanently located in the brick mansion at Centre 



704 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

road during the fall of 1853. The date of his death is 
not known. "Squire Benjamin," as he was familiarly 
called from his having been a justice of the peace and 
from his knowledge of law matters, was often consulted 
in questions involving litigation and settled many estates. 
He was one of our most prominent citizens, considerable 
of a politician of the republican stamp, and took an ac- 
tive part in the questions of the day ; but the only public 
office he could be induced to accept was a seat in the 
house of representatives for 1835-36-37. To this office 
he was elected by a large vote, notwithstanding his party 
was in the minority. Those were stormy sessions, and 
he was usually engaged in controversies with Atherton, 
of Nashua, Hon. George VV. Morrison, of Manchester, 
Edwards, of Keene, and occasionally with Jonathan Kit- 
tredge and "Jim " Wilson. He was a strong anti-slavery 
man. He m. Betsey, dau. of Lieut. David Pettengill, 
(see) who d. at the home of her son, Hon. J. W. Petten- 
gill, at Maiden, Mass., April 27, 1883. 

96. Augustus C, b. Nov. 22, 1817. (See.) 

97. David Milton, b. Nov. 12, 1819 ; he became a merchant at Charlestown, Mass., 

and on the breaking out of the California fever he started for that country 
and was taken sick and d. at Panama, May 8, 1849; m. (i) Feb. 3, 1846, 
Miranda P. Rice, who was b. .Sept. 17, 1820, and d. — ; m. {2) — Merrill,, 
of North Reading, Mass. Children: i. Bessie M., b. Dec. 6, 1846; m. 
Charles H. Ring who d. in Boston, Mass , in 18S7. II. Vesta Ann, b. May 
5, 1S4S; m. in October, 1869, John Gardner. She d. Nov. 3, 1S70. 

98. Benjamin Hale, b. Jan. 16, 1824; resided here for a time' 
became a merchant at Salem then went to Charleston 
and with his brother, David M., started for California. 
After his return he 'became city marshal of Charlestown, 
and after holding various offices of trust in that city he 
removed to Pine Bind, Minn., where he is extensively 
engaged in farming. He m. May 2, 1850, Joanna Mat- 
thews. Children, all b. in Salisbury: i. Benjamin F. 
H., b. Feb. 27, 1851 ; d. Dec. 14, 1857. 11. Mary H., b. 
Oct. 6, 1852. III. Mehitable, b. Jan. 31, 1855. iv. Ben- 
jamin H., b. May 4, 1857. v. John W., b. April 13, 1859. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 705 

99. John Ward, (Hon.) was b. Nov. 12, 1835, prepared for col- 
lege under Dyer H. Sanborn, at Hopkinton Academy, 
and entered the sophomore class at Dartmouth College, 
in 1852. Concluding not to finish a collegiate course he 
began the study of law under Hon. Asa Fowler, at Con- 
cord. From a close application to study his health 
failed and he went into a store in that city in 1854. . Re- 
turned to his home in 1857, where under the influence of 
the mountain air he rapidly recovered. He went to 
Charlestown, Mass., in the spring of 1858, and renewed 
his law studies under Hon. J. O. A. Griffin, a graduate 
of Amherst and an eminent lawyer. During the April 
term of court in 1859 he passed a rigid written examina- 
tion of three days, by Hon. Geo. P. Sawyer, U. S. Dis- 
trict Attorney, who afterwards said, " He passed the 
best examination I ever saw." Mr. Griffin desired his 
former student to remain with him, but Mr. Pettengill 
desired to be wholly independent and hung out his sign 
at Charlestown, where for six months he did not have a 
client. Then Dame Fortune brought him a hard case, 
with which he was successful, since which his rise has 
been rapid. In April, 1874, he removed to Washington 
street, Boston, where he continues, with his residence at" 
Maiden. While a lawyer at Charlestown he was for three 
years city solicitor, and lost but three cases. Under the 
administration of Gov. Talbot, he was made Judge of the 
District Court, having jurisdiction over nine towns, hold- 
ing court at Maiden and Wakefield twice a week, and was 
in addition associate judge at the Charlestown police 
court. He m. (r) April 25, 1866, Margaret W., dau. of 
John R. and Mary D. Demeritt' b. Oct. 20, 1843, ^^''^^ d. 
Sept. 29, 1869; m. (2) Emma M. Tilton, who was b. at 
Greenland, N. H. ; m. (3) May 31, 1871, Mary Demeritt, 
sister of his first wife ; d. March 7, 1872 ; m. (4) — The 
children by his first wife were : i. Margaret B., b. Sept. 
21, 1867. By 3d wife he had John Tilton, b. April 4, 1874. 

45 



706 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(91.) Augustus Chesterfield resides on the Nathaniel Meloon 
farm, where he has accumulated considerable property. 
He m. (i) Jan, 27, 1848, Eliza A. Shaw, who d. Sept. 20, 
1868; (?) m. (2) April 12, 1869. widow Moses Moody. 

100. Benjamin, b. Feb. 2S, 1S49; m. Nov. 13, 187 1, Mary Eila Stone, of Webster. 

Children: i. Freddie H., b. Dec. iS, 1875. 
loi. Betsey, b. Jan. 8, 1853; m. Sept. 8, 1S74. James H. Whitaker, of Maiden, 

Mass., an extensive ship owner and merchant. 

102. Carrie V., b. Sept. 28, 1855; m. March 26, 1S7S, Ernest C. Currier. 

103. John D., b. Sept. 14, 1859. 



THE PHILBRICK FAMILY. 

Jonathan removed here from Deerfield, then removed to 
"Vermont and died. Children : 

I. James, d. at Wilmot. 2. Polly (Mary) m. — 

3. John, m. Aug. 2, 1798, Nancy Challis and removed to Corinth, Vt., in 1820; (.'') 

d. at Sanbornton. Children: I. Betsey. 11. Nancy, m. — Durgin, of San- 
bornton. ill. Carterette, m. Job W. Farnum. iv. Mary, m. — v. James, 
m. Lydia Philbrick. VI. William, m. — 

4. Benjamin, d. at Wilmot. 

c;. Stephen, m. April 6, 1S07, Lydia, dau. of Cutting Stevens; removed to Cor . 

inth, Vt., in 1S20. (?) 
6. Ebenezer. ( See.) 7. Sally, removed to Corinth, Vt. 

8. Daniel, removed to Corinth, Vt. 

(6.) Ebenezer, b. at Deerfield, Oct. 6, 1779; he built the red 
house at the west end of the north rangeway, where he d. 
Nov. 26, 1832; m. Dec. 27, 1808, Mary C. Carter, of 
Canterbury, where she was b. June 30, 1779, and d. Feb. 
13, 1868. 

9. Abigail C, b. March 12, iSio; m. July 10, 1S34, Amos P. Stevens ; she d. Feb. 

22, 1864: he d. at Wilmot, March 12, 1S82. 
ID. Mary E., b. April 12, 1814; m. April 22, 1845, David Farnum ; he d. March 31, 

1872. 
II. Martha, b. Oct. 24, 1819; d. Sept. 12, 1825. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 707 

THE PINGREY FAMILY. 

FOUR BRANCHES. 

Aaron and Moses came from near London, England, and set- 
tled at Ipswich, Mass., prior to 1641. Hon. William M. Pin- 
grey, who has recently published a very extensive and exhaust- 
ive genealogy of the family, says: "Five generations had 
passed away before any attempt was made to trace the family 
history and lineage. * * * Our early ancestors were men 
■of character, standing and influence, industrious and frugal, 
and able to sustain themselves and rear their families for use- 
fulness. The same characteristics have to a great extent 
marked their posterity. * * * Trained as most of them 
have been to habits of industry, frugality and uprightness, de- 
scended from puritan ancestry and embracing much of their 
strictness, they have been law-abiding and ready to contribute 
much of their property and influence to promote the general 
welfare." Moses married Abigail, daughter of Robert Clement, 
and of his children was Aaron, (ii) who married Ann Picard, of 
Rowley, to which place he removed in 1696; had Aaron, (iii) 
who married in 1707, Elizabeth Pearson, of Rowley ; had Steph- 
en, (iv) b. Jan. 26, 1712; he married (i) Jane Jewett ; married 
(2) Ann Jewett. The first bearing this name who resided in 
Salisbury was William, son of John and Elizabeth (Jewett) 
Pingrey, who was born at Rowley, Sept. 25, 1757; removed to 
Salisbury and m. Elizabeth, sister of James Garland, (see) ; re- 
moved to Bridgewater and died Dec. 14, 1S02. 

2. John, b. in Salisbury, Dec. 30, 17S;;; crushed to death at liridgewater, Dec. 

14, 1S02. 

3. Betsey, b. at Bridgewater, Feb. 20, 17S2. 

SECOND BRANCH. 

4. Aquilla, son of Stephen (iv) and Ann (Jewett) Pingrey, was 
b. at Rowley, July 30, 1761. July i, 1781, he was a res- 
ident of Salisbury, at which time he purchased for jC^o 



708 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

one hundred acres of land. He settled near Punch brook 
on the road leading to Shaw's corner, his house being 
the first after leaving the river road. By occupation he 
was a clothier, pursuing that business on the above 
brook. He m. in 1783, Hannah, dau. of Abel Morrill, 
(see) who d. July 2, 1790; m. (2) Jan. 21, 1794, Polly 
True, who d. Nov. 24, 1796, aged 20; m. {3) Dec. 10^ 
1797, Dorothy Page, of Andover. In 1814 Mr. Pingrey 
sold out to his son-in-law, Solomon Pingrey, removed to 
Danbury and d. in 1845 ; she d. in 1844. Capt. Aquilla 
was a pleasant, social man, honest in all his dealings, 
and fond of engaging in the athletic sports of the day, 
in which he excelled all competitors. Children by his 
first wife : 

5. Hannah, b. Jan. 28, 17S6; m. April i, 1S19, Timothy Abbott, of Andover, Me., 

where she d. in March, 1S70. 

6. Sarah, b. March 28, 1788; m. in Nov., 1806, Samuel Dunlap, (see.) Died 

May 12, 1877. 

7. Lydia, b. Dec. 12, 1790; m. Solomon Pingrey, (see.) 

Children by third wife : 

8. True, b. Dec. 29, 1798; m. Hannah Flavor, of Danbury ; resides at Omro, Wis. 

9. Osgood, b. Oct. 20, iSoo; m. in 1822, widow Abigail ( Barker ) True ; removed 

to Smyrna, Me., where he ranked as an important citizen. 

10. Mary, b. Aug. 28, 1802 ; m. in 1822, Jonathan Favor, Jr., of Danbury. 



THIRD BRANCH. 

11. Solomon, (vi) son of Thomas (v) and Molly (Burnham) 

Pingrey ; Stephen (iv), Aaron (iii), Aaron (ii), and Moses 
(i). He was b. in 1788, purchased the property of his- 
father-in-law, (Aquilla Pingrey,) and conducted the busi- 
ness until his death, Aug. 5, 1820. She m. (2) Lemuel 
Kenniston, by whom she had two sons, Abel and Charles. 

12. Mary A., b. in 181 5; d. April 8, 1844. 

13. Susan, b. Jan. 7, 1S17 ; d. June 17, 1S17. 

14. Susan, b. in 1818; d. Oct. 10, 1832. 

15. Solomon Morrill, b. Nov. 12, 1820. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 

1840; d. Oct. 20, 1840. He was a Congregationalist and intended to enter' 
the ministry. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 7OQ 

FOURTH BRANCH. 

16. William Pingrey, brother of Aquilla, (iv) was b. at Rowley, 
March 15, 1771, and removed to Salisbury in November,' 
1783, to live with his brother and learn the clothier's 
trade. In 1793 he removed to Blackwater river and 
built a house on the site lately occupied by Mr. John F. 
Huntoon. In 1802 he built the house at the top of the 
hill, where he d. Jan. 24, 1846. His first mill was on 
the west side of the river, but he afterwards built a ful- 
ling- and carding mill on the east side, where for those 
times he did a large business. About 1810 he built a 
sawmill, some hundred rods south of Mr. David S. 
Prince's mill, which was carried away during the August 
freshet of 1826. June 27, 1829, he was appointed a^us- 
tice of the peace, which office he held through life, and 
was often consulted by his townsmen in their difficulties. 
Being a man of sound judgment, industry and frugality, 
he acquired a competency. He m. (i) Mary Morrill, a 
sister of Aquilla's first wife, who d. Sept. 22, 1825 ; m. 
(2) March 6, 1827, widow Lydia (Nelson) Cram ; d June 
5, 1858, aged 82. 

«7- I'olly, b. Sept. 6, 1791 ; m. in 1S09, Dr. Ariel Hunton. ( as lie spelled it ) b. at 
Unity. He read medicine with Drs. Long, of Warner, and Harvard of 
Springfield ; received the degree of M. D., from the Dartmouth Medical 
School, m 1S47. He practiced medicine for forty-three years, thirty-nine 
of which were spent at Hyde Park, where he d. Nov. 25, 1S57, aged 6S. 
Dr. Hunton made Salisbury his home until after 1S13. Polly d at the 
home of her son-in-law, Rev. S. A. Parker, at Bethel, Vt., April 29, 1S74 
Children: i. Parmetas, b. in Salisbury, Nov. 30. 1S09; studied law and 
was admitted to the bar of Lamoille Co., Vt., at Hvde Park, in 1837- m 
Louisa Parsons, of Randolph. Vt., in May, 183S; he d. at Charleston, S. 
C, Aug. 4, 1839. II. Sylvanus. b. in Salisbury, June 2. iSii ; m. Sept. 5, 
1841, Clarissa M. Bailey, of Unity; he studied medicine and graduated at 
Castleton ( Vt.) .Medical College, in 1S36. but did not practice; he d. at 
C arrollton, Ga., Feb. 25, 1847. m. Eudosia, b. in Salisbury, May i, 1813- 
d. at Hyde Park, Vt., Aug. 3, ,844. unm. iv. Augustus P., b. at Grafton.' 
Feb 23, 1816; m. April 29, 1S49, Caroline, dau. of Dr. Alfred Page, of 
Bethel, Vt. For a more extended notice of Hon. A. P. Hunton see " Pin- 
grey Family Genealogy." p. 45. v. Tryphena R., b. at Hyde Park. Vt 
/an. 20. 1827; d. Nov. 11, 1S43. vi. William P.. b. at Hyde Park. Nov.' 



710 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

24, 1832; d. Feb. 22, 1856. VII. Mary A., b. at Hyde Park, Nov. 24, 1832, 
m. Rev. Sylvester A. Parker and resides at Bethel, Vt. She is distin- 
guished both as a writer of prose and poetry and has also interested herself 
in historical matters. 
18. Stephen, b. April 7, 1785. ( See.) ig. Ruth, b. Jan. i, 1799; d. Dec. 8, 1S07. 

20. William Morrill, (Hon.) A. M., was b. May 28, 1806; m. 
(i) May 26, 1836, Lucy G., dau. of Enos and Hannah 
(Griswold) Brown, who was b. at Springfield, Vt., Nov. 
20, 1815, and d. Aug. 23, 1865; m. (2) Feb. 12, 1868, 
Mrs. Lucy C. Richardson, dau. of Capt. Jesse and Har- 
riet (Wait) Carpenter, who was b. at Waitsfield, Vt., 
Feb. 28, 1822. Judge Pingrey received a good common 
school education, finishing at Salisbury Academy, and 
taught school at North road. In 1826 he was made a 
captain in the militia and promoted to major in 1830. He 
studied law with Samuel I. Wells, Esq., at South road, 
from March, 1828, to October, 1830, and then with Shaw 
& Chandler, at Danville, Vt. Was admitted to the bar 
of Caledonia county, at the June term, 1832. Com- 
menced practice at Waitsfield, Vt., in July, after having 
been admitted to the bar, remaining nearly nine years, 
when he removed to Springfield and then to Perkinsville, 
Vt., where he remained, except from November, 1854, to 
August, 1857, when he was cashier of the White River 
Bank, at Bethel. While at Waitsfield he held the offices 
of town clerk, treasurer, selectmen, county surveyor, etc. 
While at Perkinsville he was a member of the constitu- 
tional convention in 1850; county commissioner and 
state auditor from 1853 to i860; represented Weathers- 
field in the legislature in i860, 1861 and 1868, and Wind- 
sor County in the senate in 1869-70-71. At present 
(1882) he is assistant judge of Windsor county court. 
In i860 he received the degree of A. M. from Dartmouth 
College. For forty-one years he was a deacon of the 
Baptist church and for thirty-three years superintendent 
of the Sunday school. In 1830 he was moderator of the 
March meeting in Salisbury, getting the business com- 





^ JJL-fi 



ntl 



21. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY /I I 

pleted on the first clay, an unusual event. He d. at Per- 
kinsville, Vt., May i, 1885, aged yS. Rev. \V. H. Rugg, 
of Perkinsville, paid the following tribute to the memory 
of Judge Pingrey : " His careful and accurate judgment, 
his love of justice, and his remarkably tenacious mem- 
ory, which held in its grasp minute details concerning 
persons, places and events, singularly qualified him to be 
a servant of the public and a reliable source of informa- 
tion on many and various matters of public and private 
interest. He loved peace, often counselling would-be 
litigants to settle their difficulties instead of carrying 
them into court. His religious life was not the fruit of 
impulse or strong emotion, but of profound conviction 
based on the teachings of the Bible. In his relations to 
others, official as well as private, he was courteous in his 
bearing, a true gentleman of the old school." 

Ruth M., b. Jan. 31, 1810; m. (i) Aug. 5, 1S28, John C. Foster, of Haverhill, 
Mass. He d. at Pittsburg, Pa., April 12, 1835. Three children blessed 
their union, all dead. She m. (2) Nov. 12, 1839, John 1'.. Dunlap. ( See ) 

(18.) Stephen was b. at the foot of the hill. After his father 
moved to the top of the hill he tore down the old house 
and built the present dwelling, where he d. Feb. 6, 1870. 
He carried on his father's business until larger mills 
were built which manufactured cloth cheaper, when the 
mill was taken down. He then engaged in lumbering 
and farming, and at the time of his decease owned some 
seven hundred acres of land. Esquire Pingrey was for 
many years a justice of the peace and in that line tran- 
sacted much business. He was a man of great energy 
and industry, independent in opinions and not afraid to 
express them. Among his townsmen he e.xerted great 
influence. Possessed of a most retentive memory, in his 
death the historian lost much "traditional" information. 
He m. (i) July 21, 18 17, Polly, dau. of Moses Morse, of 
Salisbury, who d. Jan. 29, 1820; m. (2) Dec. 18, 1820, 
Judith, dau. of Deacon Benjamin True, who d. Oct. 3, 



712 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

1855; m. (3) June 28, 1858, Lucy, dau. of Oren Hub- 
bard, of West Lebanon. Children by first wife : 

22. Roxana, b. July lo, i8iS; m. (i) Nov. i, 1S36, David C. Dunlap, who d. Sept 

19, 1S3S; m. (2) July 21, 1840, Iddo S. lirown, of Wilmot; she d. Jan. 11, 
1856. 

23. Mary M., b. Jan. 18, 1S20 ; m. Nov. 18, 1841, Col. Moses Sanborn. ( See.) 

Children by second wife : 

24. Julia A., b. Dec. 20, 1821 ; m. Oct. 17, 1844, George W. Dudley. 

25. Rhoda T., b. May 21, 1823; d. Feb. 21, 1838. 

26. Alpheus, b. Jan. 26, 1825; d. Feb. 16, 183S. 

27. Lydia, b. Dec. 23, 1826; d. Oct. 6, 1848. 

2S. Benjamin T., b. Nov. 11, 1828; d. July 4, 1S76. 

29. William, b. Nov. 2, 1830; m. Nov. 20, 1856, Mary, dau. of 

Calvin and Betsey Barnes, of Belvidere, 111. For twenty- 
nine years he was general ticket agent for the Northwest- 
ern R. R., at Chicago, 111., and is universally esteemed 
for his manliness, courtesy and general business capacity. 
On account of failing health he removed to Los Angeles, 
Cal., in November, 1882. 

30. Samuel Everett, (Col.) A. M., was b. Aug. 2, 1832; m. 

Sept. 15, 1869, Lydia M. Steele, of Newport, Vt. Grad- 
uated at Dartmouth College in 1857; studied law with 
Hon. A. P. Hunton, at Bethel, Vt., was admitted to the 
bar of Windsor county, in December, 1859, ^^^ com- 
menced practice at Hartford, Vt. Enlisted in the U. S. 
service in 1861 and was severely wounded at Lee's Mills ; 
was promoted to Lieut. Col. Jan. 15, 1863. Returning 
home with his regiment, as Colonel, after three years of 
service, he was mustered out July 27, 1864. He has 
been president of the "Officers' Re-union Association" 
of Vermont, and in 1869 delivered the annual address. 
He continues in active practice at Hartford, where, by 
his integrity and attention to business, he has a large 
and lucrative practice. He has been state attorney for 
his county two terms and also town clerk. 

31. Stephen Morse, (Col.) was b. March 21, 1835 ; m. Nov. 19, 

1S65, Mary Foster, of Bethel. Read law with Hon. A. 



714 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

5. John S., (Col.) b. at Sandown, April 9, 1S97. Col. Pressey, as he was famil- 

iarly called, remained on the farm, where he d. March 16, 1881 ; m. (i) 
May 21, 1835, Rhoda, dau. of Isaac Stevens, (see) who d. April 6, 1848 T 
m. (2) Oct. 19, 1848, Roxana St. Clair, who. d. April 4, 1851, leaving one 
child, which d. young; m. (3) Nov. 29, 1855, I-ydia M., dau. of Green 
Greeley, of Andover, where she was b. in 1827. 

6. Amanda A., b. Aug. 2, 1836; m. John S. Heath. 

7. Harriet J., b. July 2, 1838. 

8. Daniel A., b. Nov. 9, 1S43; d. Nov. 22, 1865, unm. 

9. Maria F., b. May 29, 1840; d. Aug. 6, 1843. 

ID. John S., b. Feb. 19, 1S46; resides at Silver City, Nevada. 
II. George H., b. Feb. 16, 1857. 12. Mary F., b. Sept. 26, 1865. 



THE PROCTOR FAMILY. 



THREE BRANCHES. 

John Proctor, with his wife Miriah and two children, sailed 
from London, England, April 12, 1685, settling at Ipswich, 
(now Essex) Mass. He was born in 1593. The generations 
in lineal descent from this ancestor to Thorndike Proctor, who 
settled at Salisbury, are: John, (i) John, (2) Thorndike, (3) 
Jonathan, (4) Thorndike, (5.) He was a sea-captain and resid- 
ed at South Danvers, now Peabody, Mass. He married, Jan. 
24, 1 77 1, Sarah Osborn and had : 

6. Thorndike, b. Aug. 17, 1772. ( See.) 7. Sarah, b. Oct. 29, 1775. 
S. Susan, b. in June, 1777. 9. Benjamin C, b. July 25, 1778, and d. young. 
ID. Benjamin, b. June 9, 17S1. ii. Joseph, b. in August, 1786. 

(6.) Thorndike, the sixth in line of descent from the ancestor, 
removed to Salisbury from Salem, Mass., settling on 
what is known as the Samuel Scribner farm, where he d. 
from paralysis July 18, 1830, his heiFS selling out to Mr. 
Hoit. He m. Hannah Wells, who d. Jan. 25, 1851, at 
the age of y8. 

12. Thorndike, b. Sept, 23, 1802. ( See.) 

13. Benjamin, b. Dec 4, 1804; d. Nov. 3, 1S13. 

14. William, b. May 9, 1807. Read medicine with Dr. Joseph 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY /1 5- 

Bartlett, attended lectures at Dartmouth Medical School, 
from which he graduated in 1833, and began practice at 
Hill. Removed to Pittsfield, where he d. April 23, 1861. 
He was a faithful and conscientious physician, and was 
much respected. He m. Feb. 22, 1842, Mary, dau. of 
Isaac Hale, of Franklin, (see.) She d. Dec. 5, 1875. 

15. Jonathan, b. Nov. 6, iSii. He was a cabinet maker by trade and removed to 

Maine in 1S35, where he became a ship carpenter ; resides at Topsham, Me. 

16. Sally A. M., b. Feb. 22, 1816; d. Jan. 10, 1S23. 

(12.) Thorndike enlisted in the state militia, Sept. 12, 1827, 
and was Captain of the 2d Co., 21st Regt. of Infantry, 
resigning March 24, 1828. He was a carpenter by trade 
and resided for a time on the True George farm ; re- 
moved to Penacook, where he d. April 4, 1864; m. in 
April, 1833, Mary Ann Willey, of Gilford, who resides- 
in Penacook. 

17. Charles H., b. in Andover, June 22, 1743; resides at Penacook. 

18. Lafayette, b. May 7, 1845; d. Aug. 23, 1S69. 

19. Sarah E., b. May 7, 1S47 ; d. June 13, 187S. 

[The compiler is under obligations to Frank W. Proctor, for 
the ancestry of this branch of the family.] 

SECOND BRANCH. 

20. Isaac Proctor was b. at Townsend, Mass., Feb. 3, 1784. 

Learning the trade of a cooper, he came here through 
the efforts of Ebenezer Eastman, who employed him at 
his trade. He m. Nov. 27, 1886, Hannah Nutter, of Gil- 
manton, where she was b. Jan. 10, 1782. After this he 
left town for a time. Returning in 1708, he built the 
house now occupied by his son William's widow, Mrs. S. 
H. Proctor. He d. at Franklin, Dec. 10, 1856; shed, at 
the same place, Dec. 12, 1848. 

21. Mary S., b. Dec. 18, 1S07; d. July i, 1.S60, unm. 

22. William, b. March 17, 1810; m. 1846, Sally II. Cilley, of .\ndovcr. He- 

remained on the place and d. Dec. 17, 1866. 

23. Mary J., b. Feb. 17, 1819; d. Oct. 7, 1S39, unm. 



7l6 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



THIRD BRANCH. 

James Proctor, b. at Kingston, Sept. 13, 1777, removed to Uni- 
ty, where he m. Nabby Ladcl, who was b. at Unity, Sept. 
10, 1784, and d. at Northwood, June 17, 1873. They 
removed to Claremont, thence to Andover, and then to 
that part of Salisbury now Franklin, his shop standing 
on the bank of Webster lake brook, just north of Mrs. 
Dudley Ladd's. He was a manufacturer of scythes, axes, 
and edge tools of all descriptions, and sustained a good 
reputation. He d. Feb. i, 1847. 

24. Hial, b. at Unity, Feb. 22, 1S05. 

25. James H., b. at Claremont, Nov. 23, 1S06; d. at Lowell, Mass., Nov. 20, 1S67 ; 

m. Eliza Brown. 

26. Hiram, b. at Andover, Sept. 21, 1S08; d. at Lowell, Mass., Nov. 25, 1S76. 

27. Milton, b. at Salisbury, Sept. 21, iSii ; resides at Manchester. 

28. Clarissa, b. Dec. 5, 1813; drowned June 15, 1815. 

29. Clarissa, ( Clara) b. Feb. 8, 1816; m. Sept. 2, 1840, Hon. Asa P. Cate, a noted 

lawyer in that part of Sanbornton now Tilton, with a residence at North- 
field, where he d. Dec. 12, 1874. 

30. Abigail A., b. Aug. 12, 1818; m. Clarence Proctor, of Andover. 
51. Alma, b. May 16, 1820; drowned June 23, 1822. 

32. Martha A., b. Aug. 21, 1822. 

33. Mary F., b. Sept. lo", 1824; d. at Tilton, Feb. 18, 1865. 

34. Lydia J., b. Sept. 24, 1827; m. Sept. 9, 1851, Hon. John F. Taylor, a merchant 

at Tilton. He d. in November, 1887. 



THE OUIMBY FAMILY. 

I. Edward built the second house at Shaw's corner, in 1795. 
Two years later he built a large two-story frame house, painted 
yellow, afterwards occupied by Benjamin Shaw, which was 
destroyed by fire in 1875. He was the first blacksmith at 
the "Corner," where he did a large business, shoeing, and mak- 
ing everything, from a nail to a plowshare. He was b. at Brent- 
wood ; d. Feb. 24, 1830; m. Sarah — , who d. Sept. 2, 1849, 
aged 82. 



GENEALOGY AND I5I0GKAPHY 'J\J 

2. Moses, d. Sept. 20, 1792. 3. Betsey, m. Benjamin Garland. (See.) 

4. Samuel, b. April 10, 17S9. (See.) 

5. Abel, m. Mary Morrill, at Bangor, Mc. He was a teacher by occuijation and 

d. at Orange, N. J. 

6. Susan, m. Levi Frazier and settled in Danbury. 7. Polly, d. unm. 
S. Abigail, m. David Pettengill ; d. April 25, 1S30. 

9. Hannah, m. Jan. 21, 1S17, David Pettengill. He m. (2) Abigail, (S). 

(4.) Samuel removed here with his parents in 181 5, and built 
a house a few rods east from the homestead ; removed 
to Franklin village and d. aged 89. He was by trade a 
blacksmith, working with his father, and was in all his 
dealings an upright and honorable citizen. He. m. Dec. 
28, 1 81 5, Hannah Whittemore. 

10. Maria, b. Jan. 21, 1S17; d. June 14, 1S34, unm. 

11. Samuel D., b. Sept. S, 1S19; m. (i) May 14, 18 — , Octavia O. Guildford; m. 

(2) May 14, 1S44, — Guildford; he d. at Winchester, Mass., Aug. i, 1864; 
had one son, Lerome S., b. Feb. 15, 1S47. 

12. Hannah F., b. June i, 1S22; m. July 30, 1845, Moses S. Morse and resided at 

Franklin ; she d. Sept. 22, 1SS2. 

13. Alfred W., b. Feb. 15, 1S25; m. Edna J. Sargent, of Canterbury ; resides at 

Winchester, Mass. 

14. Frederick R., b. Aug. 27, 1S27 ; m. Nov. 24, 18 — , Sarah E. Reed, of Franklin, 

where she resides; he d. Feb. 3, 1S66. 

Salisbury had a number of families bearing the name of 
Ouimby, but I have been unable to obtain further information 
concernins: them. 



THE ROBERTSON FA^^LY. 

I. John Robertson and six other children accompanied the 
parents from Scotland and settled at Plymouth, Mass. His 
son John (2) was a drummer boy at the battle of Bunker Hill. 
He settled at Bow, as keeper of the ferry in that town, which 
bore the name of Robertson's Ferry. In 1809 he was carried 
over Garvin's falls and drowned, leaving a widow and four 
daughters, one of whom, Rebecca, m. June 17, 1821, Ebenezer, 
youngest brother of Kendall I'eabody. Ebenezer removed to 



7l8 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Salisbury in 1819, carrying on the blacksmithing business. 
After the death of John Robertson he purchased the latter's 
house and had a shop opposite. Children : i. Louisa O., b. 
Feb. 13, 1822; m. — Fellows and resides in Janesville, Wis. 
II. Caroline B., b. Feb. 11, 1824; d. May 2, 1832. in. George, 
b. Sept. 3, 1826 ; d. July 5, 1867. iv. Horace, b. Dec. 23, 1828 ; 
resides at Franklin, v. Jennette, b. March 14, 1830; d. Nov. 
22, 1858. VI. Andrew J., b. Aug. 13, 1835 ; d. June 26, 1874. 
VII. Betsey, b. Dec. 23, 1836; d. Feb. 13, 1856. viii. Mary T., 
b. Feb. 16, 1842 ; m. William S. Wheeler and resides at Frank- 
lin. IX. Sarah A., b. Jan. 3, 1844; d. Nov. 25, 1863. Osgood 
C, b. July 29, 1846; d. April 15, 1867. Mehitable, the eldest, 
m. James Emerson, of Concord. Sally m. Joseph Butterfield, 
of Goffstown. Margaret m. Daniel Berry, of Greenland, and is 
now (1886) the only survivor. The boys were Ezekiel, who 
sestled in New York; James d. at Plattsburg, N. Y., in 181 2; 
Ebenezer d. in New York ; Giles d, in Wisconsin ; the other 
lived at Manchester. These, with the above-named John, com- 
prised the family of ten children. 

John, (3) John, (2) John, (i) learned the tailoring business at 
Boston, removing to Salisbury 18 16- 17, and settled at 
what is now Franklin, living in the Joseph Brown house. 
He then kept the toll gate at Republican bridge, built 
an addition to the west end of the house, and did a gen- 
eral country trade for seven years, after which he went 
into business with Thomas Greenleaf, at the top of the 
hill. In the great freshet of 1824, which carried away 
the bridge, he was left on the Sanbornton side, and 
crossed the river by leaping from one cake of ice to an- 
other. When near the Salisbury shore he fell into the 
water but safely reached the land. From the effects of 
this bath he got a severe cold and d. Feb. 2, 1825. He 
m. Susan, dau. of William Fifield, (see.) After his death 
she m. in 1849 Jeremiah Sanborn ; she d. in 1869. 

2. John W., a machinist at Piermont, N. Y., d. March 31, 1S55 ; m. .Vug. 15^ 

1836, Martha J. Huntoon ; she d. at Salisbury. 

3. William. 4. Susan, both d. young. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 719 

Alice, b. July 27, 1S21 ; m. (i) Dec. 5, 1S39, Freeman Hammond; he d. Aug. 
5, 1850; she m. (2) March 8, 1855, *--o'- Stephen Gerrish, of Xorthfield; 
resides at Franklin, where he is in the livery stable business. 



THE ROBINSON FAMILY. 

TWO BRANCHES. 

I. George Robinson, Sr., was a landowner in 1641, in what 
was then known by the Indian name of Waseuiawassett. This 
was four years before its adoption into the jurisdiction of the 
Plymouth colony and incorporation as the township of Reho- 
both, from which Attleborough was subsequently taken. Mr. 
Robinson was one of the principal proprietors when it was in- 
corporated in 1645. H^ married, April 18, 165 i, Joanna Ingra- 
ham, and had eight children. Their third child, George, (2) b. 
July 20, 1656, m. Nov. 17, 1680, Elizabeth Guild, and had nine 
children. Their youngest child, Noah, (3) b. Oct. 9, 1702, m. 
Oct. 4, 1722, Patience Daggett, and had seven children. Their 
si.xth child, Enoch, (4) b. at Attleborough, Nov. 4, 1736, was a 
Lieutenant in the revolutionary war. He m. Dec. 17, 1761, 
Windrell Shepard, and had ten children. Their second child : 

2. Otis, (4) Rev., (see biographies of Baptist ministers) was 
b. at Attleborough, Mass., June 7, 1764; d. in Salisbury, 
March i, 1835; m. March 17, 1785, Hannah, dau. of 
Wah {J) Reed and Dorcas Chaffee, of Attleborough. 
Her (Hannah's) great-great-grandfather was one of the 
settlers of Rehoboth, and came to this country with Gov. 
Winthrop, whose wife was a Reed. Shed, in Salisbury, 
July 23, 1840. 

3. Lucy, b. at .Attleboro', Jan. i, 1786; d. at .\ttleboro', Jan. 6, 17S6. 

4. Nabby, b. at .Vttleboro', April 2, 1787 ; d. at Salisbury, Sept. 1 2, 1S5S ; m. Thom- 

as Beal. ( See.) 

5. Noah, b. at Attleboro', May 5, 17S9; d. at Waterborough, Me., June 27, iSSi. 

6. Otis, b. at Winthrop, Me., Jan. 6, 1794 ; d. at Salisbury, (J)ct. y, 1833. ( See.) 

7. Cyrus, b. in Livermore, Me., June 24, 1796; d. at Concord, .\pril 1, 1S76. 



720 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

8. Harmon, b. at Sanford, Me., Sept. 28, 1S02 ; resides at Meredith. 

9. Hannah, b. at Sanford, Me. Dec. 21, 1805; d. there July 27, 1807. 
10. A son, b. at Salisbury, Feb. 27, 1810; d. Feb. 27, iS — 

(6.) Otis Robinson, Jr., n^ May 10, 1815, Azubah, a dau. of 
Elijah Andrews, of Berlin, Conn. Mr. Robinson was 
the fourth child of the Rev. Otis Robinson, of Salisbury. 
He was installed as pastor of the Baptist church in Gro- 
ton, Vt., in 1824, where he resided for several years, 
until ill health obliged -him to resign his charge. He 
came to Salisbury soon after but lived only a short time. 
Their children were : i. Harriet, b. in Berlin, Conn., 
Feb. 12, 1816; d. Feb. 15, 1816. 11. William A., b. in 
Berlin, Feb. 14, 1817 ; d. Nov. 14, 1855. iii. George, b. 
in Berlin, Feb. 14, 1819; d. July 12, 1819. iv. Harriet 
Reed, b. in Berlin, May 9, 1820; d. Jan. 7, 1867; m. 
Hiram Case, of Simsbury, Conn., and resided at Plain- 
ville, Conn. ; they had no children, v. Louisa, b. in 
Berlin, Feb. 15, 1826 ; m. Jerome Johnson, of Berlin, and 
reside in Plainville ; they have no children, vi. Otis 
G., b. in Woodstock, Vt., Feb. lo, 1828; d. July 8, 1880. 
VII. Caroline A., b. Dec. 14, 1830; d. May i, 1832. 

SECOND BRANCH. 

I. Abraham H. Robinson, M. D., (see physicians) a son of 
Josiah Robinson, a native of Stratham, whose ancestors 
were among the earliest settlers of that town, and Lucy, 
dau. of Lieut. Abram Sanborn, an officer of the revolu- 
tion. This couple passed together a married life of more 
than fifty-six years. He was b. at Concord, Jan. 8, 1813 ; 
m. July 14, 1840, Abigail Gould, who was b. at Hillsbor- 
ough, and d. at Concord, Aug. 26, 1884. Children all 
b. in Salisbury : 

2. Lucy, b. May 5, 1S41, d. May 6, 1845. 

3. Mary, b. May 5, 1841 ; d. July 14, 1841. 

4. Joseph F., b. Nov. 17, 1S45; removed to Texas and is supposed to have died 

there. 

5. Allen H., b. July 11, 1847. 6. John W., b. Oct. 8, 1853. 




'i^^(^^ 



GENEALOGY AND lUOGRAPHY 72 1 



THE ROGERS FAMILY. 

I. John Rogers was the eldest son of John and Rhoda 
(Shedd) Rogers. She dying young he married for his second 
wife Sally Pollard. The subject of this sketch was born at Bil- 
lerica, Mass., Jan. 31, 1790, and early removed to Concord, 
where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. From there he re- 
moved to Salisbury, in March, 1823, and purchased the Daniel 
Stevens farm, which is now owned and occupied by his son, 
Charles C. He d. Oct. 2, 1875 ; m. in 1S13 Hannah C, dau. of 
Moses and Rhoda (Carter) Farnum. She was b. at Concord, 
Sept. 7, 1793, and d. June 21, 1878. 

2. John C, b. in Concord, Dec. 7, 1S15; d. Dec. i, 1S16. 

3. Rhoda C, b. March 7, 1S17 ; m. Jan. 2S, 1S40, E. G. Chase and resides at East 

Andover. 

4. Emeline A., b. Oct. 31, 1819; m. April 28, 1S42, Adner Sargent, of llopkinton. 

5. Phebe W., b. Feb. 22, 1823; m. Sept. 3, 1S40, Moses J. Stevens. ( See.) 

6. Charles Cyrus, b. at Salisbury, Nov. 27, 1S24. ( See.) 

7. Sarah E. P., b. Aug. 4, 1S30; m. April 24, 1S56, Justin Thompson, of Tewks- 

bury, Mass. He d. at Maiden, Mass., Feb. 13, 1S63; she d. at Salisbury, 
Jan. 27, 1865. 

(6.) Charles Cyrus m. March 5, 1856, Martha J., dau. of Ira 
and Hannah Putney, of Hopkinton, where she was b. 
July 13, 1835. Mr. Rogers remained on the home farm 
where he was born, and is one of our most energetic and 
progressive farmers. He was appointed a justice of the 
peace in June, 1866, and justice of the state ten years 
later. No man in town has held the number of town 
offices for so many successive years that he has, being 
chosen representative to the legislature for two terms ; 
serving on the board of selectmen for seven years, being 
chairman five; town treasurer seven and collector of 
taxes four years ; chosen moderator at town meetings for 
ten successive years ; superintending school committee 
for seventeen years, and at present chairman of the 
school board, which shows in a measure the confidence 
46 



722 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

and esteem with which he is regarded by his townsmen. 
He was also a successful school teacher, having taught 
twenty-seven terms in this and adjoining towns. He 
has done much in the settlement of estates at the west 
part of the town, and always with satisfaction to all 
parties concerned. 

8. Lizzie K., b. July S, 1S62. 9. Nellie J., b. Sept. 23, 1S65. 
TO. John P., b. Dec. 14, 1S69. 11. Ned C, b. May 23, 1S75. 



THE SANBORN FAMILY. 

FOUR BRANCHES. 

I. John Sanborn, born about 1600, married the daughter of 
Rev. Stephen Bachilor, and lived and died in Derbyshire, Eng- 
land. His widow, with her father and three sons, came to this 
country, landing at Boston in 1632, and eventually settling at 
Hampton. These three sons were : 

2. John, born in 1620. (?) (See.) 3. William, b. in 1622. (?) 

4. Stephen, who undoubtedly returned to England with his grandfather Bachilor. 

(2.);^;" John, of whose children was Lieut. John, b. at Hampton, 
who had John, Jr., (4) b. in 1649; Deacon and Ensign 
Tristram, (5) b. at Kingston in 1683, (see) ; Abraham, 
(6) b. April 2, 1717, and m. Abigail Clifford; John, (7) 
b. Feb. 19, 1 74 1, (see.) 

(5.) Deacon and Ensign Tristram Sanborn was appointed one 
of the deacons of the church at Kingston, Dec. 26, 1737, 
filling the office forty years. He m. April 2, 171 1, Q) 
Margaret Taylor, by whom he had six children. He was 
one of the grantees of Stevenstown, as was his son Tris- 
tram, and grandson, (.^) Tristram, 3d. 

(7.) John, b. Feb. 19, 1741, the 7th s.^eneration from John (i) 
the English ancestor, m. Elizabeth Sargent, of Scotch 
origin. She had the true Scotch disposition and com 



GKNKALOGY AND niOGRAPHV 723 

plexion, was a great worker and very saving. He died 
April 10, 1797. 

S. Abigail, and 9, Aljiahani, b. June 29, 1759. ( See.) 

10. Winthrop, b. Jan. 11, 1761. (See.) 11. Sarah. 12. Moses, b. Dec. 10, 17G6. 
13. I'.lizabetli, b. Jan. 5, 176S. 14. Jethro, b. Sept. iS, 1770. 

(9.) Abraham, (Capt.) came here the spring he was sixteen 
years old, in 1775, remaining until fall, when he returned 
to his parents at Sandown, continuing that way until he 
got his land in a suitable condition for tillage, when he 
permanently located here, building a house on the site 
now occupied by David S. Prince. He. d. Nov. 25, 1843 ; 
m. (i) Lois Taylor; m. (2) Sarah Loverin, (see) who d. 
Aug. 29, 1859, aged 82. Children by first wife: 

15. Reuben, m. — and d. in Boston, Mass. i6. John, b. Aug. 30, 17S5. ( See.) 

17. Sally, b. in Chester. 18. Polly, d. unm. 19. Eliza, m. — in Salem ; d. there. 

10. Moses, d. in Concord, unm. 

21. Sewell, m. (i) — Bean; removed to Bristol, married again and d. there. 

Children by second wife : 

22. Samuel, m. (i) — Coll)y, at Plainfield; m. (2) — Muzzey; d. at Plainfield. 

23. Mehitable, m. John Sanborn, who d. — ; she resides at English Prairie, III. 

24. Lois, b. Oct. 22, 1S12 ; m. Oct 23, 1833, ^lazen Heath; he d. — ; she d. Jan. 

16, 1SS6. 

25. Isaac, b. June 4, 1S14. ( See.) 

26. Abraham S , resided in the William Dunlap house. He m. (i) Mary E. Bean; 

m. (2) Irenia Flanders. He d. in the army. Children : i. Alfred, b. 
March 9, 183S; resides at Penacook. 11. Martha Jane, b. March 7, 1S40; 
m. (i) Scott Severance; m. (2) Asa Hoyt ; resides at Franklin, in. Nancy, 
b. March 2, 1843; m. William Morse, iv. John F., b. Aug. 17, 1S45; m. 
Kate Huntoon. v. Marion, b. Oct. 16, 1847, and resides at Plainfield. 
VI. Curtis W., d. in 1S69. 

27. Jacob, d. unm. 28. Moses, d. unm. 29. Aaron, d. unm. 
30. Benjamin F. ( See.) 

(16.) John built a house on north range, nearly north of the 
homestead, which was destroyed by fire in 1N47. lie d. 
Aug. 10, 1857; m. I'^liza Shaw, who d. Aj^ril 16, 1847. 



Harriet. 32. Harriet. ;^y .Moses C. ( See ) 

Louisa, m. .Augustus Webster. 35. Caroline, m. William Heath. 

Malaka J., m. Kufus Martin; d. in Andover. 

James W., b. Feb. 23, 1S22. (See.) 3S. Abraham, d young. 

Ira, resides in Ohio. 40. Kbenezer, d. at Great Falls. 41. Eliza. 



724 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(25.) Isaac (Capt.) remains on the home farm. He has held 
a number of town offices and is among our wealthiest 
farmers ; m. April 19, 1833, Lavinia H., dau. of Hopkins 
and Lavinia L. Flanders, of Warner, who was b. May 
20, 1820, she d. Dec. 10, 1886. 

42. Christina L., b. Oct. 5, 1841 ; m. in 1S62, David L. Brown and resides at 

Franklin. 

43. Lucy A., b. Nov. 20, 1843; <^' ^^^Y 3> 1S44. 

44. Frank M., b. Aug. 20, 1847 ; d. Dec. 4, 1S63. 

45. Nellie F., b. April 14, 1852; m. Jan. 20, 1876, George S. Scribner, (see ) who- 

d. in Feb., 1883. Children: i. Irving, h. in Dec, 1876. 11. An infant 
daughter, b. and d. in Feb., 1SS3. 

(30.) Benjamin Franklin m. Dec. 15, 1847, Nancy D. Flan- 
ders, of Warner, who v/as b. Sept. 4, 1822, and d. March 
II, 1878. 

46. Sarah E., b. May 2, 1850; m. Nov. 13, 1S71, James N. Clifford, and resides at 

Lynn, Mass. 

47. Lavina A., b. June lo, 1851 ; m. Charles E. Watson. (See.) 

48. Kate, b. Sept. 4, 1852; m. Oct. 20, 1S75, Parker J. Webber; resides at Lynn. 

49. Augusta N., b. Dec. 5, 1S55; m. Nov. 25, 1S73, Alvin W. Saunders; resides at 

Pittsfield. 

50. Isaac K., b. Aug. 27, 1857. 51. Emeline E., b. Jan. 11, 1SC4. 

(33.) Moses C, (Capt.) was b. Feb. 8, 1816. He built the 
house occupied by his son, Charles P. ; he d. May 28, 
1875; m. (i) Nov. 18, 1841, Mary M., dau. of Stephen 
Pingrey, (see) who d. March 11, 1867; m. (2) Feb. 16, 
1871, widow Sally S. (Aldrich) Ticknor, of Northfield. 

52. Ann, b. Oct. 23, 1843; m. Sept. 11, 1S66, Levi Tucker. (See.) 

53. Charles P., b. June i8, 1845; "■>• Sept. 23, 1875, Abbie A. Ticknor. 

54. Mary A., b. Dec. 7, 1850; m. George Whitmore, ( see ) ; d. Nov. 14, 1869. 

(37.) James Wallace built the house occupied by his widow; 
he d. Sept. 12, 1877; m. March i, 1849, Mary J. Shaw, 
of Weare. She d. in 1888. 



George S., b. Nov. 2, 1849. 

Clara E., b. May 4, 1854; m. Jan. 26, 1S71, Warren C. Carter. 
Wallace B., b. Sept. 29, 1856. 58. Squire F., b. June 16, 175S. 
Gerrish S., b. Nov. 21, 1S59. 60. Warren R., b. April 16, 1862. 
John F., b. Sept. 2, 18 — 62. Georgia E., b. May 2, 1868; d. younj 
Bertie F., b. May 10, 1870. 




ISAAC SANBORN. 



726 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

ing a strong temperance man his scruples would not 
allow him to sell liquor, which in those days was the 
main support of a public house, and thinking that his 
children might be ruined by it he concluded to give it 
up. In 185 I the buildings were destroyed by fire, with 
the contents. He d. May 5, 1853 ; m. (i) Dorcas Nel- 
son, who d. Feb. 20, 1834; m. (2) Sarah Pepperel Ayers, 
of Canterbury. She was a lineal descendant of the Pep- 
perells of Portsmouth, and d. Sept. 24, 1875, aged 83. 
All the children were by first wife : 

78. Dorothy m. John Hancock. ( See.) 

79. Stephen, (Col.) m. (i) Dec. 29, 1817, Polly, dau. of Maj. Jabez Smith, by 

whom he had one child; m. (2) Jan. 24, 1826, Sarah, dau. of Lieut. Benja- 
min Pettengill, (see) ; she d. at St. Louis, Mo., June 6, 1840, leaving three 
children; m. (3) Abby P., widow of Jacob True; he d. Dec. 17, 1876; she 
resides at "Bunker Hill, III. 

So. Benjamin, b. in 1800. ( See.) 

Si. Abigail, m. May 17, 1827, Edward Wyatt ; d. — 

82. Rebecca, m. Willis Russell and resides at Quebec, Canada, 

(80.) Benjamin remained on the farm, and in early life was a 
smart, enterprising man. He d. Sept. 20, 1849; m. Oct. 
8, 1822, Ursula, dau. of Stephen George, (see); she d. 
March 2, 1865, aged 64. 

83. John, d. Aug. 15, 1S28. 84. An infant, d. Nov. 21, 1828. 

85. Stephen G., d. Sept. 18, 1827. 

86. Cynthia B., m. July 4, 1847, m. Morrill Dunlap and resides at Concord. 

87. Amos S., d. at Lowell, Mass.; m. — 

88. Catherine, m. Harmon Piper and resides at Laconia. 

89. Benjamin F., removed to California. 

90. John, removed to Newport; m. — ; d. — 

91. Ursula, m. Thomas Burleigh. ( See.) 

92. Charlotte, m. (i) Frank Wadsworth ; m. (2) — Cummings, a brother of e.x- 

mayor George Cummings, of Concord ; m. (3) George Pressey and resides 
at Newport. 

THIRD BRANCH. 

John Sanborn, eldest child. of Tristram and Abigail (Blake) 
Sanborn, son of John and Mehitable (Fifield) Sanborn, 
son of John and Judith (Coffin) Sanborn, son of Lieut. 
John, son of John the ancestor, was b. Nov. 25, 1731 ; 



GENEALOGY AND CiOGKArilV 727 

m. (i) Elizabeth (Margaret) Clifford, who d. in March, 
1758; m. (2) Oct. 25, 1759, Abi^i^^ail (Elizabeth) Snow; 
he d. at Lee, in 1771. Children by first wife : 

93. Elisha, 1). Oct. 1755; d. Nov. 15, 1772. 

94. Peter, b Oct. 20, 1757; d. in 175S. 

Children by second wife : 

95. Lydia, b. Dec. 29, 1761. 96. Lois, b. Feb. 14, 1764. 

FOURTH HKANCII. 

Moses Sanborn, probably a brother of the foregoing John, as 
both lived on the old road from Shaw's corner, served in 
the revolutionary war. The following may not comprise 
all the children, as very little is known of either of these 
families : 

97. Abigail, m. — Clay. 98. Sarah, m. John Barber. 99. Lydia, m. — Colby. 

100. Deliverance, m. — Bean. loi. Mary, m. — Mills. 

102. I'etsey, ni. — George. 103. Mehitable, m. — 

1C4. Hannah, m. Samuel Tandy. ( See.) 



728 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



THE SAWYER FAMILY. 



FIRST GENERATION. 

(i) I.* William Sawyer (i) came from England, and, ac- 
cording to the best tradition, from some part of Lincolnshire. 
He is first found in Salem, Mass., in 1640; afterwards in 
Wenham, Mass., in 1643, and the next year in Newbury, Mass., 
where he settled, raised his family, and died. He married 
Ruth — , whom he undoubtedly brought from his fatherland, 
and had the following children, all born in Newbury : 

2-1. John, (2) b. Aug. 24, 1645; m. Sarah Poor of Newbury, f'eb. iS, 1675, ^7 

whom he had seven children and d. in 16S9. 
3-2. Samuel, (2) b. Nov. 22, 1646; m. Mary — , by whom he had eight children 

and d. in 17 18. 
4-3. Bitfield, (2). Few traces can be found of him and those go to show that 

he never married and lived to the advanced age of 97 years. 
5-4. Ruth, (2) b. Sept. 16, 1648; m. Benjamin Morse, Aug. 27, 1667, and had 

ten children. 
6-5. Mary, (2) b. Feb. 23, 1649; ^- June 24, 1659. 
7-6. Sarah, (2) b. Nov. 20, 1651 ; m. Joshua Brown, Jan. 15, 166S, and had 

six children. 
8-7. Hannah, (2) b. Feb. 23, 1653; d. Jan. 20, 1659. 
9-S. William, (2) b. Feb. i, 1655 ; m. Mary Emery, March 10, 1670, and had si-\ 

children. (2) IL 
10-9. Francis, {2) b. March 24, 1657 ; d. Feb. 7, 1659. 
ii-io. Mary, (2) b. July 29, 1660; m. John Emery, Jr., June 13, 16S3. She had 

six children and d. Nov. 3, 1699. 
12-11. Stephen, (2) b. April 25, 1663. In 16S6 m. Ann Titcomb, b. June 7, 1666. 

Stephen d. June 8, 1753, aged 90. 
13-12. Hannah, (2) b. Jan. 11, 1664; d. Aug. 28, 16S3. 
14-13. Frances, b. Nov. 3, 1670. 

* The Arabic figures in parentheses indicate the number of the Family, and the Roman figures that of 
the Generations in America. The first Arabic figure set against a child, marks the number of the indi- 
vidual in this genealogy, and the second in his or her particular family. By aid of these, persons occu- 
pying more than one place may be traced forwards or backwards, and their various relations to others 
ascertained. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 729 

SECOND GENERATION. 

(2) II. William Sawyer, (9-8) the eighth child of William, 
Senior, was born in Newbury, Mass., Feb. i, 1655, and 
there settled. On the loth day of March, 1671, he mar- 
ried Mary Emery.* They had six children : 

1 5-1. Mary. {3) b. Jan. 20, 1672. 

16-2. Samuel, (3) b. June 5, 1674. 

^7-3- John, (3) b. March 15, 1676. 

1S-4. Ruth, (3) b. Sept. 20, 1677. 

19-5. Hannah, (3) b. Jan. 12, 1679. 

20-6. Josiah, (3) b. Jan. 20, 1681. (3) IIL 

*The Emery family is one of the oldest and most respectable among the early 
colonists of New England. Two brothers emigrated from Romsey, in England, in 
the ship James, to Newbury, in June, 1635. Anthony went from Newbury to Kit- 
tery, and settled in that or some other part of Maine. John settled in Newbury. 
His eldest son, John, was born in P2ngland, in 1629. He married in Ipswich, Oct. 29, 
1650, Mary Webster, the widow of John Webster. On the 24th day of June, 1652, 
the aforesaid Mary, the wife of William Sawyer, was born, being their first child. 



THIRD GENERATION. 

(3) III. Josiah Sawyer, (20-6) who is handed down as sus- 
taining the ofifice of Captain, was born Jan. 20, 16S1, and 
married — They had five children : 

21-1. Josiah, (4) b. 170S; d. June 10, 1792, aged 84 years. (4) IV. 
22-2. Moses, (4) Dr., b. 171 1 ; d. Aug. 25, 177S. 

23-3. Terzah, (4) b. 171 5, d. 1782. She married David Ring 
and had one or more children, all of whom d. in infancy. 
For her second husband she married Reuben French. 
They had no children and both died June 3, 1782, within 
two hours of each other. They were both buried in one 
grave, in Southampton, N. II. He was fifty-two years 
of age and his wife was sixty-nine. Although there was 
a difference of seventeen years in their ages, they lived 
very affectionately and happily together. 

24-4. Gideon, (4) b. 17 19; d. Dec. 26, 1S06. 

25-5. Hannah, (4) b. 1735; d. Sept. 24, 1759, unm. 



730 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

FOURTH GENERATION. 

(4) IV. JosiAH Sawyer, (21-1) the eldest son of Josiah, Sen- 

ior, was born in 1708 and married about 1735, to Mary 
Ordway,* of Newbury, the daughter of Deacon John 
Ordway, who was highly distinguished for the amiability 
and sweetness of her disposition, her kind and courteous 
deportment, and her deep, devoted, personal piety. He 
was a farmer, and they resided in Newbury until 1746, 
when he purchased a farm in Southampton, N. H., and 
removed to that town in April of that year. He d. June 
10, 1792, aged 84 years. His children were : 

26-1. Josiah, (5). (5) V. 

27-2. Israel, (5). (6) V. 

2S-3. Miriam, (5) d. Sept. 4, 17S0, unm. 

29-4. John, (5). (7) V. 

30-5 Hannah, (5) b. 1746; d. Sept. 24, 1770, aged 24 years, unm. 

31-6. Richard, (5). (S) V. 

32-7. Matthias, (5). (9) V. 

33-S. Moses, (5). (10) V. 

34-9. Terzah, (5) b. 1758; d. Sept. 2, 1S32, aged 74 years, unm. 

35-10. Molly, b. 1764; d. Sept. 21, 1789, aged 25 years, unm. 

*The name of Ordway is a highly respectable one among the first settlers of 
Massachusetts Bay. The family originated from James Ordway, who was born in 
Wales, in 1620, and either there or in England married Ann Emerj", on the 23d 
of November, 1648, and soon emigrated to and settled in Newbury. On the 
17th of November, 1658, John, their fifth child, was born; who on the 5th Dec, 
1 68 1, married Mary Godfrey. John, the son of the said John, Senior, and Mary, 
was born in 16S3, and died Aug. 25, 1773, aged 90 years. He is handed down on 
the record as a deacon in the Puritan Church and as a pious and highly respectable 
man. On the loth Jan., 1713, they had born a son, Nehemiah, whom they educated 
as a physician, and who became very eminent in his profession. He settled in 
Amesbury, had a very extensive practice and accumulated a large fortune for that 
day. By the medical annals, this Dr. Nehemiah Ordway is represented as one of 
the most skillful and successful practitioners in New England, of that time. He 
was worn out by the fatigues of his practice and died Jan. 13, 1779, aged 66 years. 
His sister Mary was born Nov. 2, 1714 and died Mar. 2, 1796, aged Si years and 
four months. 

FIFTH GENERATION. 

(5) V. Josiah Sawyer, (26-1) son of Josiah, (4) was born in 

1737 and settled in Deerfield, N. H. He died June 19, 



GENEALOGY AND IHOGRAPHY 73 1 

i8i2, aged 75 years. He was one of the original propri- 
etors of Nottingham and settled where Daniel Jones 
now (187S) lives, near the line between Deerfield and 
Nottingham. Me married a sister of Jeremiah Eastman, 
who surveyed the town of Deerfield. His children : 

36-1. Josiah, (6) removed to Ciiiford. 

37-2. Jeremiah, (6). (ii) VI. 

3S-3. David, (6) b. April 14, 1666. (12) VI. 

39-4. John, (6) lived in Andover, where he died, leaving children. 

40-5. Israel, (6) married and lived on the homestead. (13) VI. 

(6) V. Israel Sawyer, (27-2) son of Josiah, (4) was b. 1739. 

He settled in Southampton, N. H., m. Miriam Clough, 
and d. July 19, 1821, aged 82 years. Their children : 

41-1. Polly, (6). (14) VI. 

42-3. Jemima, (6). (15) VI. 

43-3- Sally. (6). (16) VI. 

44-4. Terzah. (17) VI. 

45-5. Lydia, (6). 

46-6. Israel, (6). (iS) VI. 

47-7. William, (6) b. June 20, 17S7; d. Jan. 29, iSii, unm. 

(7) V. John Sawyer, (29-4) son of Josiah, (4) was born 1745 

and settled in Salisbury, Mass. He was of a very slen- 
der constitution and d. March 19, 1796, aged 51 years. 
He m. Abigail Shepherd, of Salisbury, Mass. Children : 

4S-1. John, (6). (19) VI. 

49-2. Hannah, (6) died unmarried. 

5C-3. Jeremiah, (6). (20) VI. 

(8) V. Richard Sawyer, (31-6) son of Josiah, (4) was born 

May 31, 1748, and d. June 22, 18 18, aged 70 years. He 
was a farmer and lived in Corinth, Vt. He m. Elizabeth 
Clark. Their children : 



51-1 
52-2 

53~3 
54-4 
55-5 
;6-^ 



Hannah, (6) b. Oct. 3t, 1774. (21) VI. 

Richard, (6) b. in Southampton, N. H., Dec. 14, 1776. (22) VI. 

Plant, (6) b. in Southampton, N. H., April 19, 1779. (23) \'I. 

Betsey, (6) b. Sept. i, 17S2. (24) VI. 

Sally, (6) b. Nov. 17, 17S5. (2;) VI. 

Abigail, (6) b. Aug. 15, 1789. (26) VI. 



732 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



(9) V. Matthias Sawyer, (32-7) son of Josiah, (4) was born 
May 31, 1748, settled in Gilmanton, X. H., and d. June 
22, 18 18. He married Eunice Batchelder, who d. Nov. 
I, 1785. Their children : 

57-1. William, (6). (27) VI. 

58-2. Jonathan, (6). 

59-3. Mehitable, (6). 

6c3-4. Mary, (6). 

61-5. Sarah, (6). (28) VI. 

62-6. Judith, (6). 

63-7. Noah, (6). (29) VI. 

64-8. Timothy, (6) unm. 

65-9. Elizabeth, (6). {30) VI. 

66-10. Israel, (6). (31) VI. 

67-11. Eunice, (6) unm. 



HOUSE OF DEACON MOSES SAWYER, SITUATED ON SOUTH ROAD 
TWO MILES WEST OF THE SOUTH ROAD VILLAGE. 




GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 733 

(lo) V. Moses Sawyer, (Deacon,) (33-8) the eighth son 
of Josiah, (4) was b. at Southampton, N. H., Aug. 2, 1750. He 
married Jan. 16, 1775, Ann Fitz, daughter of Richard Fitz of 
this town, and a great-great-grandaughter of Robert Fitz, who 
was the first Anglo-American ancestor of the American Fitzes 
and an uncle of Sir John Fitz, a distinguished barrister of Lin- 
coln's Inn, London, who had a country-seat near Tavistock, in 
Devonshire county, England, near a ford of the river Tavy, 
named from its location Fitz Ford.* 

Robert Fitz was of good social position and estate, but, find- 
ing his situation at home unpleasant on account of the Puritan 
principles which he had espoused, he emigrated to America and 
settled at Salisbury, Mass., about 1640. He there became an 
influential citizen and died in June, 1665. There is some reason 
to believe that he was at Ipswich for a few years before 1640. 

Ann Fitz was the youngest of fourteen children, twelve of 
whom lived to maturity. She was b. at Southampton, Jan. 20, 
1750. Previous to his marriage Mr. Sawyer had purchased a 
tract of land in Salisbury and had spent several seasons in 
clearing a portion of it for a farm, and had also erected upon it 
a temporary dwelling.! He became a permanent resident of 
the town soon after his marriage. His name appears upon the 
" List of Training Soldiers of the Town of Salisbury, drawn 
May 27, 1776," being the fifty-first on a roll of seventy-five. All 
he possessed at this time, besides his partially cleared farm and 
his scanty herd, was youth, health, hope, an unwavering trust 
in God, and a noble wife, in full sympathy with him in all his 
views and purposes. 

About the close of the revolution, probably in 1782, J he 
built a more commodious house, which afterwards became his 
residence. This house still remains in his family, and is yet in 
fair condition. Its heavy oak timbers have been only hardened 
by time, while their external covering has suffered but little 

•The scene of the novel " Fit* Ford," by Mrs. Bray, is laid in this locality. For account of the 
Fitzes of Fitz Ford see Wescot's Devonshire, p. 446. 

t This stood at the fork of the roads near his subsequent residence. [ See foregoing page.] 
JMy authority for this date is his grandson, Isaac Newton Sawyer, of Salisbury. — J. B. W. 



734 



HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



from exposure. It is a good type of the house of a well-to-do 
New Hampshire farmer of a hundred years ago. With timely 
repairs it will easily outlast this century and the next. 




FLOOR PLAN OF FIRST STORY. 



This house is of two low stories, with a length of thirty-eight 
feet and a breadth of thirty. Attached to it on the back side is 
a small ell, twenty feet long and eighteen wide, but one story. 
The main house is painted red, while the casings and corner 
boards are white. The ridge-line of the roof is broken only by 
a short, bulky chimney, indicative of the comfort and good 
cheer which abounded below and within. Facing the south, 
the front door is upon the back side, and opens upon a square 
vestibule, which affords access to the two south rooms. The 
other half of the first story is taken up by a long kitchen, dim- 
ly lighted by a single window in its northwest corner, and 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 735 

flanked at one end by a small bedroom and at the other by a 
pantry, the chamber stairs, and a side entry. The division of 
the second story, so far as made, corresponds very nearly with 
that of the first. 

As before intimated, the huge chimney occupies the central 
portion of the house, and affords five spacious fire-places, the 
one in the kitchen being some five feet from jamb to jamb. In 
early days this rendered important aid to the good deacon in 
heli)ing him dispose of the large quantities of useless wood 
which his forest clearings produced. Before these blazing fires 
four generations of Sawyers have scorched their faces and 
frozen their backs. 

In this venerable home Deacon Moses Sawyer and his wife 
lived happily together for a period of forty-six years. Here 
they reared their children ; here a modest competency, secured 
by daily industry, was to them an abundance ; here they estab- 
lished and maintained a family altar. 

Deacon Sawyer was a member and an officer of the Salisbury 
Congregational church for many years. When at length its 
pastor promulgated certain religious opinions, which he deemed 
unsound, he withdrew from its membership and joined the 
Corser Hill church, in Boscawen. The cause and manner of 
this action is clearly set forth in the following letter of Mrs. 
Horace Eaton, of Palmyra, N. Y., to one of the compilers : 

Palmyra, \. \'., April ::, 1SS4. 
Joseph H. Walker, Esq. 

Vou ask me to note down some things which my mother, .Mrs. Hetsey ( Sawyer) 
Webster, used to tell me of her parents. 

"Grandmother Sawyer," (Anne Filz,) descended directly from Puritan stock. 
Her ancestor, Robert Kitz, came over from England in 1631, only eleven years after 
the landing of the Pilgrims. The rights of primogeniture were taken from him by 
his father because he espoused the cause of the Puritans. Our grandmother pos- 
sessed great strength of character. .She was a noble wife and mother. .She endured 
with heroism the trials incidental to pioneer life; for Salisbury, when she first made 
a home in it, was a frontier town. Much of the description of a " virtuous woman," 
in the 31st chapter of Proverbs, could truthfully have been applied to her. 

Her husband, Deacon Moses .Sawyer, was a man of good common sense, in- 
dustrious, energetic, devout. Knowing the right, he dared maintain it. 

The history of the Ecclesiastical Council held in .Salisbury, somewhere about 
the year 1S14, shows how careftilly the great string-pieces of the gospel system 



736 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

were guarded by our fathers. They obeyed the injuntion of the Apostle, " Mold 
fast the form of sound words.". The language of their solicitude was, " If the 
foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do." 

One Sabbath afternoon, after a communion season, at which some persons had 
united with the church, grandfather returned home silent and thoughtful. He 
talked low with grandmother. The Articles of Faith and the Covenant he knew 
by heart, but as read that day by the minister. Rev. Thomas Worcester, ( brother 
of Rev. Drs. Noah and Samuel Worcester,) they did not sound "as aforetime."" 
Hoping that " peradventure it was an oversight," he awaited the next sacramental 
service. It came. He listened attentively. He tried to catch the name of the 
second person of the adorable Trinity, Jesus Christ the Saviour, of the third per- 
son, the Holy Ghost, the Blessed Comforter, but they did not fall upon his ears. 
There was a void, a vacuum, over which hovered a darkness that could be felt. 
He passed a sleepless night. The morning meal was left untasted. Saddling his 
horse, a ride of two miles and a half found him at the gate of the parsonage. 
He meekly inquired of the pastor if there had not been a change in the covenant 
of the church, and received the brusque reply, " I have altered the Covenant and 
the Articles of Faith, and shall do it again at my pleasure." Repeated interviews 
brought them no nearer together. The differences involved were radical. To our 
grandfather it seemed that tliey had "taken away his Lord and he knew not where 
they had laid him." He then asked Mr. Worcester to unite with him in a Mutual 
Council, which should discuss and settle the questions at issue. This Mr. Wor- 
cester very peremptorily refused to do. Grandfather then proceeded to summon 
an ex-parte council. This council were forbidden by Mr. Worcester to assemble 
in the church at the South road. So they convened at the old red house, the home 
of our grandparents. There were some forty delegates present, embracing the most 
prominent clergymen and laymen of the Congregational church of New Hampshire 
I can recall but few names — Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D., of Boscawen, Rev. Abra. 
ham Bodwell, of Sanbornton, Rev. Dr. Moore, one of the professors of Dartmouth 
College, Rev. Moses Bradford, of Francestown, Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford, of New 
Boston, Rev. Walter Harris, D. D., of Dunbarton and Rev. Seth Payson, of Rindge, 
father of Rev. Edward Payson, D. D., of Portland, Me. 

In those primitive times, the entertainment of so large a number of guests for 
two or three days together was no inconsiderable matter. The work of the house- 
wife was not expedited by modern facilities; meats were roasted in "the tin kitchen " 
in front of the huge, open fire-place, or in the immense brick oven, heated by wood. 
The vegetables were boiled in kettles suspended on the adjustable iron hooks of a 
"crane." Tea and coffee were "set to draw" on little heaps of burning coals at 
the corner of the hearth. When their heat began to wane, the coals were renewed, 
or fanned with " the bellows. " The necessary labor was systematically divided. 
Grandmother's aged but deft fingers prepared the bread and " the doughnuts," 
while your mother and mine with Aunt .Sarah attended to the meats, pies and more 
fancy dishes, as well as to the general ordering of the household. It was the year 
before my mother's marriage, rendering the situation a little complicated, as the 
Webster's were all devoted friends of Mr. Worcester. 

The august sessions were held in "the west room." The tall eight-day wooden 
clock ticked in the corner. "Cynthia, empress of the night," revolved at its head. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 737 

There was always a simper on her face, which upon this occasion must have seemed 
slightly irreverent. I'.rass candle-sticks, brightly polished, held the tallow candles, 
which on "mantel-board " and "stand," lighted the divines at their evening con- 
ferences. 

The bed was removed from the old bed-room, where six of the eight children 
had been born, and that apartment was entirely devoted to the liquors for the use 
of the clerical company. Our grandfather had previously provided a liberal sup- 
ply of these at Concord. By the side of the bottles and decanters were bowls of 
white sugar broken off from tall loaves, encased in wrappers of Tyrian purple hue. 
Water to dilute the port wine. New England and Jamaica rum, Holland gin and 
Cognac brandy, was brought from the " old oaken bucket, dripping with coolness," 
and drawn up by the long arm of the well-sweep. One by one, as need required, 
these fathers and brethren stole away from creeds and canons and comforted the 
inner man with these beverages. My mother noticed that the intervals of refresh- 
ment were much shorter with some than with others. 

But those days when the true faith was confronted by Arianism and Arminian- 
ism, under the shadow of Kearsarge, ended at last. The council reported that 
"errors fatal to the souls of men" were rife in the Salisbury church, and they 
gave Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer and several others letters of recommendation to evan- 
gelical churches. 

It was hard for the old deacon to leave his church-home, where on communion 
Sabbaths he had "lined the hymns" and distributed the sacred elements for a long 
term of years. But he had his reward. Many of his posterity have been sus- 
tained in life and in death by the great doctrines of grace he then and there de- 
fended. His oldest son, who bore his name, preached the gospel with faithfulness 
and success for twenty-four years in Henniker, N. H. His grandaughter, Mrs. 
Jessie Lockwood, told the story of the cross to the Creeks and Choctaws of Ar- 
kansas. And recompense came a half century or more after his death, when his 
great grandson, Rev. Frank T. Bayley, was ordained in Canandaigua, N. V., over 
a church distinguished for its talent and benevolence, where men in the nation's 
cabinet worshiped. Youthful like Timothy, eloquent like Apollos, with modesty, 
clearness and ability, he answered the questions of the council, and .spoke words 
that gloriously exalted the divinity and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus the Christ. 
It was then I blessed God for the heroic steadfastness of our ancestor, Deacon 
Moses Sawyer, of Salisbury, X. H. Mrs. Hor.\ce Eaton. 

How a man, with a fair-sized Salisbury farm as his only re- 
source, could pay his full share of the state, county and town 
taxes, support in comfort a large family, send two of his sons 
to Dartmouth College, give a good English education to his 
other children, and at his death leave a respectable estate to 
his heirs at law, is doubtless a mystery to any person unac- 
quainted with the ordinary farm life of New England seventy 
years ago. Every one in Deacon Sawyer's household earned 
his or her living day by day. The family raised its own food 
47 



738 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

and produced most of its own clothing. God-fearing, self-re- 
specting, healthy, industrious, level-headed, they could not fail 
to succeed. 

Deacon Sawyer died of lung fever, April 29, 1821. Mrs. 
Sawyer survived him about fifteen years and died October 4, 
1836. Their children : 

6S-1. Moses, (6) b. March II, 1776. {32) VI. 

69-2. Isaac Fitz, (6) b. March 9, 177S. (}2) VI. 

70-3. Polly, (6) b. May 30, 1780. (34) VI. 

71-4. Nathaniel, (6) b. March 13, 17S2; d. March 22, 17S3. 

72-5. Nathaniel, (6) b. April 10, 1784. (35) VI. 

73-6. Ann, (6) b. June 21, 1786. (36) VI. 

74-7. Sarah, (6) b. June 5, 1789. (37) VI. 

75-S. Betsey, (6) b. May 17, i793- (jS) VI. 

SIXTH GENERATION. 

(11) VI. Jeremiah Sawver, (37-2) son of Josiah, (5) married 

Miss — Purrington, of Brentwood, and removed to Gil- 
manton, where he died. His children : 

76-1. John, (7). 

77-2. Jeremiah, (7) who served in the war of the revolution. 

78-3. James, (7). 

79-4. David, (7). 

80-5. Nancy, (7). 

81-6. Miriam, (7). 

S2-7. Lydia, (7) m. — Jones, of Epping, N. H. 

(12) VI. David Sawyer, (38-3) son of Josiah, (5) b. April 14, 

1766, and settled in Deerfield, N. H., but subsequently 

removed to Lee, N. H., where he d. Aug. 21, 1845, aged 

80 years ; m. ist, Hannah Palmer. Children: 

83-1. David, (7). (39) VII. 

84-2. Josiah, (7). (40) VII. 

85-3. John, (7) b. March 16, 1801. (41) VII. 

86-4. Hannah, (7) m. John Porter. 

87-5. Luella, (7) m. — Conklin, of Exeter. 

m. 2d, Mary, sister of Deacon Levi Knowles, of North- 
wood, N. H. Child : 

SS-6. Jefferson, (7). (42) VII. 

m. 3d, Mrs. Susan Chesley, widow of Thomas Chesley, 
of Durham, N. H. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 739 

{13) VI. Israel Sawyer, (40-5) son of Josiah, (5) m. — and 
lived on the homestead. Children : 



89-1 

9C^2 

9'-3 
92-4 

93-5 



Coffin, (7). 
Ebenezer, (7). 
Phebe, (7). 
Tristram, (7). 
John, (7). 



{14) VI. Polly Sawyer, (41-1) daughter of Israel, (5) married 
Samuel Currier. Children : 

94-1. Reuben, (7) unm. 
95-2. Samuel, (7) unm. 

96-3. Polly, (7) m. Jacob Rowe, of Plainfield, N. II. Children, ist, Mary Ann, 
(S) 2d, William, (8). 

(15) VI. Jemima Sawyer, {42-2) dau. of Israel, (5) m. Isaiah 

Palmer, Esq., of Southampton, N. H. Children : 

97-1. Israel, (7) died young. 
9S-2. John, (7). (43) VII. 

(16) VI. Sally Sawyer, (43-3) daughter of Israel, (5) mar- 

ried Thomas Flanders, of Cornville, Me. Children : 

99-1. Parker, (7) ni. Ann Blaisdell. 

100-2. Salina, (7) m. John McClure. 

101-3. Lydia, (7) m. — Greeley. 

102-4. Thomas, (7). 

103-5. William, (7). 

(17) VI. Terzah Sawyer, (44-4) dau. of Israel, (5) m. Parker 

Flanders, of Cornville, Me. Children : 

104-1. Parker, (7). 

105-2. William, (7). 

106-3. Washington, (7). 

107-4. Kliza, (7)- 

loS-s. F:ilen, (7). 

(18) VI. Israel Sawyer, (46-6) son of Josiah, (5) married 

Mary Galishan. Children : 



109-1 
110-2 
iit-3, 
1 1 2-4 

"3-5 
1 1 4-6 



Mary, (7) m. Adams Gale, of Amesbury, Mass. 

Rebecca, (7.) 

Jacob, (7) died young. 

Caroline W., (7). 

Abba, (7). 

Hannah, (7) m. Kzekiel Merrill. Children: Israel Sawyer, (8). 



740 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(19) VI. John Sawyer, (48-1) son of John, (5) m. Hannah 

Perkins. Child : 

115-1. John, (7) m. Ann Perkins. Children: ist, Ann, (7) 2d, Hannah, (7). 

(20) VI. Jeremiah Sawyer, (50-3) son of John, (5) m. Betsey 

Fitz. Children : 

116-1. Enoch, (7) m. Apphia Kelley. Children : ist, Susan, (S) 2d, Enoch, (8). 

1 17-2. Moses Judkins, (7) unm. 

11S-3. Elizabeth, (7) unm. 

1 19-4. Josiah, (7) m. Abba Page. Children: ist, Albert, (8) 2d, Sarah A., (8). 

120-5. Sarah, (7). (44) VII. 

121-6. Jeremiah Hayden, Dr., (7) Newburyport ; m. Lydia Olive Davis. 

(21) VI. Hannah Sawyer, (51-1) daughter of Richard, (5) b. 

Oct, 31, 1774; d. Aug. 18, 1817; m. Ezekiel Courier, of 
Hampstead, N. H., a Methodist minister, who died in 
Orange, Vt., in 1851. Children: 

122-1. John, (7) farmer, b. 1796. (45) VII. 

123-2. Hannah, (7) b, 179S. (46) VII. 

124-3. Betsey, (7) b. Sept. 14, 1799, unm. 

125-4. Nancy, (7) b. Aug. 31, 1801. (47) VII. 

126-5. Richard Sawyer, (7) b. June 22, 18— (48) VII. 

127-6. Lucinda, (7) b. March 17, 1805. (49) VII. 

128-7. Sabin, (7) b. March 29, 1807. (50) VII. 

129-8. Susan, (7) b. January, 1809. {51) VII. 

130-9. Newell, (7) b. in 181 1 ; died young. 

131-10. Philura, (7) b. in 1S13; died young. 

132-11. James Monroe, (7) b. July 28, 1817. (52) VII. 

(22) VI. Richard Sawyer, (52-2) son of Richard, (5) farmer,. 

b. at Southampton, N. H., Dec. 14, 1776; m. Anna Poor, 
dau. of Lieut. David Poor, of Hampstead, N. H., b. June 
9, 1777. Children : 

133-1. Betsey, (7) b. Sept. 26, iSoo; d. at Salisbury, N. H., of brain fever, July 
26, 1835. 

134-2. Atalus, farmer, b. Jan. 17, 1804; d. July 26, 1S50. 

135-3. Brydone, (7) b. June 27, 1805; d. April 10, 1831 ; stone cutter. 

136-4. Moreau, (7) cabinet maker, b. Feb. 23, 1809; d. of consumption Oct. 29, 1828. 

137-5- Mayo Greenleaf, (7) farmer, b. Dec. 11, 1810; d. of consumption Aug. 13, 
1845; m. Caroline Eastman, of Haverhill, N. H. Children: ist, Rich- 
ardson, (8) 2d, Brydone, (8). 

138-6. Mary Poor, (7) b. Feb. 15, 1S14; d. of dropsy June 5, 1S48 ; m. Alfred 
Lathrop, farmer, of Vershire, Vt. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 74I 

139-7. Anna, (7) b. Nov. 2, 1815; d. of typhus fever Nov. zt, 1842; m. Erastus 
Dickinson, farmer, Washington, Vt. Child: Joseph Leonard, (8). 

i.jo-S. Susan, (7) b. April 5, 1S17 ; m. John Bragg, farmer, of Thetford, Vt. Chil- 
dren : 1st, Dana, (8) 2d, John, (8) 3d, Albert, (8). 

141-9. Sarah G., (7) b. Jan. 12, 1819, unm. 
142-10. Caroline, (7) b. Feb. 11, 1S21, unm. 

(23) VI. Plant Sawyer, (53-3) son of Richard, (5) farmer, b. 

in Southampton, N. H., April 19, 1779; d. Feb. 28, 1840, 
of dropsy ; m. Ruth Eastman, of Coventry, now Benton, 
N. H., b. July 25, 1785. Children : 

143-1. Ira, (7) b. Nov. 6, 1808 ; d. Nov. 26, 1823. 

144-2. Rosilla, (7) b. Aug. 25, iSio; m. Horace Richardson, farmer, of Corinth, 

Vt. Children, ist, Fanny M., (8) 2d, Orin, (8). 
145-3- ' Otis, (7) b. Feb. 17, 1813. (53) VH. 
146-4. Alvira, (7) b. March 3, 1815; d. March 7, 1817. 
147-5. Dana, (7) b. Aug. 14, 1817; m. Sally C. Sanborn, b. in February, 181S. 

Children : 1st, Emma V., (8) 2d, Henry T., (8). 
148-6. Almira, (7) b. Sept. 13, 1819. (54) VH. 
149-7. Emeline, (7) b. Jan. 9, 1822; m. Hilas Dickey, mason, Manchester, N. H. 

Child : Edwin, (S) died young. 
150-8. Lucinda, (7) b. Sept. 24, 1826; m, Amos P. Collins, farmer. Children -. 

1st, Charles E., (8) died young; 2d, Carlos C, (8). 
151-9. Moreau, (7) b. June 14, 1829, unm; is a mason in Missouri. 

(24) VI. Betsey Sawyer, (54-4) dau. of Richard, (5) b. Sept. 

I, 1782; m. David Poor, farmer, Hampstead, N. H., b. 
Sept. 5, 1773. Children : 

1 52-1. Plant Sawyer, (7) b. Jan. iS, 1S03; d. June 27, 1846. 
153-2. Seneca, (7) b. Nov. iS, 1807; d. Feb. 14, 1S09. 

154-3. Christina, {7) b. June 13, 1811 ; m. Samuel C. Clement, farmer. Children : 
1st, Orson C, (8) 2d, Martin Van Buren, (SK 

(25) VI. Sally Sawyer, (55-5) dau. of Richard, (5) b. Nov. 

17, 1785; d. 1846; ni. John Clifford. Children: 



IS5-I 
156-2 

1 57-3 
158-4 

'59-5 
160-6, 



Peter Lorenzo, (7). 
Clark, (7). 
Edwin, (7). 
Plant, (7). 
Richard, (7). 
Sally, (7). 



742 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(26) VI. Abigail Sawyer, (56-6) dau. of Richard, (5) b. Aug. 
15, 1789; m. Stephen Merrill, farmer, Corinth, Vt., b. 
July 10, 1776, and d. July 30, 1842. Child : 

161-1. Louisa M., (7) b. Dec. 6, 1S31. 

{27) VI. William Sawyer, (57-1) son of Matthias, (5) mar- 
ried Polly Lane. Children : 

162-1. Thomas, (7). 

163-2. William, (7). (55) VII. 

(28) VI. Sarah Sawyer, (61-5) dau. of Matthias, (5) married 

Stephen Marvin. Children : 

164-1. George, (7). 
165-2. Franklin, (7). 
166-3. Mary F., (7). 

(29) VI. Noah Sawyer, (63-7) son of Matthias, (5) married 

Adaline Flanders, of Alton, N. H. Child : 

167-1. Leander, (7). 

(30) VI. Elizabeth Sawyer, (65-9) dau. of Matthias, (5) m. 

Alfred Jacobs, of Gilmanton, N. H. Children : 

1 68-1. Sarah E., (7). 
169-2. Charles T., (7). 
170-3. Mary Ann, (7). 

(31) VI. Israel Sawyer, (66-10) son of Matthias, (5) married 

Betsey Small, of Guilford, N. H. Children : 

171-1. Sarah, (7). 

172-2. Israel, (7) married Lucinda Colman. 

(32) VI. Moses Sawyer, Rev., (68-1) son of Moses, (5) was 

born at Southampton, N. H., March 11, 1776. Gradu- 
ated at Dartmouth College in 1796 and took one of 
the first honors of his class. He read divinity with Rev. 
Asa Burton, D. D., of Thetford, Vt., and was pastor of 
the second Congregational church in Henniker, N. H., 
from May 26, 1802, to March 29, 1826. In his History of 
Henniker, Mr. L. W. Cogswell says of him: "Through 
his straightforward manner of conduct, his even disposi- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 743 

tion, amiability and urbanity, always having a pleasant 
word for all with whom he came in contact, he became 
cjuite a favorite with the people of the town and much 
regret was felt at parting with him. He lived in the 
house that he built, on the site occupied now by the res- 
idence of Mr. Moore. He was a valuable citizen, always 
taking a deep interest in everything pertaining to the 
interest of the town." He was subsequently settled 
over the Congregational church in Scarborough, Me., 
and afterwards for brief periods over churches in Glou- 
cester, Mass., and Saugus of the same state. His health 
failing, he relinquished preaching and retired, first to 
Boscawen, N. H., for a time, and then to Ipswich, Mass., 
where he died of paralysis, Aug. 26, 1847. He married, 
July 7, 1802, Miss Frances Kimball, daughter of Capt. 
Peter Kimball, of Boscawen, who was b. Aug. 9, 1776, 
and d. at Medford, Mass., May 13, 1854. Children : 

173-1. Caroline, b. May 2S, 1S04. (56) VII. 

174-2. Livonia, b. May iS, 1S06. (57) VII. 

175-3. Cassandra, b. June 24, 1S09. (58) VII. 

176-4. Moses Kimball, b. July 7, 1S12. (59) VII. 

{33) VI. Isaac Fitz Sawyer, (69-2) son of Moses, (5) was b. 
at Southampton, N. H., March 9, 1778. When a child 
he went to Salisbury, where as a farmer he passed his 
subsequent life upon his paternal farm. He married, 
1st, Rebecca Pettengill, dau. of Capt. David Pettengill, 
who died March 9, 1834. Children : 



177-1 
178-2 

179-3 
1S0-4 
iSi-5 
1S2-6 

183-7 
1S4-8 
KS5-9 



Hannah, (7) b. Jan. i, iSoi. (60) VII. 

Fanny, (7) b. May i, 1803. (6i) VIL 

David. (7), b. in January, 1S06; d. at Concord, April 27, 1S27, unni. 

Amanda Malvina, (7) b. in February, 1S09. (62) VII. 

Isaac Newton, (7) b. April 5, iSn. (63) VII. 

Moses, (7) b. Sept. 14, 1S13; d. suddenly of heart disease Nov. 4, 1S41, and 

was a young man of much promise ; unm. 

Nathaniel, (7) b. Sept. 14, 1S15. (64) VII. 

Daniel Fitz, (7) b. Feb. 29, 1820. (65) VII. 

Francis Brown, (7) b. April 2, 1S23. (66) VII. 

Mr. Sawyer m. 2d, Mehitable Colby, of Bradford, N. H., 
who d. April 23, 1847, aged 55 years. He was a man of 



744 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

great industry, sound judgment and high integrity. He 
discharged from time to time various public trusts, with 
great fidelity. Died Feb. i, 1S46. 

(34) VI. Polly Sawyer, (70-3) dau. of Moses, (5) was born 
at Salisbury, May 30, 1780. She married Lieut. David 
Pettengill, son of Capt. David Pettengill, of Salisbury, 
who d. Dec. 29, 1829. He was a farmer and lived in the 
three-storied brick house in Centre Road Village. She 
died Nov. i, 1856. Children : 

1S6-1. Betsey, (7) b. in November, 1799. (67) VIL 

187-2. Malinda, (7) b. in August, iSoi ; d. Feb. 2, 1S74. She married ist. Elder 

Hiram Stevens; 2d, Capt. Daniel Miller, qf Salisbury. 
1S8-3. Polly, (7) b. in September, 1S03. (68) VII. 
189-4. John Milton, (7) b. in June, 1S06. (69) VII. 

(35) VI. Nathaniel Sawyier, (72-5) the fourth son of Dea. 
Moses and Ann Fitz Sawyer, was born in Salisbury, April 10, 
1784, at the family homestead, now in possession of the heirs of 
Dea. Nathaniel Sawyer. His daughter, Mrs. Henry O. Hotch- 
kiss, of New Haven, Conn., says of him : 

"In the years succeeding the revolution women were formed 
in sterner mould than at the present day, and the mother of 
that family was a notable example of energy and ability. The 
rugged soil of the farm required constant labor to render it pro- 
ductive, and it was from this source that the wants of a grow- 
ing family were to be met. Order, industry and economy ruled 
in this household, and, while training her children in these 
respects, Mrs. Sawyer also brought them up in the fear and 
admonition of the Lord, thus sowing early the seeds of useful- 
ness and power. The educational advantages of Salisbury were 
mostly limited to the schools kept in winter, but generally 
closed in summer. The eldest son, Moses, and the youngest, 
Nathaniel, the subject of this sketch, early developing a taste 
for study, were placed at different times under the care of Rev. 
Dr. Samuel Wood, an eminent Congregational clergyman, of 
Boscawen, who received boys into his family and fitted them 
for Dartmouth College. Aside from the mental training there 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 745 

received, the pupils were instructed in the first principles of 
New England theology. 

"While under the care of Dr. Wood, Mr. Sawyier's religious 
impressions were developed and the fervent piety that pervaded 
his after life and character may be traced back to this period. 
His habit of daily reading and studying the scriptures, his strict 
observance of the Sabbath, his lofty integrity and strictness of 
morals, were due in a great measure to the teachings of this 
worthy divine. 

"Mr. Sawyier graduated at Dartmouth College in 1805, and 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge Samuel 
Green, of Concord, and completed the course two years after in 
the office of Joseph Story, of Salem, Mass. He was admitted 
to the Massachusetts bar March 11, 181 1, and to practice in 
the Circuit Court of the United States Oct. 15, 1812. He first 
located in Newburyport, but removed soon after to Boston. In 
1813 he left with two or three others for Le.\ington, Kentucky, 
where they remained. He settled at Frankfort in the same 
state, and there continued his professional labors for eight 
years. 

"His practice was largely confined to land suits and claims, 
and he was often employed by soldiers to obtain patents and 
warrants from the government. At that early day it was cus- 
tomary for lawyers to receive portions of the lands for fees, 
upon the adjustment of the claims or the location and survey 
of the lands. In this way Mr. Sawyier became the owner of 
large tracts in what was known as the Virginia Military Dis- 
trict of Ohio, lying between the Scioto and Miami rivers. 

"On the 1 2th of September, 1821, Mr. Sawyier was married 
to Mrs. Pamela Anderson Bacon, widow of Col. Edward Bacon, 
an officer in the war of 18 12. The following October he re- 
moved to Chillicothe, Ohio, which was his residence until 1S39. 
These last eighteen years cover a period of active, laborious, 
professional life. At its expiration the successful results of 
this care and diligence enabled him to retire from the active 
duties of his profession. Desiring the advantages of a city life, 
he removed to Cincinnati, where he ever after resided, and 



746 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

died, after a protracted illness, on the third day of October, 

1853- 

"In politics Mr. Savvyier was a whig ; and, later on, an ardent 
free soiler. His hatred of human slavery dated from the time 
of his residence in Kentucky, and he stood by his convictions 
with the steadfastness of his Puritan ancestry. He was a sin- 
cere friend and supporter of Daniel Webster. Connected by 
blood on the mother's side, playmates in boyhood and compan- 
ions in college, although not classmates, they continued their 
friendship by personal intercourse and by correspondence until 
Mr. Webster died.* 



^DANIEL WEBSTER S AUNT RUTH. 

[Taken in substance from the recollections of Mrs. Betsey Webster, who died at Palmyra, N. Y., in 

1880, aged 87 years.] 

Daniel Webster was the son of Ebenezer Webster by his second wife, Abigail 
Eastman. This second wooing came about on this wise. For a long time Capt. 
Ebenezer Webster, the bereaved husband, took upon himself the double respon- 
sibility which the death of his first wife had imposed. But between the labors 
of a frontier farm and the oversight of his family, matters went from bad to worse. 
One day everything about the house seemed to rush to a climax of confusion. 
The children frollicked and rollicked; the quick-witted Joe tapped the cask of me- 
theglin in the cellar, and his young brain was fired — " 'twas destruction before and 
sorrow behind." Capt. Webster had calmly and boldly confronted the enemy at 
Ticonderoga and Crown Point, at White Plains and Bennington. But now he was 
baffled, conquered. With his minute-men he had guarded Gen. Washington's per- 
son and camp on Dorchester Heights and at West Point. But his own camp he 
could neither guard nor regulate. 

The distracted father silently removed his hat from the peg, walked out the 
door and took the cross-road southward to the house of his brother, William Web- 
ster, whose farm joined his own. It was situated one-third of the way up the east- 
ern slope of Searles Hill, the highest eminence save Kearsarge in the town of Salis- 
bury, New Hampshire. Capt. Webster had often been cheered by the sympathy 
and advice of "Aunt Ruth," as the children called her, his brother William's wife. 
She was to him a true sister. He entered the door, the picture of despondency. 
The worthy matron sat bolt upright spinning fia.x. At the sight of that dejected 
face, she shoved aside the little wheel and placed a high-backed kitchen chair for 
her brother. Her first salutation was, " Eben, what is the trouble .-" " He prefaced 
a graphic recital of the horrors of his domestic condition with these words: 
" Everything, Ruth is going heads and hauls at home. I can't stand it any longer." 

Pity marked the lines of her face as she listened. When he had finished she 
did not at once reply, but gazed solemnly with a faraway look out of the south 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 747 

•* Mr. Sawyier was also a staunch advocate of education. In 
the early settlement of Ohio, he felt that the first step in the 
laying out of a town, after the location of the church, was to 
establish that of the schoolhouse. He not only gave land for 
this purpose, but he used his influence to bring teachers from 
his loved New England. 

window. Who shall say that her thoughts at that moment were not directed by a 
divine wisdom ? Suddenly a light kindled in her eye which shot a ray of hope 
into his. She drew nearer to him, laid her hand upon his arm, and with a face 
glowing with earnestness and inspiration, said, " Eben, have you never heard of 
Nabby Eastman ? Her mother was Jerusha Fitz, and she is a cousin of Deacon 
Moses Sawyer's wife, who was Anna Fitz. She is a tailoress by trade, and knows 
what life i.s. In every respect she is a most excellent person. She is up from 
down below, visiting her relatives here." Then with emphasis she added, " Eben, 
it's my opinion that Nabby P^astman will make you a good wife, and your children 
a good mother. Go home, put on your Sunday suit, and ride over and see Nabby." 

The broad-shouldered, dark-eyed man, as he left the house saw not the valley 
of the Merrimack, stretching away in its loveliness for miles to the north and the 
south. With quickened step he walked around the high ledge and followed the 
road shaded by the tall, primeval pines, that seemed to whisper to him of a new 
love and the joys of a restored home. He obeyed to the letter the directions given 
him by the sibyl. Like Boaz of old, he did not long rest, but reasoned that "if 
it were well done when 'tis done, then 'twere well it were done quickly." There 
was no undue precipitation, but before many moons had wa.\ed and waned, the 
manly, military figure of Capt. Webster could have been seen on his horse with Miss 
Eastman seated on a pillion behind him on their way to the minister's to be mar- 
ried. The residence of the parson was hard by the meeting-house, near the summit 
of Searles Hill — for in those days "the mountain of the Lord's house was estab- 
lished in the top of the mountains, and was exalted above the hills, and all the peo- 
ple flowed unto it." 

The ceremony over, "down from the mountain crown," where a ladder would 
have been an improvement, they safely wended their way to the home where they 
were to begin anew their journey and their life. As they arrived at the lowly house, 
the little ones were playing around "the banking." The tender father introduced 
the new mother in these simple words, so much like the style of his gifted son» 
" These, A'abby, are my children." 

Aunt Ruth made no mistake in her counsel to her widowed brother in his per- 
plexity. " The children " of Ebenezer Webster's first wife "arose up and called her 
blessed; her husband also, and he praised her." Her features wore the expression 
of strength rather than beauty. The heavy, shaggy eyebrows of her youngest son, 
Daniel, were the transcript of the mother. Her mind was strong, her faith strong. 
At the close of life, her peace in believing was so deep and unrutfled that it forbade 
ecstasy. She survived her husband ten years, and died at the residence of her son, 
Ezekiel Webster, in Boscawen, N. H., in iSi6, aged seventy-six years. — .^V. Y. Evan' 
gelist, March /, iSSj. 



74S HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

" One of his marked characteristics was his firm adherence 
to what in his judgment was right. In his love for civil and 
religious liberty he was a worthy descendant of his Puritan 
ancestors, whose memory he venerated. At the meetings of 
the New England Society, at Cincinnati, he would picture with 
glowing words the lives and deeds of those who, for conscience 
sake, braved the dangers of the sea, the perils and privations of 
the wilderness, and laid deep and strong the foundations of our 
liberties. 

"He was a man of marked presence, commanding figure, and 
possessed of regular features, a fair, florid complexion and blue 
eyes. His abundant brown hair became silvery white in his 
later life and enhanced the dignity of his appearance. Mrs. 
Sawyier lived, in the full enjoyment of all her faculties, until 
March, 1888, and died at the advanced age of ninety-six years." 

His children, all born in Chillicothe, are : 

190-1. Mary Ann Fitz, (7) b. Dec. 27, 1S22. (70) VII. 

191-2. DeWitt Clinton, (7) b. July 25, 1825. (71) VII. 

192-3. Sally Frances, (7) b. Dec. 29, 1829. (72) VII. 

193-4. Nathaniel I-saac, (7) b. Oct. 29, 1832. (73) VII. 

(36) VI. Ann Sawyer, (73-6) dau. of Moses, {5) was b. June 

21, 1786. She was educated at Salisbury Academy and 
was for several years a teacher. She was married, March 

22, 1820, by Rev. Ebenezer Price, to Capt. Joseph 
Walker, of Concord, where she died Dec. 25, 1824. Her 
children : 

194-1. Joseph Burbeen, (7) b. June 12, 1822. (74) VII. 
195-2. Anna Burbeen, (7) b. Dec. 24, 1S24 ; d. Jan. 5, 1825. 

{37) VI. Sarah Sawyer, (74-7) daughter of Moses, (5) born 
June 5, 1789; m. Sewell Fifield, of Salisbury, a cabinet 
maker. 

(38) VI. Betsey Sawyer, (75-8) dau. of Moses, (5) was b. 
May 17, 1793. She m. Nov. i, 1815, Nathaniel Webster, 
a merchant, of Boscawen Plain, who was b. Feb. 15, 1781, 
and died Aug. 8, 1828. Children : 

196-1. Betsey Sawyer, (7) b. Feb. 20, 1S17; d. Sept. 8, 1S25. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 749 

197-2. Nathaniel Sawyer, (7) b. May II, iStS. (75) VII. 
19S-3. William, (7) b. Feb. 20, 1821 ; d. Aug. 8, 1826. 
199-4. Ann Ruth, (7) b. Nov. 26, 1S23. (76) VII. 

Immediately after her marriage Mrs. Webster removed 
to Boscawen, where she lived until 1862, when she went 
to Palmyra, N. Y., to reside with her daughter, Mrs. 
Horace Eaton. She was a woman of commanding pres- 
ence, of marked mental vigor and of great intelligence. 
Her broad common sense never forsook her, and when, 
at the age of thirty-five, by the death of her husband, the 
sole care of her family and estate devolved upon her, she 
assumed unhesitatingly her new duties and discharged 
them with signal ability. She lived and died a firm be- 
liever in the old Puritan doctrines in which she had been 
reared. She never lacked the courage of her convictions 
and would have firmly walked to the stake had duty 
called her there. Her pastor. Rev. Warren H. Landon^ 
said of her at her funeral : "She was a type of the New 
England woman of the past. Where can another such 
countenance as that be found ? It often seemed to me 
as I looked into .her grand old face as if she were one 
who had lived in the far past and had been saved to 
show us the good of the past and to teach us to live as 
well as our fathers." She died Oct. 20, 1880, aged 87 
years. How appropriate the words of one who appre- 
ciated her excellencies : 

" How fit that such a life, so full. 
So rounded, so complete, should close 
When Autumn crowns the fruitful year, 
And burdened nature seeks repose." 



SEVENTH GENERATION. 

(39) VII. David Sawyer, (83-1) married Deborah Knowles, 
of Northwood. Children : 

200-1. Oilman, (S). 
201-2. Emeline, (S). 
202-3. I'erry, (8). 



750 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(40) VII. JosiAH Sawyer, (84-2) married Joanna Sanborn, of 

Kingston, N. H. Children : 

203-1. Angeline, (S). 

204-2. Almira, (8) m. Edward Bartlett, of Lee, N. H. 

205-3. t'rank, (8) lives in Lee, N. H. 

(41) VII. John Sawyer, (85-3) b. March 16, 1801 ; married 

Clarissa Chesley, dau. of Thomas Chesley, of Durham, 
April 19, 1826, and settled near the base of Saddleback 
mountain, where B. D. Smith resides. Children : 

206-1. Hannah S., (8) b. April 4, 1827 ; m. Francis G. Beane, June 25, 1846; lives 

in Manchester, N. H., and has one child, Emma F., (9) b. Oct. 23, 184S. 
207-2. Ezra A. J. Sawyer, (S) b. Nov. 3, 1S2S. (77) VIIL 

(42) VII. Jefferson Sawyer, (88-6) m. Jane Knowles, dau. 

of Jonathan Knowles, of Northwood, N. H. Lives in 
Lee, N. H., near Wadleigh's Falls. Children : 

208-1. Francena J., (8) m. John P. Eaton and lives in Nebraska. 

209-2. Arabelle, (8). 

210-3. Hattie Beecher, (8). 

21 1-4. Charles, (8). 

(43) VII. John Sawyer Palmer, (98-2) son of Jemima Saw- 

yer Palmer, m. ist, Sophia Magoon. Child: 

2I2-I. Sophia S., (8). 

Married, 2d, Miriam French. Children : 

213-2. Miriam, (8) m. Stephen Courier. 
214-3. Betsey, (8) m. Jacob Pillsbury. 
215-4. Jacob, (8) died young. 
216-5. Louisa, (8) m. — Davis. 

217-6. Sarah, (8) m. — Leavitt. Children: ist, Almira, (9) 2d, George, (9) 3d, 
John, (9) 4th, James, (9) 5th, Lydia, (9) 6th, Sarah, (9). 

(44) VII. Sarah Sawyer, (120 5) dau. of Jeremiah Sawyer, (6) 

m. Rev. William Douglas, of Providence, R. I. Children : 

218-1. Sarah A., (S). 

219-2. Francis Wayland, (8). 

220-3. -^"" ^- Ives, (B). 

221-4. Charles, (8). 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 751 

(45) VII. John Courier, {122-1) son of Hannah Sawyer 

Courier, b. 1796, d. Jan. 29, 1852; m. ist, Mary Ann 
Colby, b. 1798, d. March 3, 1850. Children : 

222-1. Charles Edson, (S) b. in 1S22 ; m. Lucinda Graves. Children: ist, George, 

(9) 2d, Charles M., (9). 
223-2. Almira, (S) b. in April, 1S24, unm. 
224-3. Almond, (S) b. in August, iS2~, unm. 

(46) VII. Hannah Courier, (123-2) b. 1798; married Moses 

Paine, farmer, of Hardwick, Vt. Child : 

225-1. Prin, (S) b. in November, 1S20; m. Abigail Colby, of Orange, Vt., b. in 179S, 
d. March 3, 1S50. Children : ist, Helen A., (9) 2d, Plant Sawyer, (9) b. in 
May, 1822. m. Sarah S. Townsend, 3d, Lydia, (9) b. in 1826, 4th, Eliza 
A., (9) b. in 1S32, 5th, Emily, (9) b. in 1S38. 

(47) VII. Nancy Courier, (125-4) dau. of Hannah Sawyer 

Courier, (6) b. Aug. 31, 1801 ; m. Lynds Luther, farmer, 
of Corinth, Vt. Children : 

226-1. Saloma, (S) b. Feb. 12, 1S23, unm. 

227-2. Benjamin, (S) b. Sept. 30, 1S24; m. Jerusha Richardson. 

22S-3. Lucy Ann, (8) b. Dec. 28, 1S31. 

(48) VII. Richard Sawyer Courier, (126-5) farmer, b. June 

22, — ; m. Fanny R. Pratt, b. Oct. 20, 1809. Children : 

229-1. Fidelia R., (8) b. Dec. 23, 1833, unm. 

230-2. Charles, (8) b. Aug. 25, 1836. 

231-3. Fanny E. L., (8) b. Oct. 30, 1847. 

232-4. Ella Victoria, (8) b. Oct. 2, 1851. 

(49) VII. Lucinda Courier, (127-6) b. March 17, 1805, d. 

in November, 1843 : m. Anson Wood, of Topsham, Vt., 
b. in 1805. Children : 



233--' 
234-2 
235-3 
236-4 
237--5 
23S-6 



Cynthia, (S) died young. 
Sylvanus G., (S) b. in March, 1S30. 
Lucy A., (8) b. in May, 1S32. 
Luther J., (8) b. in -August, 1S34. 
Lucetta T., (S) b. in 1S35. 
Lucinda \V., (8) died young. 



(50) VII. Sabin Courier, (128-7) farmer, b. March 29, 1807; 
m. Almyra Richardson, Feb. 4, 18 — Children : 

239-1. Mary Jane, (S) h. Aug. 31, 1S33. 



752 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

240-2. Rosilla, (S) b. April 2S, 1837; d. March 11, 1839. 
241--3. Pascal \X., (S) b. Feb. 27, 1842. 

(51) VII. Susan Courier, (129-8) b. in January, 1809; m. 
Samuel Richardson, farmer, of Barre, Vt., born in 1805. 
Children : 



242-1. 


Fidelia, (8). 


243-2. 


Luther, (8). 


244-3- 


Almira, (8). 


245-4. 


Caroline, (8). 


246-5. 


Betsey, (8). 


247-6. 


Warren F., (8) 



{52) VII, James MuNROE Courier, (132-11) b. July 28, 1817; 
m. Olive Hutchinson, Children : 

24S-T. Marietta C, (8). 

249-2. Harriet, (8). 

250-3. Oramel, (8), 

251-4. Dana, (8). 

252-5. Sarah, (8). 

(53) VII, Otis Sawyer, (145-3) b. Feb. 17, 1813 ; m. ist, 

Mary Ann Bickford, b. in February, i8i3,d. in October, 
1842, Children: 

253-1. Ira, (8). 
254-2. Dana, (8). 

2d, married Caroline Rowe. Child : 

255-3. Clara, (8). 

(54) VII. Almira Sawyer, (148-6) born Sept. 13, 1817; m. 



Daniel Fitz, farmer, Washington, Vt. Children : 

Mary Jane, (8). 
Julia Ann, (8). 
Lucia, (8). 
Monroe, (8). 
Emeline, (8). 



256-1 
257.-2, 
258-3 
259-4 
260-5 

(55) VII, William Sawyer, (163-2) married Betsey Courier. 
Children : 

261-1. Mary, (8). 

262-2. Arthur, (8). 

263-3. Clarinda, (8). 

264-4. Oliver, (8). 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 753 

(56.) VII. Caroline Sawyer, (173-1) the oldest daughter of 
Rev. Moses Sawyer, was born at Henniker, N. H., May 
28, 1804, and married Sept. 5, 1826, to Rev. Daniel Fitz, 
D. D., of Ipswich, Mass. Children : 

265-1. Sarah .\dams, (S) b. June 30, 1S27. (74) VIL 

266-2. George Currier, (S) b. April 14, 1830. (78) VIII. 

267-3. Louise Adams, (8) b. May 17, 1S33; died Oct. 17, 1847. 

26S-4. Caroline Frances, (S) b. Aug. 14, 1837. (79) VIII. 

269-5. t)aniel Francis. (S) b. Aug. 14, 1S37. (80) VIII. 

Mrs. Fitz, who possessed high mental endowments com- 
bined with great sweetness of disposition and much 
social culture, died at Ipswich, Jan. 10, 1862, aged fifty- 
seven years. A fuller account of Mrs. Fitz may be found 
in the History of Essex County, Mass. Rev. Daniel 
Fitz, D. D., the son of Currier and Sarah (George) Fitz, 
was of the sixth generation in descent from Robert Fitz,. 
of Ipswich, Mass., the first Anglo-American ancestor of 
all the Fitz families in the United .States. He was born 
at Sandown, N. H., May 28, 1795, but in infancy removed 
with his parents to Derry, N. H. He graduated at Dart- 
mouth College in 18 18, and after serving for one term as 
assistant teacher in Pinkerton Academy, Derry, went to 
Salisbury, N. H., and was for two years principal of the 
academy of that town. At the expiration of this period 
he accepted an invitation to take charge of the Academy 
of Marblehead, Mass., where he remained a year and a 
half, and left to enter Andover Theological Seminary, 
from which he graduated in 1825. On the 26th of June 
of the next year he was ordained and installed colleague 
of Rev. Joseph Dana, D. D., and assistant pastor of 
the second Congregational church, of Ipswich. Dr. 
Dana died in 1827, and from that time onward to his 
resignation in 1867 Mr. Fitz was sole pastor of that 
church. He subsequently continued his residence in 
Ipswich, without clerical charge. He was married a 
second time to Mrs. H. B. D. Howman, who survived 
him. Dr. Fitz was a good scholar and was honored by 
48 



754 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

his alma mater in 1862 by its degree of D. D. Besides 
being an acceptable preacher, earnest, lucid, eloquent at 
times and always judicious, he was a devoted pastor. 
While holding firmly the doctrines of his denomination 
he entertained a broad liberality for all such as differed 
from him in religious views. He died Sept. 2, 1869, and 
was buried from the church in which he had ministered 
so long, the services being largely conducted by his 
friend, the Rev. John Pike, D. D., of Rowley, Mass. 

(57) VII. Livonia Sawyer, (174-2) daughter of Rev. Moses 

Sawyer, was born at Henniker, N. H., May 18, 1806. 
She married Capt. C. T. Bayley, for many years a ship- 
master, but during the latter part of his life in business 
in Boston. She had one child : 

270-1. Francis T., (S) b. Aug. 19, 1S46. (S3) VIII. 

(58) VII. Cassandra Sawyer, (175-3) daughter of Rev. Moses 

Sawyer, was born at Henniker, N. H., June 4, 1809. 
She was educated at Ipswich Female Seminary, under 
Miss Grant and Miss Lyon. She professed religion at 
Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1829, and was married at Glouces- 
ter, Mass., Sept. 22, 1833, to Rev. Jesse Lockwood, who 
was born at North Salem, Westchester county, N. Y., 
Nov. II, 1802. He graduated at Williams College in 
1830 and afterwards studied divinity two years at Prince- 
ton and one year at New Haven. Subsequently becom- 
ing a missionary to the Cherokee Indians, he lived at 
Dwight Mission, in Arkansas, where he died July 11, 
1834. Mrs. Lockwood returned to her father's home the 
next year, making the long journey first in Indian 
canoes, and subsequently by such slow conveyances as 
the time and the locality traversed afforded, reaching 
home April 14, 1835, having borne in her arms the long 
way her only child. She died June 23, 1840. During 
the last year of her life she was unable to speak an 
audible word. She had one child : 

271-1. Jesse Dwight, (S) b. Aug. iS, 1S34. (84) VIII. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHV 755 

(59) VII. Moses Kimball Sawvek, (176-4) son of Rev. Moses 

Sawyer, was born at Henniker, N. li., July 7, 1812. He 
married Oct. 7, 1844, Caroline Kimball, daughter of 
Benjamin Kimball, of Boscawen, N. H. He was a tan- 
ner in early life and lived for a time in Peabody, Mass, 
He subsequently engaged in the grocery business, living 
at Concord, N. H., and at Portland, Me., at the latter of 
which he died Jan. 7, 1875. Children : 

272-1. .ALiry Frances, (S) 1). July 23, 1S45. (Si) VIIL 
273-2. Louise Kimball, (S) b. Aug. 25, 1S47. (82) VIIL 

(60) VII. Hannah Sawyer, (177-1) daughter of Isaac Fitz 

Sawyer, was born in January, 1805, and married Feb. 28, 
1827, to Royal Choate, of Choate's Hill, Boscawen, N. 
H. Shed. July 31, 1833. Children: 

274-1. David S., (S) born Nov. 28, 1827; died Feb. 22, 1S33. 
275-2. Samuel, (8) b. Feb. 24, 1S30. (85) VIIL 
276-3. Nancy J., (8) b. Nov. 5, 1832. (86) VIIL 

{61) VII. Fanny Sawyer, (178-2) daughter of Isaac Fitz 
Sawyer, was married Feb. 9, 1831, to Uri Perley, of En- 
field, N. H., who died April 27, 1S87, aged eighty-three. 
Children : 

277-1. John Quincy, (S) b. Nov. 27, 1831. (87) VIIL 

27S-2. Rebecca Sawyer, (8) b. Dec. S, 1836. (88) VIIL 

279-3. Isaac Newton, (8) b. Jan. 17, 1839. (89) VIIL 

2S0-4. Moses Sawyer, (8) b. March 31, 1842. (90) VIIL 

(62) VII. Amanda Malvina Sawyer, (180-4) daughter of 
Isaac Fitz Sawyer, of Salisbury, born in February, 1809; 
married Thomas W. Wilson, M. D., of Salisbury, and d, 
Sept. 19, 1S82, at Ohio Township, St. Clair county, 
Missouri. Dr. Wilson died at Salisbury, April 13, 1861, 
aged 55 years. Children : 

281-1. Moses Sawyer, (S) b. Nov. 21, 1S35. (102) VIIL 

282-2. Mary Ann, (8) b. Dec. 7, 1S37 ; was married Oct. 21, 1S72, to Rev. Isaac 
Newton Locke, who died Feb. 2, 1882. Mrs. Locke resides at Akron, O. 

2S3-3. George T., (8) b. May 31, 1841. (103) VIIL 

284-4. Francis S., (8) b. Jan. 19, 1845. (104) VIIL 

2S5-5. Ellen Amanda, (8) b. Feb. 23, 1S49. Resides at Ohio, St. Clair Co., Mo. 

2S6-6. Abbic Jane, (S) b. Sept. 14, 1S52. Resides at Ohio, St. Clair Co., Mo. 



756 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(63) VII. Isaac Newton Sawyer, (18 1-5) son of Isaac Fitz 

Sawyer, of Salisbury, was born April 5, 181 1. He was 
married Jan. 22, 1834, to Abigail M. Chellis, of Plain- 
, field, N. H., born April 30, 18 10. She died April 15, 
i860. He was married a second time, Jan. i, 1861, to 
B, Jane L. Hoit, daughter of Gorham W. Hoit, of Lee, 
N. H. Children : 

2S7-1. Leander Newton, (S) b. Dec. 13, 1S61. 
2SS-2, Gorham Hoit, (8) b. June 15, 1S66. 

Mr. Sawyer, as well as his brothers living in Salisbury 
and vicinity, has during his entire life been largely inter- 
ested in merino sheep husbandry. Thorough masters of 
the business, they have all bred excellent animals and 
produced large quantities of fine merino wool. Their 
facilties for the prosecution of this business have been 
peculiar, as they have not only good upland farms, but 
extensive pastures upon the southerly and easterly slopes 
of Kearsarge mountain. 

(64) VII. Nathaniel Sawyer, Deacon, (183-7) son of Isaac 

Fitz Sawyer, of Salisbury, was born Sept. 14, 18 14. He 
married, ist. May 12, 1840, Lucy H. Wood, daughter of 
Capt. Ephraim Wood, of Lebanon, N. H. She was born 
Dec. 6, 1816, and died April 19, 1863. Children : 

2S9-1. Lucy Ann, (S) born Oct. 15, 1S41. She married Oct. 15, 1873. George 
Little, of Webster, N. H. They had one child, George Sawyer, who was 
born June iS, 1880, and died April 6, 1882. She died Aug. 22, 18S0. 

29C-2. Mary Rebecca, (8) b. Oct. 22, 1843. She married Aug. 31, 1SS2, George 
Little, of Webster, N. H. 

291-3. Charles Henry, (8) born Oct. 4, 184S; is a civil engineer and was married 
Jan. 23, 18S1, to Eva M. Davison, of Empire Prairie, Mo., and lives in 
Stanbury, Mo. Child: Charles Nathaniel, (9) b. Oct. 2, 1887. 

292-4. Fannie Elizabeth, (S) b. June 20, 1S54. 

293-5. Caroline Wood, (8) b. Jan. 16, 1S57. 

294-6. Martha Louise, (8) b. Oct. 30, 1S59. (100) VHL 

Mr. Sawyer was married a second time to Mary Ann- 
Wood, sister of his first wife, Jan. 23, 1S66. Child : 

295-7. Edward Nathaniel, (8) b. June 29, 1S67. 




NATHANIKl. SAWYHK. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 757 

Mr. Sawyer was a successful farmer and lived on the 
family homestead, where his grandfather settled upon 
coming to Salisbury more than a hundred years ago. 
His townsmen conferred upon him various public trusts, 
and the Congregational church elected him a deacon, 
April 28, 1S60. He d. Dec. i, 1885. 

{65) VH. Daniel Fitz Sawyer, (184-8) son of Isaac Fitz 
Sawyer, was born Feb. 29, 1S20. He was a farmer and 
always resided in Salisbury. Jan. 8, 1846, he married 
Mary Ann, daughter of Rev. William DeMerritt, of 
Durham, N. H. She was born in September, 18 15, and 
died Nov. 11, 1863. Mr. Sawyer died May 22, 1878. 
Children : 

C96-1. Nancy Rebecca, (S) b. in October, 1S50; d. in December, 1S70. 

297--2. Isaac Fitz, (S) b. Feb. 16, 1S54. Is an attorney at law, Cambridge. Mass. 

{66) Vn. Francis Brown Sawyer, (185-9) son of Isaac Fitz 
Sawyer, was born April 14, 1823, and married Sept. 
II, 185 I, to Ellen, daughter of Deacon Enoch Little, of 
Webster, N. H., who d. Oct. 5, 1870. Children : 

29S-1. Mary Frances, (S) b. May 2S, 1S53. 

299-2. Sarah Ellen, (S) b. Dec. 25, 185S. 

300-3. Emma Elvira, (8) b. April 10, 1S61. 

301-4. Hermon Little, (8) b. April 25, 1S65. 

302-5. Louisa Jane, (8) b. July 14, 1S6S; d. Jan. 6, 1870. 

Mr. Sawyer soon after his marriage settled at Little's 
hill, in Webster, where he still resides. He is a prom- 
inent man in his town and has held various positions of 
trust. July 5, 1846, previous to his removal to Webster, 
he was elected a deacon of the Salisbury Congregational 
church. 

(67) VII. Betsey Pettengill, (186-1) daughter of Polly Saw- 
yer Pettengill, was born Nov. 6, 1799. She m. in 1S16, 
Benjamin Pettengill, of Salisbury, who was b. Sept. 17, 
1789, and graduated at Middlebury College, Vt., in 1S12. 
He lived in Salisbury and followed farming. Hed. Dec. 
6, 1873. His wife d. April 26, 1883. Children : 



760 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Haven, and died at St. Croix, West Indies, Dec. 5, 1852. 
Children : 

321-1. William Horace, (8) b. June 5, 1850; died in September, 1S50. 
322-2. George Augustus, (S) b. Sept. 22, 1S51 ; died in August, 1852. 
323-3. Williemena H., (8) b. Jan. 30, 1S53. (9S) VIII. 

She married, second, April 5, 1859, Lebeus C. Chapin, 
of New Haven, who was born at Gilbertsville, Otsego 
county. New York. He was fitted for college at Mun- 
son, Mass., and graduated at Yale College in 1852. Hav- 
ing served for a time as tutor in that institution, he 
studied medicine and graduated from its Medical School 
in the spring of 1864. He entered the United States 
army and in 1865 had charge of the general hospital, at 
Beaufort, S. C. In 1S67 he removed with his family to 
Kalamazoo, Mich., where he d. Nov. 21, 1885. Children 
of Dr. and Mrs. Chapin : 

324-4. Fitz Henry, (8) b. Feb. 2, 1862. Now in business in Kalamazoo, Mich. 

325-5. Fanny Anderson, (8) b. Nov. 21, 1863. 

326-6. Mary Bell, (8) b. Nov. 3, 1866. 

327-7. Helen Maude, (8) b. July 10, 1868. 

(73.) VII. Nathaniel J. Sawyier, Dr., (193-4) was born at 
Chillicothe, Ohio, Oct. 29, 1832. He received his ad- 
vanced academical education largely at Phillips Exeter 
Academy and at Brown University. He graduated in 
medicine at the Ohio Medical School in 1857. The year 
following he went to Valparaiso, South America, and for 
a time had charge of the United States marine hospital 
in that city. In the fall of i860 he returned to this 
country and on the 9th day of January, 1861, he was 
married to Helen Wingate, daughter of Henry Win- 
gate, Esq., of Frankfort, Kentucky, who was born June 
23, 1839. In 1862 he removed to his farm. Table Rock, 
in Madison county, Ohio, where he practiced his pro- 
fession and managed his land. In 1871 he settled at 
Frankfort, where he has since resided in an old-fashioned 
Kentucky home, whose traditions and associations he 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 761 

preserves with much care, while pursuin;:^ his profession 
and answering many other calls public and private upon 
his time. Children : 

32S-1. Lilian, (S) b. in Frankfort, March 5, 1862. 

329-2. Henry Wingate, (S) b. in Franlifort, April 14, 1863. 

330-3. Paul, (8) b. at Table Rock, Lafayette township, Madison county, Ohio, 

March 23, 1S65. 
331-4. Natt., (8) b. at Table Rock, Dec. 14, 1S66; d. Dec. 17, 1866. 
332-5. Natalie, (8) b. at Table Rock, Feb. 19, 1869. 
333-6. Mary Campbell, (S) born at Georgetown, -Scott county, Kentucky, Nov. 30, 

1S70. 
334-7. Robert ^Vingate, (8) b. at Frankfort, April 3, 188 1 ; died at .Staunton, Va., 

July 28, 1883. 

'{74) VII. Joseph Burbeen Walker, (194-1) was born at 
Concord, N. H., June 12, 1822. Fitted for college large- 
ly at Phillips Exeter Academy, and graduated at Yale 
in 1844. He studied law in the office of Hon. Charles 
H. Peaslee, of Concord, and was admitted to the New 
Hampshire bar in March, 1847. He married, ist. May 
5, 1847, Sarah Adams Fitz, (265-1) daughter of Rev. Dr. 
Daniel Fitz, of Ipswich, Mass. She was born June 30, 
1827, and was educated partly at Ipswich, in the Female 
Seminary of Rev. Dr. Cowles, and partly at Esse.x, 
Mass., in the school of Hon. David Choate. She died 
Nov. 21, 1844. Mr. Walker married, 2d, May i, 1850, 
Elizabeth Lord Upham, daughter of Hon. Nathaniel G. 
Upham, of Concord, who was born Aug. 18, 1830, and 
educated partly at Concord and partly at Bradford ( Mass.) 
Academy. Children : 

335-1. Charles Rumford, (S) born Feb. 13, 1852, was fitted for college at Phil- 
lips Kxeter Academy, and graduated at Vale in 1874. He pursued his 
medical studies at the Harvard Medical School, from which he graduated 
in 1S77. Afterwards he was for a year and a half an interne of the Hoston 
city hospital, and subsequently, for about two years, he pursued post- 
graduate studies at Dublin, Vienna, and .Strasbourg, in Kuropc. He is 
now settled in practice at Concord, N. H. (loS) IX. 

336-2. Susan Purbeen, (S) born June 27, 1S53. She was married Nov. 14, 1SS2, to 
Charles M. Gilbert. (loDVHL 

337-3. Nathaniel Upham, (S) born Jan. 14, 1855. He was fitted for college at 
Andover ( Mass.) Academy, and graduated at Vale in 1877. He after- 
wards studied law at the Harvard Law School, and in the office of Jewell, 



762 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Field & Shepard, Boston, and was admitted to the Suffolk bar in January, 
1880. He is now in active practice in Boston. He was married June 6, 
1888., to Helen F. Dunklee, of Boston. 

338-4. Mary Bell, (S) a child of great personal beauty and promise, was born Sept. 
15, 1856, and died Feb. 2, 1S67. 

339-5. Eliza Lord Walker, (8) was born Jan. 4, 1S63, and has received her educa- 
tion partly at Concord and partly at Andover (Mass.) Female Seminary. 

340-6. Joseph Timothy, born Dec. 12, 1865, was educated at Concord and at Phil- 
lips Exeter Academy. He now resides in Savannah, Ga. 

(75) VII. Nathaniel Sawyer Webster, (197-2) was born 
May II, 18 18, and received his education at Boscawen 
and Pembroke academies. He has always lived in Bos- 
cawen and followed farming. One of its substantial cit- 
izens, he cheerfully cooperates in all the good enter- 
prises of his native town, which he represented in the 
state legislature in 1876 and 1877. At the sesqui-cen- 
tennial celebration of its settlement he was president of 
the day. He married, July 2, 1846, Lucy Ann Lord, dau. 
of Edward D. Lord, then of Epsom, N. H. Children : 

341-1. Edward Lord, b. Aug. 24, 1847 ! d. Feb. 15, 1S52. 
342-2. Julia Appleton, (8) b. April i, 1853. (99) VHL 

343-3. Charles Irving, (8) b. Jan. 6, 1856. Is a teacher at East Orange, N. J. 
(109) IX. 

{"jG) VII. Ann Ruth Webster, (199-4) was born at Boscaw- 
en, N. H., Nov. 26, 1823, and graduated at INIount Hol- 
yoke Female Seminary in 1842. For two years afterwards 
she was a teacher in that institution and was married 
Aug. 18, 1845, to Rev. Horace Eaton. Children: 

344-1. Horace Webster, (8) b. June 28, 1846. Yale College, 1S70; Law School, 

Washington, D. C, 1884. 
343-2. John Spaulding, (8) b. Aug. 27. r84S; d. at Palmyra, N. Y., July 4, 1868. 
346-3. Anna Sawyer, (8) b. April 21, 1851 ; d. at Palmyra, Sept. 11, 1853. 
347-4. Mary Sawyer, (8) b. Dec. 19, 1853. Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary, 1876. 
348-5. Elizabeth Webster, (8) b. March 25, 1857. Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary, 

1878. 

Mrs. Eaton possesses a fine mind, which has been thor- 
oughly trained. Her published writings evince marked 
literary ability. Her husband. Dr. Eaton, was born at 
Sutton, N. H., Oct. 7, 1810. He graduated at Dart- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 763 

mouth College in 1839, ^^^ ^^ Union Theological Sem- 
inary in 1842. He was soon after ordained and settled 
over the sixth Presbyterian church in New York city, 
where he remained until 1849, when he removed with 
his family to Palmyra, N. Y., and was installed over the 
Presbyterian church of Palmyra. He continued pastor 
of that church for thirty years. He resigned in 1879 
and was never afterwards settled, but supplied the pulpit 
of the Congregational church of Marion, N. Y., a town 
within easy reach of his residence, until his death, which 
occurred Oct. 21, 1883, and closed a continuous proclam- 
ation of the gospel for forty-two years. For a full 
account of his life see memoir of her husband, prepared 
by Mrs. Eaton. 



EIGHTH GENERATION. 

(7 J) Vni. Ezra A. J. Sawyer, (207-2) born Nov. 3, 1828, 
was married May 24, 1853, to Sarah Collins, daughter of 
Joseph Bean and Lydia H. Collins, daughter of the late 
Samuel Collins. He lives at Deerfield Parade, was a 
member of the New Hampshire legislature in 1865 and 
1866, and has been a deputy sheriff for many years. 
Children : 

349-1. Frederick B., (9) b. .\pril 16, 1S54. Lives at Dubuque, Iowa. 
350-2. John F., (9) b. March 2, 1S56. Lives at Dubuque, Iowa. 
351-3. Mabel J., (9) b. April 11, 1S61. 

(78) Vni. George Currier Fitz, (266-2) born April 14, 
1830, was married Feb. 9, 1854, to Mary Buck Crofut, of 
Arlington, Vt., born April 22, 1833. He resided in Ips- 
wich, Mass., and was engaged in the express business. 
He died Aug. 9, 1873. Children : 

35J-1. (ieorge Lendrum, (9) d. — 

353-2. Daniel, (9) b. Aug. 15, 1S60. Resides in Ipswich. 



764 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(79) VIII. Caroline Frances Fitz, (26S--4) was born at Ips- 

wich, Mass., Aug. 14, 1837, and educated largely at the 
Ipswich Female Seminary, under the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. 
Cowles. She was married Sept. i, 1858, to Joseph W. 
Woods, Esq., of Boston, who has for many years been 
identified with the wholesale dry goods interest of that 
city. Children : 

354-1. Harriet Appleton, (9) b. June 15, 1859. (105) IX. 

355-2. Caroline Frances, (9) b. July 9, 1S62 ; d. Aug. 17, 1S62. 

356-3. Joseph Fitz, (9) b. Oct. 9, 1S63. 

357-4. James Haughton, (9) b. Nov. 27, 1S64. 

358-5. Arthur Hale, (9) b. Jan. 29, 1S70. 

359-6. Herbert Richardson, (9) b. Oct. 9, 1872. 

(80) VIII. Daniel Francis Fitz, {26g-^) was born Aug. 14, 

1837, and graduated at Harvard College in 1859. He 
studied law and is now a member of the Suffolk bar. 
He was married Oct. 10, 1865, to Mary Frances, daugh- 
ter of William P. Wade, of Somerville, Mass., born Aug. 
23, 1843. Children : 

360-1. Daniel F., (9) b. Nov. 28, 1S70. 
361-2. Mary Wade, (9) b. Dec. 8, 1S71. 

{81) VIII. Mary Frances Sawyer, (272--1) was born in Pea- 
body, Mass., July 23, 1845, and married Oct. 7, 1869, to 
Edward B. Cook, a hardware merchant, of Portland, Me. 
Child : 

362-1. Philip Howard, (9) b. Feb. 2, 1878. 

{82) VIII. Louise Kimball Sawyer, (273-2) was born in 
Salisbury, N. H., Aug. 25, 1847, a'""^! was married June 
16, 1870, to Charles S. Chase, lime and cement merchant, 
Portland, Me. Child : 

363-1. Alice Sawyer, (9) b. Jan. 11, 1S75. 

(83) VIII. Francis T. Bayley, Rev., (270-1) was born in 
Boston, Mass., Aug. 19, 1846, and was married Oct. 22, 
1869, to Julia M. Palmer, of Bath, Me. He is at present 
pastor of the State St. Congregational church, Portland, 
Me. Children : 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 765 

364-1. Dwiglit Smith, (gt b. May 31, 1871. 
365-2. Frank Sawyer, (9) b. May 3, 1874. 
366-3. Julia Fannie, (g) b. May 26, 1S75. 

(84) VIII. Jesse Rossiter Dwight Lockwood, (271--1) son 

of Cassandra Sawyer Lockwood, was born at Dwight 
Station, Arkansas Territory, Aug. 18, 1834. He mar- 
ried Sept. 13, 1864, Clara Maria Lawrence, born at Pep- 
perell, Mass., Dec. 31, 1842. Mr. Lockwood is engaged 
in business in New York, and has one child : 

367-1. Clara Sawyer, (91 b. April 3, iSSi. 

(85) VIII. Samuel Choate, (275--2) is a farmer, living on 

Choate's hill, Boscawen, N. H. He was born Feb. 24, 
1830, and married Caroline M. Perkins, of Georgetown, 
Mass. Children : 

36S-1. Mary H., (9) b. July 20, 1S63, 
369-2. Lizzie M., (9) b. Jan. 10, 1S65. 

(86) VIII. Nanxy J. Choate, (276--3) was born Nov. 5, 1832, 

and married Moses C. Sanborn, a farmer, of Concord, N. 
H. Children : 

370-1. David, (9) b. July 21, 1S56. 

371-2. Xewton Sawyer, (9) b. .\ug. 21, 1S60. 

372-3. Ella Maria, (9) b. March 6, 1.S65. 

373-4. Shaddie, (9) b. March i, 1870; d. May 4, 1S71. 

(87) VIII. John Quincv Pekley, (277--1) was born at Enfield, 

N. H., Nov. 27, 1 83 1, and married Elizabeth Dow Pattee, 
of Canaan, N. H., Oct. i, 1859. Children : 

374-1. Charles Allen, (9) b. .\ug. 6, 1S60. 
375-2. Ida Frances, (9) b. Sept. 28, 1S62. 
376-3. May Bell, (9) b. Oct. 8, 1S66. 

(88) VIII. Rebecca Sawyer Perley, (278-2) was born at 

Enfield, N. H., Dec. 8, 1836, and married Lewis C, Pat- 
tee, of Canaan, N. H., April 15, 1858. Children: 

377-1. NL-iry Elizabeth, (9) b. March 8, 1859. 

37S-2. Fanny Louisa, (9) b. Feb. 8, 1862. 

379-3. Alice Kena, (9) b. Sept. 28, 1S65. 

3S0-4. Fred'k Lewis, (9) b. Oct. 16, 186S. 



766 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

3S1-5. Lillie Rebecca, (9) b. March 2S, 1871 ; d. Jan. 30, 1873. 
382-6. Rose Bell, (9) b. Dec. 10, 1S73; d. Jan. 27, 1S75. 

(89) VIII. Isaac Newton Perley, (279-3) was born Jan. 17, 
1839, ^"d married Kate E. Sturtevant, of Lebanon, N. 
H., Oct. I, 1867. Children : 

3S3-1. Harry Sturtevant, (9) b. Aug. 18, 186S; d. July 28, 1S69. 

3S4--2. Carrie Cole, {9) b. Aug. 20, 1870. 

3S5-3. Charles Raymond, (9) b. March 28, 1875; d. Aug. 19, 1875. 

{90) VI II. Moses Sawyer Perley, (280--4) was born March 
31, 1842, and married Sarah Jane Harris, of Enfield, N. 
H., May 13, 1869. Child: 

386-1. Fanny Sawyer, (9) b. March 13, 1870. 

(91) VIII. Augustus Cesar Pettengill, (303--1) son of 
Benjamin and Betsey Pettengill, was born Nov. 22, 18 17, 
and is a farmer living in Salisbury. He married, ist, on 
the 27th day of January, 1848, Eliza Ann Shaw, who was 
born July 23, 1824, and died Sept. 20, 1868. Children : 

3S7--1. Benjamin Pettengill, (9) b. Feb. 28, 1849. (106) IX. 

388--2. Betsey, (9) b. Jan. 8, 1853. (107) IX. 

389-3. Carrie V., (9) b. Sept. 28, 1855; m. March 6, 1878, Ernest C. Courier. 

390-4. John D., (9) b. Sept. 14, 1859. 

{92) VIII. Daviu Milton Pettengill, (304-2) was born 
Nov. 12, 1 8 19. He married Miranda P. Rice, Feb. 13, 
1846, and died May 8, 1849. Children : 

39I--I. Betsey M., (9) b. Dec. 6, 1846. 

392-2. Vesta Ann, (9) b. May 5, 1S48; m. — Oct. 6, 1S69, and d. Nov. 3, 1870. 

(93) VIII. Benjamin Hale Pettengill, (305-3) was born Jan. 
16, 1824, and married May 2, 1850, Joanna Matthews, 
who was born April 20, 1823. Children : 



393-1 
394-2 
395-3 
396-4 

397--5 



Benjamin F., (9) b. Feb. 27, 1851 ; d. Dec. 14, 1S51. 
Mary Hester, (9) b. Oct. 6, 1852. 
Hattie E., (9) b. Jan. 31, 1855. 
Benjamin, (9) b. May 4, 1857. 
John W., (9) b. April 15, 1S59. 



(94) VIII. John W. Pettengill, Hon. ,(306-4) was born Nov. 
12, 1835. He is a lawyer and lives in Maiden, Mass. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY "J^l 

He married, ist, April 25, 1S66, Margaret Maria Den- 
nett, who was born Oct. 20, 1843, and died Sept. 29, 
1869. Child: 

39S-1. Margaret Hetsey, (9) b. Sept. 21, 1S67. 

Married, 2d, Mary Dennett, May 31, 1871, who d. March 
7, 1872, aged 35 years. He married, 3d, April, 1873, 
Mary Emma Tilton, who d. April 14, 1874. Child : 

399--2. John T., (9) b. April 4, 1S74. 

(95) VHI. Charles Williams Webster, (307--1) was born 

Sept. 14, 1826. He married Jan. 5, 1853, Lucia Maria, 
daughter of John Greenough, of Boscawen, who was born 
Oct. II, 1826. For many years Mr. Webster was a 
wholesale boot and shoe dealer in ]?oston. Of late years 
he has resided upon the Webster homestead in Boscawen. 
Child : 

400-1. Edward, (9) b. Oct. iS, 1S60. 

(96) VHI. Mary Axn Webster, (309--3) was born in July, 

1839. She married Charles E. Johnson, of 13rookline, 
Mass. Children : 

401--1. Robert Webster, (91 b. Sept. 23, 1S67. 
402-2. Philip V. K., (9) b. March 31, 1869. 

(97) VHI. Nathaniel Sawyier Hotchkiss, (313--1) was born 

at New Haven, Conn., April 14, 1842. Was educated 
in New Haven and married Jan. 15, 1868, Frances 
Louise, daughter of James P. Thorndike, Esq., one of the 
solid men of Boston, born Dec. 30, 1847. He lives in 
Boston, and is deeply interested in the highest welfare 
of his adopted city. He is treasurer of the McKay Met- 
allic Fastening Association. Child : 

403--1. Louise Thorndike, {9) b. March 27, 1869. 

(98) VHI. Williemena H. Elliot, (323-3) was born Jan. 30, 

1853. She graduated at Vassar College in 1872, and at 
the Woman's Medical College, New York city, in 1877. 



768 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

On the 26th of December, 1877, she was married ta 
Edward Emerson, M. D., who graduated at Williams 
College in 1865, and is now in the practice of medicine 
at Detroit, Mich. Children : 



404--1. Paul Elliot, (9) b. July 14, iSSo. 
405--2. Philip Low, (9) b. Nov. 7, 18S2. 



(99) VIII. Julia A. Webster, (342-2) was born at Boscawen, 

N. H., April I, 1853, and in 1870 married Clarence F. 
Carrol, who graduated at Yale College in 1881, and is 
now principal of the Connecticut Normal School, at New 
Britain. Children : 

406-1. Stella Webster, (9) b. Aug. 3, 1874. 

407-2. Harry, (9) b. Dec. 28, 18S0. 

408-3. Carl Herman, (9) b. Oct. 10, 1882. 

409-4. Margaret Ethel, (9) b. June 29, 1888. 

(100) VIII. Martha Louise Sawyer, {294-6) daughter of 

Dea. Nathaniel Sawyer, was born at Salisbury, Oct. 30, 
• 1859, and married Sept. 5, 1883, Dr. Frank. A. South- 
wick, of Buxton, Me. Children : 

410-1. Margarett Southwick, (9) b. Oct. 24, 1884. 
411-.2. Katharine Southwick, (9) b. Jan. 10, 18S7. 

(loi) VIII. Susan Burbeen Walker, (336-2) daughter of 
Joseph B. Walker, was born at Concord, N. H., June 27, 
1853, and educated at the school of Rev. George Gan- 
nett, in Boston, Mass. She was married Nov. 14, 1882, 
to Charles M. Gilbert, importer and wholesale grocery 
merchant, of Savannah, Georgia, born July 9, 1844. 
Children : 

412-1. Elizabeth Walker, (9) b. at Concord, Nov. 11, 18S4. 
413-2. Harvey John, (9) b. at Savannah, Feb. 26, 1887. 
414-3. Mary Bell, b. at Concord, Oct. 2, 18S8. 

(102) VIII. Moses Sawyer Wilson, (281-1) son of Amanda 
Malvina Sawyer, was born at Salisbury, N. H., Nov. 21^ 
1835. He graduated at the Harvard Medical School in 
1859, and began the practice of medicine in Warner 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 769 

He married, Nov. 28, 1861, Mary A., daughter of Ira 
Harvey, of Warner. Upon the death of his father, in 
1 861, he removed to Salisbury. In 1863 he entered the 
United States army as a surgeon. Upon his retirement 
from the service, he settled at Griggsville, 111., where he 
died Feb. 26, 1873. Children: 

415-2. Mary Helen, (9) b. Aug. 30, 1S63. 

416-2. Guy Fred, (9) b. Oct. 3, 1S65. 

417-3. George Francis, b. Feb. 8, 186S. 

418-4. Fanny Moses, (9) b. in March, 1873. 

(103) VIII. George T. Wilson, (283-3) son of Amanda Mal- 

vina Sawyer, was born at Salisbury, N. H., May 31, 
1841. He was married March 9, 1875, to Belle Nesbitt, 
of Ohio, St. Clair county, Mo. She died Feb. 16, 1877. 
He resides at Ohio, Mo. Child: 

419-1. Belle F., (9) b. Jan. 30, 1S77. 

(104) VIII. Francis S. Wilson, (284-4) was born Jan. 19, 

1845, and married in 1875, to Fidelia Holden, of Ohio, 
St. Clair county, Mo., where he resides. Children: 

420-1. Lila H., (9) b. July 20, 1S77. 
421-2. Edward, (9) b. Feb. 6, 1881. 
422-3. Newton Locke, (9) b. Sept. 25, 1SS3. 



NINTH generation. 

(105) IX. Harriet Appleton Woods, (354-1) was born June 
I5» 1859, ^"d was married Dec. 11, 1879, ^o Rev. Philo 
W. Sprague, rector of St. John's church, Charlestown, 
Mass. Children : 

423-1. Caroline Woods, (10) b. March 22, iSSi. 
424-2. Maud Woodruff, (10) b. Jan. 28, 1885. 

49 



770 GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 

(io6) IX. Benjamin Pettengill, (386-1) was born at Salis- 
bury, Feb. 28, 1849, where he now resides, and married 
May 13, 1871, Mary Etta Stone, born Aug. 17, 1852. 
Child: 

425-1. Fred Hermon, (lo) b. Dec. iS, 1875. 

(107) IX. Betsey Pettengill, (387-2) was born Jan. 8, 
1853, and married in September, 1874, J. H. Whittaker. 
Child : 

426-1. Betsey Florence, (10) b. Nov. i, 1875. 

(jo8) IX. Charles Rumford Walker, (335-1) married Jan. 
18, 1888, Frances Sheafe, daughter of William Sheafe, 
of Boston. Child : 

427-1. Sheafe, (19) b. Nov. i6, 1888. 

(109) IX. Charles Irving Webster, (343-3) married July 8, 
1886, Abbie Dodd. Child: 

428-1. Alice, (10) b. July 2, 1887. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 7/1 



THE SEARLE FAMILY. 

I, Rev. Jonathan Searle (see Ecclesiastical History) mar- 
ried Mrs. Margaret Toppan, widow of Rev. Amos Toppan, the 
third settled minister of the Congregational church at Kings- 
ton, N. H., where he was ordained August i8, 1762, continuing 
till his death, June 23, 1771, leaving one daughter, Mary, who 
died February 16, 1792. Mrs. Toppan (the common orthogra- 
phy at present being Tappan ) was the third child of Jethro 
Sanborn, Esq., and Elizabeth — . Mr. Sanborn was a sea cap- 
tain and accumulated much property. When the treasury of 
our young republic was depleted and paper money at so great a 
discount during revolutionary times, he lent one-half of his for- 
tune to the government, taking paper money at par value in 
exchange. Of course he never realized anything from it, and 
later in his life said, "I am willing to give all my fortune in a 
just cause." He was the fifth generation from the common 
ancestor and was born March 13, 1720; married September 14, 
1745, Elizabeth Sanborn, and died April 25, 1781. She mar- 
ried (2) — Smith. Mrs. Tappan was baptized November 25, 
1748, and died January 24, 1792. Rev. Mr. Searle died in 
December, 1S18. Children: 

2. Jethro, b. Aug 21, 1776; returned to Sandown, then removed to Vershire, Vt., 

where he m. and d. leaving a son and a daughter. 

3. Elizabeth V., h. May 3, 1778. When a child she fell from an apple-tree, injur- 

ing her hip, and was made a cripple for life. 

4. Amos, b. Nov. 15, 1779. See. 

5. Margaret, b. Feb. 12, 17S2; m. Feb. 13, iSii, Henjamin Rolfe, of Boscawen ; 

d. at Hill, Dec. 27, 1S40. Her husband d. Jan. ro, 1S57. 

6. Isaac, b. Oct. 25, 17S3; removed to .Mbany, X. Y., and engaged in mercantile 

pursuits under the firm name of Erastus Corning & Co. ; d. at C6nway in 
1S31, unm. 

7. Rhoda, b. Nov. 9, 1793; ^- Sept. 6, 1S07, Samuel Page, (see.) It is said she 

was the most beautiful girl b. in Salisbury. 

(4) Amos m. Aug. 21, 181 5, Hannah Hoyt, of Orange. She 
d. May 20, 1847. He remained at the parsonage occu- 



772 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

pied by his father on Searle's hill, entered college, stud- 
ied law, and while standing at the mirror tying his cravat 
was seized with almost total blindness, from which he 
never recovered. He d. July 3, 1830. 

8. James S., b. July 8, 1816; m. (i) Susan Stewart; m. (2) IVIary — and resides in 

Illinois. 

9. Daniel Franklin, b. July 12, 1818; he remained on the farm till 1841, when he 

came to Centre road, purchased the Dea. Amos Pettengill tavern-stand, of 
Ezra Austin, and in 1S57 built the present buildings; m. Dec. 3, 1846, 
Mary, dau. of Samuel and Rachel ( Storer ) Dresser, who was b. at Sutton 
in April, 1814. 
10 and II. Mary and George F., b. Oct. 6, 1848; Mary d. June 9, 1S56. George 
fitted for college at New London, but finding a professional life not suited 
to his taste he went for a year to Boston, Mass., as a clerk, then removed 
to Lowell, where for seven years he was engaged in the sewing machine 
business, afterwards removing to Concord, N, H., which he makes his 
headquarters as the agent for the Domestic Sewing Machine Co. Married 
Dec. 25, 1884, Clara M. Andrews, of Concord. 



THE SEVERANCE FAMILY. 

The first of the name in England is that of John Edmund 
Severance, in Thetford county, Northampton. John Severance 
married Abigail Kimball, at Ipswich, England. In 1635, as 
master of the ship George he brought over a load of emigrants 
for New England, and later settled at Salisbury, Mass. 

1. Benjamin Severance was from Kingston, where he m. Ruth, dau. of William 

Long; he removed to Chester in 1751, where he d. early; she d. in 1816. 
Children : 

2. Joseph, b. in 1746. See. 3, Peter. See. 4. William. See. 

(2) Lieut. Joseph, like many young men at that time, was 
bound out to a man by the name of Stetson, at Dunbar- 
ton, where he remained during his minority. Returning 
to Chester he m. Anna, dau. of Gideon Currier, Sr. 
Leaving his wife and one child he went to New Britain, 
(Andover) his deed of land there bearing date of 1769, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 773 

where he felled trees and built a log house. He then 
went to Chester for his wife and child, and returned to 
their new home at the close of the thirty-first day from 
the time he started to clear his land. Dec. 13, 1770, he 
bought one 80-acre, one 60-acre, and one 30-acre lot in 
Salisbury, cleared up the land, and built the first house 
on the site occupied by Eliphalet Shaw, where he d. 
March 16, 181 3. She d. Oct. 20, 181 3, aged 66. 

5. Elizabeth, b. in Chester; m. Abner Hall and d. at Tunbridge, Vt. 

6. James, b. in Andover, Dec. 19, 1776; he early removed to Vermont, where he 

m. Aug. 21, 1S03, Sarah True, of I'lainfield, residing in Vermont thirteen 
years. On the death of his father he returned to Salisbury and carried on 
the farm for some years. He d. in the old D. S. Princa house, March lo, 
1854 ; she d. in 1865. ^^ spelled his name Severens, and was one of the 
deacons of the Baptist church. Children born in Vermont : 

7. Abigail, b. Feb. 13, 1S06; m. in February, 1844, E. R. Rowe, who d. — ; she 

resides in Salisbury. 

8. Ziba, b. July 20, 1807 ; resides just across the line in Andover. 

9. Royal, b. Feb. 5, 1S09; d. Jan. 28, 1S14. 10. Salina, b. Oct. 6, 1810; d. unm. 

11. Paschal P., b. Sept. 11, 181 1 ; d. Dec. 31, 1S30. 

Children b. in Salisbury : 

12. Salina, b. May 12, 1814; m. Sanborn Shaw. See. 

13. Harriet, b. Aug. 6, 1816; m. (i) Jackson Tucker; m. (2) Samuel Morrill; d. 

at Andover. 

14. Judith, b. March 2, 181S; m. Charles S Sargent and resides at New London. 

15. Sarah T., b. Dec. 14, 1S19; m. J. R. P>rown and resides at Brockport, N. Y. 

16. Nancy J., b. Sept. 9, 182 1 ; m. Andrew J. Cilley, of Andover, where she d. 

17. Ruth, b. Nov. 10, 1823; m. April 20, 1S48, Daniel C. Stevens. See. 

18. Amelia, b. April 12, 1826; m. May 22, 1851, William Dunlap. See. Shed. 

March 31. 1855. 

(3) Peter. Chase's History of Chester speaks of his being 
there, and says: "He m. Sarah, daughter of Nathaniel 
Hall. He d. 1817 ; she d. Dec. 23, 1839, and had sons, G. 
W. and James, who lived in Auburn." A Peter Sever- 
ance, brother of Lieut. Joseph, resided on the site now 
occupied by D. ¥. Searle, where it is said he resided 
previous to Dea. Amos Pettengill's removal to Bradford, 
Vt. He d. — From the Salisbury town records we 
find the following : Married Sept. 20, 1779, widow Sarah 
Pettengill ; d. at Bradford, Vt., 18 19. Children : 



774 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

19. Betty, b July 27, 17S0. 20. Andrew P., b. July 9, 1782. 
21. Reuben G., b. June 6, 1784. 22. Ruth, b. Aug. 8, 1786. 
23. Peter, b. Dec. 25, 1788. 24. Moses, b. Sept. 30, 1792. 

(4) William resided on the east side of Searle's hill, on the 
William Webster place. It is thought the family or 
their descendants went to Sandwich. 



THE SCRIBNER FAMILY. 

FIVE BRANCHES. 

I. Samuel, came from Kingston, and while there he bought 
land in Salisbury, of Jonathan Sanborn, then a resident of 
Kingston, the deed bearing date of March i, 1753. Soon after 
this he erected a log house. On August 17, 1754, he and his 
fellow-workman, Robert Barber, were captured by the Indians, 
while engaged in haying on what is called the "Proctor mead- 
ow," now owned by Elbridge Shaw on North road. (See pages 
246-24S.) After his return from captivity he went to Kingston, 
where he found his wife and children. Previous to his capture 
he got out the timber for his large frame house, and after visit- 
ing his family he returned and put up the house located on the 
North road and known as the Proctor house. It is said that 
when he came here his family consisted of a wife and six small 
children, to which number one was added after his removal 
here. From old records I find a Samuel Scribner married at 
Kingston, Nov. 4, 1740, Hannah Webster, said to be a cousin of 
Daniel Webster. 

2. Hannah, b. — ; marriage intention published Jan. 4, 1766, to Samuel Raino, 

of New Britain, ( Andover.) 

3. Iddo, b. in 1751. See. 

4. Josiah m. (i) — Webster; m. (2) widow Farmer, nee Mary A. White. Child- 

ren b. in Andover: i. Samuel. 11. Josiah. in. Parker, iv. William. 

Children by second wife: v. Benjamin F. vi. Isaac W., a physician 

and author, vii. Jonathan F. vni. Phebe. ix. Hannah, x. Arethusia. 
XI. Polly. XII. Mary A. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 775 

5. Ebenezer, moved to Tunbridge, Vt. ; m. — and returned to Andover. 

6. Susan, m. — Webster. 7. — m. — Rowe. 

(3) Iddo (Capt.) went to the west part of the town to settle, 
building the house now (18S9) occupied by Jesse Stev- 
ens, remaining until 1820-1, when he removed to Ando- 
ver. Died Feb. 5, 1831, (see Revolutionary war record) ; 
m. (i) Dec. 30, 1773, widow Judith Brown. By her pre- 
vious marriage she had Laban, b. Jan. 31, 1770, who m. 
Aug. 22, 1793, Sarah Danforth and removed to Wilmot. 
Capt. Iddo m. (2) widow Huldah (Morse) Jewett, of Ips- 
wich, Mass., who had by previous marriage Fanny, who 
m. — Brown, of Beech hill, Andover. Children by first 
wife : 

8. Jonathan, b. April i8, 1775. 9. Ebenezer, b. May 23, 1777; both rem. to Vt. 

10. Johannah, b. March 20, 1779; d. unm. (A Johannah Scribner m. May 22, 

1823, John Peasley, of Sutton.) 

11. Iddo, b. Sept. 20, 1780. See. 12. Samuel, b. June 20, 17S2. See. 

13. Josiah, b. Dec. 5, 1784; m. (i) Charity, who, tradition says, was an Indian; he 

d. at Henniker. 
Children by second wife : 

14. Jeremiah J., b. April 5, 1814. See. 15. Eunice P., b. — ; m. Jonathan Morrill. 

(11) Iddo resided in the old Fifield house at North road and 

removed to Vt. Married — and had : 

16. Polly, m. (i) — Hardy; m. (2) — 17. Abraham, resided at Pittsfield. 

iS. Martha, m. Carlton Kendall, and resided at Wilton, Me. 

19. Sinclair, resided at Worcester, Mass. 

20. Phebe, m. (i) — Hardy; m. (2) — ( Possibly this and 16 are the same.) 

21. Iddo, removed to Maine. 22. Judith, d. unm. 23. Daniel, d. unm. 

(12) Samuel, m. Hannah Peaslee ; children all born here; he 

removed to Wilmot and d. — ; she returned to Salisbury 
and d. in 1852. 

24. Martha, b. in 1809; m. in 1840, Bailey Corliss; she d. in 1845. 

25. Judith, b. in 181 1 ; m. in 1841, Nathaniel Buzzell, of Wilmot, where she resides. 

26. Charlotte, b. in 1813; m. Feb. 21, 1S3S, Sylvester Fowler; she d. at Wilmot. 

27. Samuel, b. in 181 5; m. in 1S44, Lydia McKean ; he d. in 1846. 

28. Lucinda, b. in 1S19; m. in 1841, Robert Currier. 



yy^ HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

29. Moses B., (Rev.) b. March 22, 1825, sought and found the 

Saviour in early life and consecrated himself to the ser- 
vice of the Lord, uniting with the Christian church at 
West Salisbury, over which church he was ordained in 
1857, preaching as opportunity offered in surrounding 
towns and particularly at Wilmot, where he formed a 
Christian church, the pastoral charge of which he held 
jointly with the church in Salisbury. He then went to 
Webster for five years, and thence to Somerset, Mass., 
two years, and while there was invited to settle at the 
Broad Street Christian Church, at Providence, R. I,, 
where he had a much larger sphere of usefulness, and 
since that time preaching in several places in that state. 
He possesses a commanding presence, a powerful and 
musical voice, a logical mind, and a large, warm, chris- 
tian heart. He m. (i) in 1847, Sarah E. Farwell, of 
Nashua ; m. (2) in 1849, Mary A. Kendrick, of Littleton ; 
m. (3) Sylvia C. Perry, of Henniker. He has four sons 
and two daughters. 

(14) Jeremiah Jewett, children all b. in Salisbury; removed 
to Andover and d. April 28, 1861 ; m. Nov. 28, 1833, 
Elizabeth, dau. of Daniel and Polly Stevens ; she d. May 
23, 1881. 

30. Lucy M., b. March 28, 1836; m. in April, 1S54, Daniel Roberts; she d. 

Aug, 28, 1867. 

31. Clarinda B., b. Feb. 4, 1838 ; m. Heman Sanborn and resided at Webster ; d. — . 

32. Asenath H., b. May 5, 1840; m. in 1856, Moses Colby. 

33. Huldah, b. March 19, 1842, and d. young. 

34. Huldah, b. Jan. 11, 1844; d. Aug. 30, 1861. 35. Harriet A., b. May 10, 1846. 

36. Daniel G., b. May 22, 1S48; m. Dec. 25, 1868, Mary L., dau. of True Flan. 

ders, of Warner, and resides in W^ebster. 

37. George S., b. Dec. i, 1849; m. (i) Jan. 26, 1876, Nellie F., dau. of Capt. Isaac 

Sanborn. ( See.) She d. Feb. 15, 1883. He m. (2) Adelaide Greeley. 

38. Betsey A., b. April 23, 1S51 ; m. April 31, 1873, I^ewis Haines, of Chichester ; 

he d. June 16, 1875. 
29. Lydia F., b. Oct. 22, 1853; m. March 30, 1876, Benjamin Buzzell; he d. in 
April, 1881. 

40. Morrill D., b. March 19, 1857; m. Delia G. Scott. 

41. Walter C, b. April 18, i860, and d. young. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 'J'^'J 



SECOND BRANCH. 

42 Edward Scribner, brother of John (69) and possibly of 
Benjamin, (89) removed here from Kingston and settled 
at the west part of the town known as Scribner's 
corner, while the Maloon family were in captivity, (?) 
being the second settler at that part of the town. For 
his war record the reader is referred to the chapter on 
the revolutionary war. He m. Oct. 31, 1763, Shuah, dau. 
of Sinkler Bean. The dates of death are not known. 

43. Shuah, b. Sept. 3, 1765. 44. Mary, b. Dec. 31, 176S; m. — Clifford. 

45. Hannah, b. Oct, 28, 1770; m. Benjamin Webster and removed to Maine. 

46. Edward, b. Oct. 3, 1774; m. Feb. 2, 1796, Mary Richardson. The family 

lived on the road to the Watson district. 

47. Dolly, b. March 31, 1776; m. Jan. 8, 1S04, Isaac Livingston, of Unity. 

48. Stephen, b. Sept. 20, 1778; m. Savory Fox, of Enfield. 

49. Ebenezer, b. April 7, 17S4; m. — and lived and d. in Montpelier, Vt. 

50 and 51. Eunice and Benjamin, b. Dec, 9, 1786. Eunice m. Bartholomew Stev- 
ens and removed to Washington, Vt. Benjamin remained on the home- 
stead and d. Nov. 23, 1S56; m. March 31, 1801, Martha I'easley, who was 
b. Nov. 15, 1786, and d. Aug. 28, 1854. 

52. Oilman, b. Sept. 14, 1807; m. (i) Jan. 16, 1S34, Louisa Bacon; m. (2) — Per- 

ry; m. (3) Harriet Abbott, of Concord; he d. at Henniker, June 26, 1881. 

53. Hiram, b. April 13, 1809; d. Nov. 10, 1812, 

54. Eunice, b. March 4, iSii; m. March 31, 1833, Humphrey Mason; she d. 

March 9, iSSi. 

55. Daniel S., b. May 20, 1813. See. 

56. Shuah, b. July 31, 181 5; m. Feb. 27, 1825, Samuel Frasier. 

57. Hiram, b. July 13, 1S18. See. 

58. Dorothy, b. Oct. 17, 1820; m. Feb. i, 1S41, Oliver Elkins; shed. Sept. 6, 1849. 

59. Roxanna, b. Feb. 5, 1S22; m. Nov. 30, 1S43, John F. Berry, of Henniker; she 

d. March 3, 1851. 

60. George W., b. July 2, 1824; m. Nov. 21, 1851, Betsey Fellows, and resides at 

Chandler, Wis. 

61. Julia A., b. Nov. 25, 1S27 ; d. Dec. 20, 184S. 

(55) Daniel S. (.') resided for a time in Maine, then returned 
to the homestead and carried on the farm. W\ the chil- 
dren were b. in .Salisbury. Me. d. May 14, 1S49; m. 
Feb. I, 183S, Polly Pcasley, who d. Oct. 12, 1 841, aged 27. 

62. Mary J. 63. Lorenzo. Both d. unm. 



778 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(57) Hiram (Capt.) m. (i) Nov. i6, 1849, Mary C. Little, of 
Boscawen ; she d. Nov. 3, 185 1, aged 31; m. (2) March 
II, 1852, Harriet Batchelder, who resides at Carman, 
Minn. He d. June 29, 1869. 

64. Elisha B., b. Aug. 26, 1S52. 65. Herrick C, b. Nov. S, 1S54. 

66. Lewis D., b. May 4, 1856; d. July 22, 1863. 67. Fred. E., b. Dec. 2, 1859. 

68. Mary H., b. Nov. 22, 1862. 

THIRD BRANCH. 

John Scribner removed here after his brother Edward, settling 
on the farm now occupied by Zachariah, and building 
part of the present house. He was a famous hunter 
and many stories are told of his exploits. He m. March 
10, 1774, Mehitable Clifford, who d. Dec. 26, 1797. {.'') 

70. Molly, b. Oct. 6, 1775; m. Jacob Tucker and removed to Orange, Vt. 

71. Mehitable, b. Dec. 26, 1776. d. Jan. 29, 1864, unm. 

72. Zachariah, b. July 25, 1780; d. March 16, 1850, unm. 

73. John, b. May 31, 1781. See. 

74. Rachel, b. Sept. 3, 1785; m. (i) Nov. 27, 1806, Benaiah Peasley; m. (2) B. R. 

Davis. 

75. William C, b. April 5, 1788. See. 

76. Sarah, b. Sept. 2, 1790; m. Jan. 24, 1815, Abraham Peasley and removed to 

Sutton. 

77. Rhoda, b. Sept. 20, 1792; m. Dec. i, 1814, John Littlehale and removed to Vt. 

(73) John remained on the farm and d. Dec. 13, 1841 ; he m. 
(i) Polly Peasley; m. (2) Feb. 15, 1815. Hannah C. 
Wright, of Newport, where she was b. Sept. 4, 1789; d. 
Jan. 25, 1859. 

78. Sylvester P., b. Jan. 29, 1820; m. April 30, 1844, Sarah Buswell, of Goffstown, 

where she resides. He resided opposite the Jesse Stevens place, where 
the children were born; removed to Goffstown and d. March 28, 1875. 
Children: I. Lydia F., b. April 12, 1845; d. Sept. 8, 1845. II. 
' Mary F., b. April 24, 1847, ^"d resides at Goffstown. in. Nellie H., 

b. Aug. 11, 1849; '"• r)ec. 25, 1873, Taylor Pierce, and resides in Goffs- 
town. IV. Sarah J., b. Aug. 5, 1S56; m. Nov. 20, 1877, Byron H. Cram 
and resides in Goffstown. 

79. Polly, b. March 29, 1816; d. May 3, 1878, unm. 

80. Mehitable, b. Jan. 9. 1818; d. May 10, 1865, unm. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 779 

81. Edwin, b. July 2, 1822; m. (r) 1S4S; m. {2) Mrs. Mary A. Heath; m. (3) July 

1856, Abbie 15. Morrill. Child: Mary A., b. in Salisbury; m. Geo. Good- 
hue, of Manchester, where he d. May 2, 1878. 

82. Lydia M., b. July 5, 1824; m. Robert F. Hatchelder. See. 

83. John P. D., b. March 30, 1827; resides at Worcester, Mass. 

84. Zachariah C, b. May 26, 1829, and resides on the homestead. 

(75) William C. resided in the Jesse Stevens house, where he 
d. Jan. 7, 1842 ; m. Polly Peasley, who d. Oct. 31, 1850. 

85. Zachariah, b. — ; m. Judith Sawyer. 

86. Mary A., b. — ; d. Dec. 14, 1S33, aged 20. (A Mary A. Scribner m. Nov. 4, 

1S27, William B. Fraser.) 

87. Almeda, b. in 1S23; m. Benjamin Livingston. 

88. Charles, b. — ; m. Susan Bean and removed west. 

FOURTH BRANCH. 

89. Benjamin Scribner resided near Scribner's corner. He 

m. (i) Feb. 23, 1770, Margaret Clifford, who d. Oct. 20, 
1776; m. {2) — ; second wife d. Aug. 26, 1803. 

90. Rachel, b. Feb. 7, 177 1. 

91. Benjamin, b. Nov. ii, 1772; m. April i, 181S, Rachel Stevens and removed to 

Corinth, Vt. 

92. Sarah, b. Oct. 4, 1774. 93. Margaret, b. Sept. 20, 1776. 

FIFTH BRANCH. 

94 Thomas Scribner as early as 1765 resided in town, near its 
northern boundary with Andover. The following, from 
a letter written by Albert G. Scribner, of Ogden. N. Y., 
contains all the information I have been able to gather 
concerning him or his descendants : "Thomas Scribner, 
of Andover, was my grandfather. I have no history 
back of 1760 or 1765, and that I take from the birth of 
my father, who was a son of Thomas. He was born 
May 12, 1767, married when about twenty, and died May 
II, 1853, aged 86. His mother's name was Hannah 
Day. Thomas had two sons and four daughters, David 
the eldest. Jonathan was married and was drowned 
soon after; Mehitable married a Dudley ; Hannah mar- 
ried a Roberts; Oily married a Keyser ; Rachel I have 



780 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

no account of. I have no record of the time of births, 
marriages, or deaths of any except my father. They all 
• died long ago. My parents resided in Andover, at a 
place called Beech hill, where they raised a family of 
nine children to man and womanhood. I had four broth- 
ers and four sisters; they are all dead but one — my 
youngest brother." At the time Mr. Scribner wrote the 
above letter he was in his eighty-third year. 



THE SHAW FAMILY. 

Roger Shaw was at Cambridge, Mass., in 1636, and removed 
to Hampton, N. H., being one of the petitioners to the general 
court in 1638. The family came originally from Scotland. The 
earliest record I have of this family is that of four brothers : 
I. Caleb, grandfather of Elder Abijah Shaw, one of whose 
daughters married — Ladd and removed to Andover. 11. Elisha. 
III. Moses. IV. Gideon, who lived and died at Hampton. 

1. Benjamin Shaw was a resident of Sandown ; m. — Follans- 

bee and had : 

2. Edward, a deacon at Newbury; m. — and had a large family. 

3. Benjamin. See. 

4. Thomas, m. — settled at Hartford, Vt., and had a large family. 

5. Joshua, b. — ; remained on the homestead; had no children. 

6. Joseph, b. and d. at Sandown, unm. 

7. Hannah, b. — m. — Sanborn, and resided at Sandown. Had : i. Newell. 

II. Russell. III. Joshua, and two girls, one of whom m. — Badger and 
resided at Gilmanton, and one m. — Page and lived in Danville. 

(3) Lieut. Benjamin was b. at Sandown in 1758, where he m. 
Sarah, dau. of John and Lizzie (Sargent) Sanborn. He 
removed to Weare, and in 181 5 to Salisbury, settling at 
what was called in his honor "Shaw's Corner," and pur- 
chasing the Edward Quimby house,- which was destroyed 
by fire in 1875. He d. in 1825; she d. April 16, i860, 
aged 96. When the battle of Bunker Hill occurred she 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 78I 

sat upon her father's woodpile at Sandown and heard 
the firing. 

8. John, b. at Sandown, May 22, 1785. See. 

9. Elizabeth, b. Oct. 27. 1788; m. John Sanborn. 

10. Benjamin, b. at Weare, Dec. 6, 1791. See. 11. Sanborn, b. Feb. 20, 1793. See. 

12. George, b. Feb. 27, 1795. ^^^- '3- Dimond, b. April 5, 1798. See. 

14. Abram, b. April 20, 1800. See. 

15. Eliphalet, b. Aug. 9, 1803, d. young. 

16. Ira, b. March 2, 1805; m. Sept. 6, 1832, Hannah Heath and settled on Rac- 

coon hill. Had: I. Helen. 11. Roxanna. in. Leonard. Removed west 
where he died. 

(8) John, familiarly known as "Farmer John," first settled in 
Andover, his deed bearing date of Dec. lo, i8ir, of lot 
No. 57, first range. Early in 1815 he removed to Salis- 
bury, settling on the farm now (1889) occupied by his 
grandson Jarvis B., erecting the present buildings in 183 1, 
being t)ie first of the family who settled on the hill. In 
stature he was tall and stoutly built, a great worker, and 
was held in high estimation by his townsmen. He was 
an active member of the Baptist church. Died March 
31, 1869; m. (i) Abigail Nichols, who was b. at Bow in 
1789, and d. Nov. 26, 1842; m. (2) widow Nancy Phil- 
brick, who d. Aug. 7, 1865 ; m. (3) the widow of Stephen 
Sawyer, (see.) 

17. Lorena, d. young. i8. Oliver, b'. in Weare, March 5, iSii. See. 

19. Sanborn, b. in Andover, May i, 1814. See. 

20. Eliphalet, b. in Salisbury, Aug. 29, 1818; d. Sept. 27, 18S8. See. 

21. Augustus, b. March 26, 182 1, and removed to Andover, April 30, 1S57 ; m. 

Feb. 12, 1S46, Mary Tucker, who was born at Andover, Dec. 4, 1 821. 
He d. July 22, 1889. Children: I. George F., b. July 26, 1S47, and m. 
Oct. 7, 1880, Esther R. Hill, of Bristol. 11. Rhoda L., b. Dec. 16, 1849. 
in. Watson D., b. June 23, 1859; d. Dec. 23, 1862. 

22. Eliza A., b. July 23, 1824; d. Sept. 20, 186S; m. Jan. 27, 1S4S, Augustus C. 

Pettengill. See. 

23. Mary J., b. Aug. 29, 1827 ; m. March i, 1849, James W. .Sanborn ; she d. Sept- 

26, 1 888. 

(10) Benjamin settled on the Joseph Swcatt place, the property 
eventually coming into the possession of George Shaw. 
The buildings were destroyed by fire in the summer of 



782 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

1879. He afterwards removed to Shaw's Corner, where 
he d. Dec. 17, 1846; m. April 29, 18 17, Ann Fellows, 
who was b. at Deerfield, Oct. 24, 1787, and d. at Frank- 
lin, April 8, 1882, aged 95. 

24. Elizabeth, b. April 20, 181S; d. Oct. 21, 1828. 

25. Benjamifi F., b. Feb. 2, 1820; d. March 31, 1826. 

26. Sarah A., b. March 28, 182?; m. (i) April 20, 1S46, William McDougall, of 

Goffstown; m. (2) Aug. iS, 1866, John C. Moulton, of Laconia. 

27. Hiram, b. July 13, 1824. See. 

28. Catharine, b. May 14, 1826; m. May 27, 1846, Joshua W. Brown, of Concord, 

Mass. 

29. Francis, b. Sept. 22, 1830; m. (i) April 25, 1S53, Martha J. Upham, of 

Amherst; m. (2) Nov. 24, 1855, Julia A. Fifield ; he d. at Franklin, Feb. 
17, 1S81. 

(i i) Sanborn settled on the site now occupied by Kale P. 
Shaw, removed to the Osgood farm on North road and 
thence to the famous "water cure" at Hill. Late 
in life he removed to Northfield, and d. Feb. 5, 
1 88 1. He was a thoroughly honorable, upright man, 
who through life never experienced enough sickness to 
employ a physician. Married (i) Oct. 19, 1819, Nancy 
A. Sherburne, of Salisbury, who d. in 1841 ; m. (2) Oct. 
1843, widow Louisa (Smith) Evans, of Northfield, who 
d. June 2, 1880. 

30. Elvira, b. Aug. 16, 1820; m. (i) in 1844, George Farrington, of Newton, who 

was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, in 1865; m. (2) in Oct., 1867. 
John Washburn. She d. June 24, 1874. 

31. Emeline, b. May 4, 1822; m. in 1847, John Washburn, of Swampscott, Mass., 

where she d. June 29, 1866. 

32. Nancy, b. June 16, 1823; d. in March, 1857, unm. 

33. Elbridge, b. Sept. 17, 1825; m. April 3, 1S51, Ann L. Evans, of Northwood. 

He resides on the Osgood farm at North road. Children : i. Emma L.t 
b. Jan. 30, 1852; m. — Sargent, of Danbury. 11. Addie E., b. Nov. 6, 
1857 ; m. Nov. 3, 1877, Frank P. Chase and resides in Danbury. in. Grace 
A., b. Jan. 2, 1861. iv. Elwyn,b. May 29, 1866; d. March 5, 1867. v. Josie 
C, b. Feb. 10, 1868. VI. Herman W., b. Dec. 7, 1872. 

34. Harry, b. Oct. 4, 1827; m. April 17, 1856, Adaline Evans. Children: i. Her- 

bert W., b. in Salisbury, July 16, 1857; d. at Northfield, Nov. 9, 1885. 
II. Frank W., b. at Northfield, Sept. 30, 1862. 

35. Warren, b. Feb. 23, 1829; d. Nov. 28, 1848. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 783 

36. Sarah, b, April 30, 1S31 ; d. June 22, 1853. 

37. Lucy J., b. Nov. 22, 1833; m. Moses F. Little. See. 

38. Peter B., b. July 31, 1836; m. Nov. 15, iS6t, Sarah E. Gealucia. 

39. Arabella V., b. July 6, 1847 ; m. Daniel Smith. 40. Warren, b. — 

(12) George m. Aug. 25, 1825, Sarah Sanborn, who d. Jan. 26, 

1879 ; he d. — 

41. Darius B. F., b. Feb. 3, 1826; m. Jan. 6, 1853, Relief W. Nelson, b. at Bristol, 

May 10, 1829. Children: i. Adoniram, b. Dec. 9, 1853; d. Jan. 15, 1857. 
II. Charles, b. June 22, 1855. ill. Naomi A., b. Nov. 8, 1858; m. Oct. 10, 
188S, William Holmes, iv. Oscar F., b. Dec. 20, 1862; m. Nov. 28, 1888, 
Mrs. Lue French, v. Sarah, b. Dec. 16, 1S64. 

42. George W., b. March 7, 1828; m. Eliza Durrell, of Laconia, where he was a 

merchant; d. at Salisbury, ^L-lrch 10, 1S65. She m. (2) N. A. Richardsoni 
of Concord. 

43. Charles A. J., b. Nov. 16, 1829; m. Oct. 19, 1863, Kate P. Pcttengill, of 

Andover; he d. Aug. 5, 1873. 

44. Hale P., b. May 28, 1831. See. 

45. Rhoda A. F., b. March 4, 1838; d. Aug. 5, 1840. 

46. Lyman B. W., b. May 28, 1844. 

47. Adoniram J., b. April 2, 1846; d. Nov. 13, 1848. 

(13) Dimond came to SaHsbury in 1826, settling on the site 

now occupied by Frederick C. Shaw, removed to Hill and 
d. May 13, 1874; m. (i) May 21, 1826, Rachel Dresser, 
who was b. at Sutton, June 9, 1798, and d. Nov. 14, 
185 I ; m. (2) Feb. 26, 1852, Mrs. Sarah Ouimby, of Hill. 

48. John, b. at Sutton, Sept. 14, 1S26; m. Dec. 23, 1869, Barbara Glass, and 

resides at Avery, Mich. 

49. Mary C, b. Jany. 6, 1S2S; m. Feb. 19, 1852, Moses F. Little. See. 

50. Frederick C, b. June 12, 1832. See. 

51. Abigail M., b. Oct. 25, 1S32 ; d. June 20, 1842. 

(14) Abram resided on the G. B. Roby farm and d. Dec. 16, 

1871 ; m. (i)Dec. 22, 1828, Hannah Fifield, who d. Nov. 
I, 1857; m. (2) April 23, 1863, Betsey Emerson, who d. 
Feb. 17, 18S1. Children by first wife: 

52. Adaline E., b. Oct. 5, 1829; m. Feb. 19, 1S52, William A. Batchelder and 

resides at East .Andover. 

53. Alfred F., b. Sept. iS, 1831 ; d. July i, 1S34. 

54. Amanda W. F., b. May 28, 1S33; m. Sept. 28, 1852, James Morrison, of Ply. 

mouth, and resides in Dakota. 

55. Hannah A., b. Feb. 5, 1S35; m. April 5, 1855, Mason W. Cass; d. May 14, 1S56. 



784 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

56. Mary S., b. Oct. 16, 1S36; m. April 6, 1869, E. G. Emery, who d. Dec. 26, 1877 ; 

she resides at East Andover. 

57. Vesta L., b. May 14, 1838; m. John C. Smith. See. 

58. Amos v., h. Jan. 14, 1S40; m. May 28, 1868, Josephine Moulton, and resides 

in Dakota. 

59. Alfred M., b. Nov. 18, 1841 ; m. Maria Morgan ; d. May 28, 1876. 

60. Calvin G., b. Aug. 15, 1843; '"• ''^ept. i, 1870, Abby Laughton, and resides in 

Dakota. 

61. — b. Sept. 28, 1S51 ; d. Dec. 16, 1851. 

(18) Oliver came here with hi.s parents and m. April 16, 1834, 

Jane Stanwood, of Boscawen. He resided in the old 
David Prince house, afterwards in the west part of the 
town, and Nov. 16, 1837, removed to the H. P. Shaw 
farm ; he finally removed to St. Paul, Minn., and d. April 
25, 1855. Children all b. here: 

62. Francis, resides in St. Paul, Minn. 63. Henry D., d. in the army, unm. 
64. Mary J., m. Lorenzo Fifield. 65. Benjamin, m. widow Ackerman. 

66. Eliza. 67. Maria. 

(19) Sanborn, m. Nov. 23, 1837, Salina, dau. of Dea. James 

Severance, (see.) He remained on the D. S. Prince 
farm until 1843, when he rem. to his present location. 

68. Sarah J., b. Feb. 9, 1840; m. May 20, 185S, Francis Stevens and resides at 

Northfield. 

69. James S., b. May 28, 1841 ; m. March 11, 1869, Fanny A. Fellows; he d. Dec. 

13. 1S73. 

70. Abbie, b. Dec. 6, 1842; m. March 7, 1867, George F. Weeks and resides at 

Northfield. 

71. Ann J., b. March 28, 1844; m. Sept. 14, 1882, David S. Prince. 

72. John, b. Jan. 25, 1846. See. Child : Lizzie E., who d. Feb. i, 1885. 

73. Byron, b. Oct. 24, 1847 ; m. May i, 1873, Nellie S. Oliver, of Salisbury, and 

resides at Northfield. Child : Everett S., b. Jan., 1888. 

74. True, b. Aug. 25, 1849; m. March, 2, 1880, Mary A. Hersey, who was b. Oct. 

29, 18—. Child: Ella May, b. Oct. 9, 1885. 

(20) Eliphalet m. (i) March 14, 1844, Eliza A. Stanwood, of 

Boscawen, who d. March 24, 1851 ; m. (2) July 8, 1852, 
Emily Barney, of Grafton ; he d. Sept. 27, 1888. Child- 
ren by first wife : 

75. Gerrish, b. June 2, 1845; m. (i) Jennie M. Heath, who d. July 8, 1S76; m. 

(2) in Feb. 1881, widow P. Heath. 

76. Dimond, b. April 16, 1848; m. Ida Sargent, of Loudon. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 785 

Children by second wife : 
Emma A., b. July 5, 1853. 78. Jarvis H., b. May 20, 1855. 
Gilbert W., b. May 12, 1857; d. in 1863. 

Jennie M. B., b. Aug. 6, 1859; m. Nov. 25, 1880, Charles F. Taylor. 
Samuel B., b. Aug. 16, 1861. 82. Salina A., b. Jan. 10, 1863. 
Flora M., b. July 13, 1864. 84. Eliphalet, b. Aug. 3, 1865; d. in 1865. 



(27) Hiram m. April 5, 1850, Sarah Simonds, of Manchester. 
He died in September, 1889. 



Arthur S. N., b. Sept. 27, 1851 ; m. Ella Kelly. 

Annie, b. Aug. 10, 1853; m. James B. Warren. 

Nellie, b. Jan. 24, 1855; m. Charles Conant. 88. Addie, b. Nov. 23, 1857. 

Edwin J., b. Sept. 15, iS6o. 90. Walter H., b. Oct. 6, 1865. 

Kate B., b. June 28, 1867. 92. Clara E.. b. Aug. 3, 1870. 

Philip F., b. April 13, 1873. 94. Benjamin, b. Dec. 15, 1876. 



(48) Hale P. m. June i, 1864, Maria Pettengill, of Andover. 

95. Lucy E., b. April 26, 1865. 96. Henry G., b. Aug. 5, 1866. 
97. Villa L., b. Oct. 24, 1868. 98. Mary K., b. Sept. 19, 1870. 
99. Rhoda M., b. July 4, 1872. 100. Frank H., b. May 14, 1S79. 

(50) Frederick C. m. Feb. 3, 1852, Sarah, dau. of David and 
Sarah (Morrill) Shaw, who was b. at Sanbornton, March 
5, 1829. 

loi. Charlotte A., b. Nov. 21, 1853; ^- April 5, 1S76, Gilbert M Sulloway, of 

Grafton. 
102. Morgie A., b. Nov. 21, 1S59. 103. Abbie M., b. March 5, 1861. 

(72) John left the farm and engaged in milling, at the old 
"Gookin mills," where by attention to business and 
keeping alive to the times he has gained a good reputa- 
tion throughout the surrounding towns. It is said "He 
can grind more flour, and of a finer quality with a given 
amount of wheat, than any flour mill in the State." 
He certainly does a large business, and our citizens have 
confidence in his ability and integrity, which they have 
often shown by electing him to several town offices,^and 
as representative in 1883. Married Sept. 21, 1872, [Annie 
A. Stevens, (see.) 

104. James S., b. Nov. 2, 1873. 105. Abbie F., b. Nov. 28, 1874. 

106. Lizzie E., b. Jan. i6, 1S76; d. Feh. i, 1S85. 

107. Lewis C, b. Jan. 12, 1878. 

50 



jS6 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

THE SMITH FAMILY. 

FOUR BRANCHES. 

I. Lieut. Robert removed here from Seabrook. After pur- 
chasing a farm he returned to his home, married, and in 1768 
permanently settled here with his wife on the hill named in his 
honor, "Smith's hill," now in the town of Franklin. It is the 
tradition that he purchased his farm of Jacob (i*) Morrill, of 
Indian fame. In 1755, in the expedition against Crown Point, 
he served in Capt. John Moore's company (the 7th) from April 
28 to Nov. 28. At the battle of Bennington he served as 
second lieutenant in Capt. Ebenezer Webster's company. Col. 
Stickney's regiment, and also served with distinction through- 
out the revolution. Capt. Webster and Lieut. Smith were not 
only neighbors but friends and they often consulted together 
in matters of importance. In religious matters Mr. Smith was 
intimately connected with the church. He took a prominent 
part in the affairs of the town, and was one of the selectmen 
chosen after its incorporation. He married, Sept. 18, 1768, 
Sarah Eaton, who was born at Seabrook, in 1743, and died Feb. 
25, 1 8 19. She was a woman of remarkable energy, proud of 
her northern home, exercised good taste and took pleasure in 
out-of-door exercise. Her flower-garden, which was the first in 
the settlement, was noted for the great variety and beauty of 
its flowers. She also set out black walnut, chestnut and Eng- 
lish walnut trees, and barbary, currant and gooseberry bushes, 
bringing the young shrubs with her. She was gifted with a 
very retentive memory. The first clock owned in town was 
given to her by her father for a wedding present, and she 
brought it up on horseback, making two trips to accomplish 
that purpose. He died Nov. 11, 1801. 

2. Jabez, b. June S, 1769. See. 

3. Marion, b. July 9, 177 1 ; m. Oct. 10, 1793, Reuben Morrill, of Canterbury. 

4. Robert, b. March 20, 1773 ; m. Oct. 23, 1802, Molly (Mary) Smith, of Seabrook; 

he d. Nov. 11, 1S02; she m. (2) — Nichols. 



GENEALOGY AND DIOGRAPHY 787 

5. Sally (Sarah), b. April iS, 1775; m. Jan. 24, 1797, Samuel Greenleaf; d. Aug. 

15, 1802 

6. Richard, b. April 10, 1777; m. — ; settled in Corinth, Vt., where he d. 

7. Samuel, b. Feb. 20, 1779; m. — ; settled in Corinth, Vt. ; d. at Hopkinton. 

8. John, b. May 26, 1783; m. (i) — in Portsmouth; rem. to Indiana, thence to 

Ohio ; returned to S. ; served in war of 1812 and after its close went west ; 
returned and settled at Hoscawen, where he d. — ; m. (2) — Morrill, of 
Canterbury; m. (3) Dec, 1847, Emily, dau. of Samuel Bridge, of Billerica; 
she was a sister of Ezekiel Webster's first wife. 

(2) Major Jabez built the house ne.xt east of the homestead, 
where he remained until the death of his father, when 
he returned and carried on the homestead farm. He d. 
Sept. 20, 1830. Major Smith possessed a commanding 
figure, stout and very erect, with a frank and open coun- 
tenance. He was a most influential and highly-respected 
citizen, was a democrat in politics, and much in office, 
receiving votes irrespective of party, and conducted the 
town's affairs with promptness and fidelity. Married 
Feb. 10, 1795, Marion, daughter of Joseph Bean, who d. 
Aug. 28, 1846. 

9. Sarah, b. Aug. 28, 1796; d. Feb. 5, 1S76; unm. 

ID. Polly, b. July 30, 1797; m. Dec. 29, 1817, Stephen Sanborn; d. Feb. 20, 1819. 

11. Robert, b. Sept. 22, 1798. See. 

12. Abigail, b. Jan. 4, 1801 ; m. Gilbert Eastman. See. 

13. Eliza, b. Sept. 12, 1S03; m. June i, 1S4S, Nathaniel Bean. See. 

14. Joseph, b. July 21, 1805. See. 15. Charles, b. Aug. 20, 1807. See. 
16. Lydia, b. Aug. 30, 1812 ; m. Oct. 25, 1840, Rev. Joseph Elliott. 

(11) Dr. Robert completed his studies at the Salisbury and 
Pembroke academies, read medicine with Dr. Hoyt, of 
Northfield, and attended medical lectures at Dartmouth, 
receiving from that college the degree of M. D. in 1827. 
He m. in August, 1826, Susan, dau. of Joshua Fifield, 
and removed to Amesbury, Mass., where he began the 
practice of his profession, afterwards removing to Hamp- 
ton where his wife d. He m. (2) Hannah, dau. of Abrara 
Marston, who d. at Hampton, Feb. 7, 1S40. After her 
death Dr. Smith relinquished his practice and removed 
to Franklin, where he m. (3) Abigail, dau. of Lieut. Ben- 



788 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

jamin Pettengill, who d. Feb. 22, 1868. After residing 
two years at Franklin he again went to Hampton, and 
finally in 1848 removed to Salisbury, residing on the 
farm owned by Albert Calef, where he d. April 13, 1873. 
Children by first wife : 

17. Susan E., b. at Amesbury, Mass., Oct. 2, 1828 ; m. Thomas D. Little. See. 

Children by second wife : 

18. Mary F., b. at Hampton, Jan. 25, 1838; m. Charles E. Foote. See. 

19. Charles, b. at Hampton, Oct. i, 1839; is a lawyer; res. River Falls, Wis. 

Children by third wife : 

20. Robert, res. Peoria, 111. 21. Benjamin P., res. Marlborough, Mass. 
22. Joseph, res. Peoria, 111. 

23 and 24. Sarah and Lucy, b. — . Sarah m. Robert Morrill ; res. Canterbury. 
Lucy m. Erdix Smith ; res. Davenport, Iowa. 

25. Ellen M., b. 1843 ; d. July 18, 1848. 

(14) Deacon Joseph resided in the house now owned by David 

G. Bean, removing to North Boscawen, then to East 
Concord, where he d. Feb. 24, 1881. Mr. Smith was a 
farmer by occupation, accumulating considerable proper- 
ty, was a deacon of the Congregational church at East 
Concord, and extensively known through his identity 
with the temperance cause. He m. (i) in 1829, Julia A. 
Pettengill, who d. — ; m. (2) Mrs. Mary L. Pecker, dau. 
of Jonathan Eastman, Esq. She m. (i) Jeremiah Pecker, 
of East Concord ; her two living children are Col. J. E. 
Pecker, state agent and correspondent for the Boston 
Journal, and George B., of Boston, Mass. She d. Jan. 
15, 1880. Children by first wife : 

26. Jabez, b. in S. Jan. 22, 1S30 ; d. Dec. 17, 185S. 27. Jane, d. young. 

28. Matilda R., b. Sept. 20, 1835; m. May 13, 1S63, Major Ai B. Thompson. 

29. Jennie P., b. Oct. 22, 1840; d. Jan. 29, 1S64; m. Aug. 14, 1S61, J. Ware But- 

terfield, Esq. 

30. Julia A., d. young. 

(15) Charles remains on the ancestral homestead; m. April 

28, 1840, Jeanette Long Mann. He d. Oct. 19, 1889. 

31. John C, b. May 2, 1842 ; m. Jan. 3, 1862, Vesta Shaw; two children. 

32. Elbridge, b. Sept. 19, 1844 ; m. Dec. 23, 187 1, Emma, dau. of Daniel J. Calef; 

three children. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 789 



33. Warren, b. July 26, 1S54; d. March 30, 1S82. 

34. Mary J., b. April 16, 1857 ; m. Warren C. Webster. See. 

35. Charles J., b. Jan. 24, i86g; drowned Aug. 31, 1S89. 



SECOND BRANCH. 

35- John Smith was a native of Old Ipswich, Mass., and was b. 
Nov. 13, 1749; m. Mary A. Pike, of Salisbury, Mass., 
where she was b. Oct. 4, 1753, and d. Aug. 26, 1836. 
Shortly after his marriage Mr. Smith removed to old 
Salisbury, and thence to New Salisbury, (as this town 
was at that time frequently called) just after the associa- 
tion test act, settling on land he had purchased of Fran- 
cis Green, of Boston. This land was a 60-acre lot, No. 
28, in the second range. The deed bears date of Feb. 
22, 1775, and the consideration was ^1^45 L. M. He 
served at Bunker Hill, and entered the army after his 
removal here, as per the following receipt, June 30, 1780: 
"This day rec'd of the Town of Salisbury four hundred 
and fifty Dollars as a bounty from said Town for enlist- 
ing into the Continental army six months, signed John 
Smith." Feb. 26, 1784, he purchased an eighty-acre lot, 
No. 60, first range, for ^^105. This land is now owned 
by his descendants, on a part of which the Union meet- 
ing house stands. Quite early he located opposite Zach- 
ariah Scribner's, but, "swapping" that location with 
Ebenezer Johnson, he removed to the site now occupied 
by his descendants, where he d. Nov. 30, 1832. 

36. Samuel, b. Sept. 30, 1776. See. 

37. Moses, b. Sept. 17, 1778; marriage intention published 

May 25, 1800, to Mary Burbank. He settled near her 
father's in the present town of Webster, where he had : 
I. Moses. II. Jeremiah C, after which he returned to 
Salisbury, settling near his father, in. Silas, b. in Salis- 
bury, Dec. 15, 1807 ; resided at Taftsville, Vt., where he 
d. Jan. I, 1 881. After the birth of Silas, Mr. Smith 



790 HISTORY OF SALISBURY * 

returned to Webster, where the remainder of his children 
were born. She d. April 5, 1817; he m. (2) Nancy, dau. 
of John Sweat, of Salisbury. After the death of Mr. 
Smith she m. Abram Pierce, of Norwich, Vt. iv. Mary 
L., b. in Webster, Sept. 5, 1809; m. Joshua Bean, (see.) 
V. Caleb P., b. in Webster, Oct. 5, 18 10. At the age of 
ten years he came to live with his grandfather, remain- 
ing six years, then went to Concord to learn the printer's 
trade with Jacob Bailey and Henry Eaton Moore. (By 
a singular succession of events this history is now being 
published by the youngest son and sole living descend- 
ant of H. E. Moore.) He shortly returned to Deacon 
William Parsons, (see) to learn the cabinet maker's trade 
but finding the trade too hard he attended the first term 
of the "Instructors School," under the tutorship of Ben- 
jamin M. Tyler. After this he taught four terms in 
Sanbornton, where he was called "a most excellent 
teacher," He taught the Salisbury academy for the 
year 1833, when he removed to Wilmot and became a 
merchant, then sold out and removed to New London, 
where he did a large mercantile business. He m. (i) 
Eliza A. George, (see); m. (2) Eunice N. Clark, of 
Franklin. From New London he removed to that part 
of Sanbornton, now Tilton, where he engaged in trade. 
His wife d. there, leaving three children. After his 
second marriage he removed to Laconia and successfully 
edited the "Belknap Gazette." Obtaining a clerkship 
through Daniel Webster, he removed to Washington, D. 
C, and became Webster's private Secretary. Mr. Smith 
was a great scholar, familiar with the choicest literature, 
and possessed of a remarkable memory. In politics he 
was a whig and rendered his party valuable service. He 
had also fine musical abilities, appearing before large 
audiences, vi. Samuel, b. in Webster, Aug. 22, 181 3 ; 
d. at Woodstock, Vt., Feb. 12, 1882; m. — vii. John, 
b. in July, 1815 ; d. in 1816. viii. Sarah, b. April 2, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 79I 

1817, and d. young, ix. Nancy S., by second wife, b. 
Oct. 30, 1820; m. J. N. Buxton, of Manchester; d. Sept. 

20, 1850. 

38. John, b. Feb. 16, 1781 ; m. Miriam Bean ; d. May 23, 1864. 

39. Daniel, b. March 22, 1784; m. — Pike. One son, Daniel A., res. Newbury- 

port, Mass. 

40. Benjamin, b. July 20, 17S7. See. 41. Caleb, b. Aug. i, 1789. See. 

42. Mary, b. Oct. 11, 1793; ™- (0 Dec. 31, j8ii, Andrew Pettengill; he d. Jan. 
22, 1817 ; she m. (2) Capt. Elias Pike, of Xewburyport, Mass. ; d. June 
26, 1844. 43. Silas, b. Oct. 29, 1796; d. Oct. 7, 1802. 

(36) Samuel remained on the farm and m. Shuah Bean, who 
d. Dec. 31, 1847; he d. March 8, 1848. 

44. Elias Pike, b. Feb. 20, 1S02 ; m. (1) Feb. 3, 1829, Mary Adams, who d. Aug. 
12, 1859; m. (2) May J. Austin, of Webster; he remained on the home- 
stead, and d. Sept. 28, 1885. Children : I. Austin P., b. Nov. 17, 1862. 
II. Mary F., b. April 19, 1864 ; d. aged 8. 

(40) Benjamin m. Feb. 12, 1818, Abigail Call, who was b. Jan. 

21, 1796, and d. Oct. 27, 1849. He remained in Salis- 
bury until 1833, when with his family he removed to 
Boscawen ; he d. March 27, 1872. 



Emeline, b. Oct. 28, 1818; d. Sept. 7, 1820. 

John F., b. Feb. 15, 1821 ; d. July 9, 1842. 

Leonard R., b. June 22, 1823 ; d. April 23, 1842. 

Emeline, b. April 2, 1S27 ; m. — Jeffers; res. South T.amworth, Vt. 

May J., b. in Boscawen, Feb. 16, 1S41. 



(41) Caleb resided a mile southwest of the homestead, in the 
Couch district ; he purchased of his brother John, March 
26, 1 82 1, one-half acre of land opposite the Meloon's, 
then removed to the Rolfe farm on High street, in Bos- 
cawen, now occupied by Francis Colby. While a resi- 
dent at Boscawen he served as selectman six years and 
representative two years, and with Simeon Little was a 
delegate to revise the state constitution in 1850. Re- 
turning to Salisbury in the fall of i860 he purchased the 
farm since occupied by his son, Caleb K. Smith, where he 
d. Oct. 23, 1873. On the 26th of August previous to his 
death he was taken with a paralytic shock, which left the 



792 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

muscles of the throat in a rigid condition, preventing 
him from receiving any nourishment, and only by the 
most strenuous effort was he able to swallow any water. 
In this condition he remained fifty-six days. He m. 
March 30, 181 5, Mehitable, dau. of Samuel Eaton, who 
d. June 6, 1864. Children b. in Salisbury : 

50. Charlotte H., b. Aug. i, 1817 ; m. Sept. 4, 1839, Jonathan Arey ; d. March 

9, 1864. 

51. Lucy A., b. Oct. 4, 1819; m. Oct. 4, 1843, Jeremiah Rolfe ; res. Boscawen. 

52. Caleb E., b. May 28, 1822. See. 

53. Mary E., b. Aug. 31, 1824; m. June 25, 1856, David Rolfe, of Webster; d. 

Jan. 2, 1877. He d. — . 

54. Susan J., b. Sept. i, 1827; m. May 23, 1S50, Charles B. Little, of Webster; 

d. March 17, 1863. 

(51) Caleb E. returned here with his parents, residing for a 
short time at the west part of the town, then returning 
to "Centre Road." In July, 1864, he purchased the 
stage and mail route of Mr. Bennett, and with a slight 
exception operated the line until 1880. In 1871-3 he 
attended the general court, and also for three years 
served as selectman. Upon the establishment of the 
post office at Centre road h^ was appointed deputy post- 
master, in which position he has since continued, to the 
entire satisfaction of his townsmen. He m. Nov. 15, 
1849, Charlotte A. West. (See West genealogy.) 

55. Joseph Henry, an adopted son, b. in Boscawen Jan. 23, 1853 ; m. Dec. 28, 1876, 

Laura A. Severance ; res. on the Archelaus Adams farm ; three children. 

56. Francis, b. — ; d. Feb. 19, i860. 

57. Charles P., b. May 20, 1858 ; m. Dec. 15, 1881, Nellie A., dau. of William B. 

Parsons. See. 58. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 28, 1864; m. John Woodbury and 
res. at Concord. 

THIRD BRANCH. 

58. William Kimball Smith was b. at Plaistow, Sept. 13, 1766; 

m. in 1787, Susannah French, who was b. at Sandown 
June 26, 1770. Mr. Smith removed to Salisbury in 
April, 1820, renting of William Haddock the Col. Eben- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 793 

ezer Webster hotel stand, where he d. Sept. 27, 1 820-1. 
Mrs. Smith managed the hotel for seven years, when she 
removed to Republican village, (now Franklin) where 
she carried on the tavern owned by Ebenezer Eastman, 
remaining there till the spring of 1835, when she went 
back to her home, and d. Dec. 29, 1855. Of ten child- 
ren four sons d. in infancy. 

60. William, b. Nov. 19, 1789; d. in Boston, Mass. A lavCyer. Two sons sur- 

vived him, both lawyers: William, now living at Wellesley, Mass., and 
Henry F. Durant (Smith), the founder of Wellesley Female Seminary, who 
d. in Wellesley, Mass., Oct. 3, 1881. 

61. Thomas (Col.), d. in Exeter, March 9, 1S60. Three children survived him. 

62. .Susan, b. Feb. 15, 1792; d. in Franklin, June 3, 1839. 

63. Fannie, b. April 26, 1794; d. in Newbury, Vt., March 26, 1875. 

64. Eliza, b. July 3, 1796; m. David Johnson, of Newbury, Vt., where she resides. 

65. Waity G., b. June 22, 1805 ; m. in April, 1S35, Rev. Thomas Riggs, who died 

in Glens Falls, N. V., Aug. 11, 1880; she res. there. 

FOUKTH BRANCH. 

66. Col. John Baker Smith was b. at Beverly, Mass., Dec. 2, 

1789. His father, John, m. Feb. 19, 1788, Abigail Baker, 
(see Baker genealogy) of Beverly, and removed to Brad- 
ford, N. H., Feb. 21, 1794, remaining till Feb. 27, 1797, 
when he removed to Unity, and in the spring of 1836 
removed to Salisbury, spending his last days with his 
son Nathan. Col. John B. removed with his family from 
Unity to Salisbury in March, 1828, to take the care of 
his mother's brother, (Benjamin Baker) after whose 
death he bought out the tavern stand of John Shepherd, 
which he kept at various times for a long period of years. 
During one of his occupations the house became exten- 
sively known as "Smith's Temperance House," as at 
that time it was an unusual thing to keep a public house 
and not sell liquor. In 1832 he served as deputy sheriff 
and continued as such for a number of years. His title 
of "Colonel" was due to his appointment to the com- 
, mand of the i6th N. H. militia, previous to his removal 



794 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

here. Early in life he became a cattle drover, for the 
Danvers (Mass.) market. He d. Jan. 3, 1859; m. July 
4, 1813, Hannah, dau. of John and Susannah (Chase) 
Huntoon, who was b. at Unity, in 1793 and d. May i, 
1880. Her father (John Huntoon) served at Ticonder- 
oga and was a captain in the revolutionary war ; he was 
b, at Kingston, Jan. 4, 1753, and d. at Salisbury, aged 
85 ; he was the son of Charles, son of John, son of Philip, 
the common ancestor. (See Huntoon genealogy.) 

67. John C, b. in Unity, Aug. 13, 1815. See. 

68. Nancy M., b. May 22, 1818; m. Jan. 27, 1842, Jonathan H. Clement. (See 

merchants.) 

{66) Col. John Cyrus, after receiving a good common school 
education, began life for himself in the purchase of cat- 
tle for the down-country markets, and then as a partner 
with Mr. Jonathan Arey in the wheelwright and black- 
smith business, and for a time freighted goods over the 
road to Boston, Mass., and that vicinity. He afterwards 
purchased the hotel property of his uncle Nathan, which 
with several intermissions he conducted for twenty-one 
years. While owning the hotel he purchased the John 
Townsend house, where he still resides. He commanded 
the Franklin rifle company, was appointed adjutant of 
the twenty-first regiment, passed up through the line of 
promotion, and was made Colonel of the regiment in 
1848. Report says, "he made a very efficient officer, a 
strict disciplinarian, and familiar with all military move- 
ments." Under sheriff P. Gale he served as deputy in 
1854, receiving a similar appointment under William H. 
Rixford ; was appointed justice of the quorum July 11, 
1856, and of the state June 10, 1879, ^"^ in that capaci- 
ty (outside of the profession) has done more business 
than any man in town since the time of Dr. Joseph 
Bartlett, Sr. In the settlement of estates he is excelled 
by few in the county, in proportion to number of inhabi-. 



■^^.^^'^^^'■^h 



\ .'i 




v-E-^V 





^ 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 



795 



tants. A sound and eminent judge of this county said : 
" He was t;he best administrator and caused the least 
trouble of any one I knew." In town affairs he has 
been the acknowledged leader of the democratic party, 
but of late years has given up politics, and the town is 
now about evenly divided politically. He has held at 
times all the town offices, and no person living is so well 
posted on the town's affairs as Col. Smith. As a farmer 
he is successful, as a business man thorough and system- 
atic in all his undertakings; correct in his dates, his 
statements can be relied upon, as the writer has often 
found. To Col. Smith your historian is under great 
obligations for valuable facts, corrections of errors 
and for wise counsel and encouragement when most 
needed. On the completion of the Northern R. R. to 
Franklin, superceding the stage route, he took the first 
contract in 1S46-7 to carry the U. S. mail, receiving it 
at Boscawen, making daily trips and bringing it to South 
road. When the post office was established at West 
Salisbury he sold out the route to William Huntoon, in 
1859, who in turn sold out to Mr. Bennett, the latter sel- 
ling to Caleb E. Smith, who disposed of it to D. J. Mann ; 
he again disposed of his interest to Mr. Smith, from 
whom it passed to J. H. Smith, who continued for a 
year, when it again came into the possession of C. E. 
Smith, then of Col. J. C. Smith, and then of Amos S. 
Bean. Col. Smith m. May 26, 1841, Clara, dau. of Reu- 
ben and Judith H. (Chandler) Johnson, of Penacook, 
who was b. at Concord, Dec. 3, 1817. 

69. George F., b. Sept. i, 1842; m. Sept. 26, 1S67, Annie M. Conner. Had three 

children. He served in the i6th N. II. regiment during the last war ; was 
stationed at Baton Rouge, La., and Nashville, Tenn ; removed to Minne- 
apolis, Minn., in 1S64, and is one of that city's largest hardware merchants. 

70. Clara J., b. Nov. 4, 1S45 ; m. Dec. 23, 1875, Samuel C. Forsaith, (See William 

M. Pierce genealogy), b. in Goffstown, Sept. 29, 1827 ; resided at .Milford, 
removing to Manchester in 1S60; engaged in the manufacture of all va- 
rieties of machinery, doing a business of $400,000 a year ; has held city 



796 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

offices, and served his ward in the legislature in 1876; was made an Odd 
Fellow in 1849, ^ Mason in 1870, and lieutenant in the Amoskeag Veterans ; 
a gentleman foremost in all good works. He dted March 24, 1885. Six 
children living. 

71. May Ella, b. Feb. 24, 1848; m. Dec. 9, 18S5, Henry Burleigh ; res. Attleboro', 

Mass. 

72. John R., b. April 21, 1850; m. in 1875, Leonora B. Day; two children. 

73. Cornelia M., b. Dec. 6, 1853. 74. Hannah E., b. April 23, 1857. 

75. Cyrus H., b. June 26, 1859; d. in Minneapolis, Minn., where he had been in 
trade, Nov. 27, 1881. 



THE SNOW FAMILY. 

Joshua, known as " Fiddler Snow," was a famous character 
residing in the vicinity of Smith's corner. He served in the 
revolution, ( see war chapters ) and removed to Danbury. His 
wife may have been Judith, daughter of old Jacob Bohannon. 
He had a daughter or sister Judith, who married Phineas Bean. 
The following ancient document sufficiently explains itself : 

To the Honorable Committee at Exeter 

Whereas one Joshua Snow was lately returned from (the) Enemy as he says, he 
was taken prisoner and carad to New York, and now he is advertised as a Diserter 
and the young man is willing to throw himself on the favor of the Committee and 
says he can prove that he was taken prisoner by the Enemy near Croton River 
(Hudson river) and the youth prays that the honorable Committee wait till Conall 
Darborn ( Dearborn ) comes to — so that he can make it appear that he was taken 
prisoner and Simeon Sanborn who I send this young man by will be the young 
man's bail which is sufficient, so I refer the whole matter to you the honorable 
Committee of Safety. Obedient humble servant. Ebenezer Webster. 

Salisbury November 
ye 27. 1780. 

1. Jonathan Snow resided at the foot of the hill near the Josiah Hook place; d. at 

Concord, Mass.; m. Sarah, dau. of Jacob Bohannon. 

2. Sarah, b. in 1S16, d. young. 

3. Sophia, b. in 181- ; m. William Dunn and resides at Concord, Mass, 

4. George, b. in 1818; resided at Dracut, Mass. 5. Louisa, b. in 1820. 

6. Charles, b. in 1822 ; resides at Medford, Mass. 

7. Frank, b. in 1824, and resides at Charlestown. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 797 



THE STEVENS FAMILY. 

FOUR BRANCHES. 

I. Major Ebenezer Stevens, of Kingston, died about 1765. 
His children were : 

2. Ebenezer. 3. Samuel. 4. John. 5. Benjamin. 

6. Hannah, m. Tristram Sanborn. 7. Mary, m. Israel Dimond. 

8. Cutting, b. about 1748; came to Salisbury and served four years and three 

months for the 78th lot in the 3d range, it being the farm now occupied by 
Charles F. Green; m. Oct. 7. 1770, Anna, dau. of Dr. Green, of Exeter; 
she d. at Franklin in 1839, aged 94 years ; he d. Dec. 17, 1837. 

9. Anna, b. in Salisbury, May 14, 1771 ; m. Solomon Hartlett, of Deering. 

10. Esther, b. Aug. 11, 1773; "^- Joseph Calef, of Washington, Vt. 

11. Abigail, b. Feb. 10, 1775; m. Richard Stevens, of Wheelock, Vt. 

12. Sarah, b. March 10, 1776; m. Nov. 7, 1796, Reuben French, of Ilopkinton. 

13. Abram G. See. 

14. Elizabeth, b. July 15, 1779; m. Benjamin Tucker. 

15 and 16. Mary and Martha, b. Feb. 27, 1781. Mary m. Nathaniel Greeley; 
Martha m. Samuel .Sleeper, of Washington, Vt. 

17. Lydia, b. — ; m. Stephen Philbrick, of Corinth, Vt. 

(13) Abram Green, b. Jan. 14, 1778; m. Judith Flanders, who 
was b. at South Hampton, Feb. 13, 1775 ; removed to 
New Chester, and afterward to Salisbury lower village 
and lived on the Daniel Webster farm for twelve years. 
They spent their last days with their son, Lorenzo D. 
She d. in February, 1867, at a great age ; he d. August 
27, 1S64. 

18. William, b. Aug. 2, 1800; m. Rebecca Joslin; he d. Jan. 30^ 1852; she d. in 

December, 1S81. 

19. Hiram. See. 20. Cutting G., b. in iSo6. 

21. Enoch C, b. May 9, 1S09; m. April 14, 1833, Mary Fogg, of Hampton, who 

was b. Jan. 15, 1812. He served in the war of the rebellion, in Co. I, 4th 
Reg't N. H. Vols. He d. April 14, 1871; she resides at Lowell, Mass. 
They had one son, George W., who enlisted at the age of fourteen years 
and served in the same company with his father until the close of the war, 
and d. Jan. i8, 1S67, aged 20. 

22. George W., A. M., ( Col.) was b. Nov. 16, 1814. He read law with Hon. Geo. 

W. Nesmith, practiced at the bar in I^conia, and was considered an able 
political orator. He was a colonel in the old state militia on the staff of 
Gen. John Wadleigh. He m. in 1845, i^arah \. Davenport, who d. Nov. 
8, 1875; hed. Oct. 2, 1877. 



798 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

23. Lorenzo D., b. in New Chester, July 4, 1820; m. Ursula P., dau. of Moses Gree- 
ley. He was a captain of grenadiers in the 21st reg't N. H. militia, in 1841 ; 
served in the board of selectmen and was chosen a deacon of the Congre- 
gational church in Franklin, in December, 1S75 > ^^ <^- J^^i- 22, 1S76. 

(19) Hiram, b. Dec. 12, 1803; m. (i) Malinda Pettengill ; m. 
(2) Esther Eastman ; m. (3) Ann Lane. He was an 
elder in the Freewill Baptist church and preached in 
Salisbury, Meredith, and other places. He commenced 
preaching with only a common school education, and 
was an eloquent and powerful speaker. He d. June 6, 
1880. [The foregoing sketch of the first branch of this 
family was compiled by Mrs. Abbie S. Brown.] 

SECOND BRANCH. 

24 Daniel Stevens was b. at Old Plaistow in 1747, removed to 
Salisbury when he became of age, (1768) settled on the 
site now occupied by Benj. Calef, remaining until 1777, 
when he removed to the site now occupied by his grand- 
son, Daniel C. He took part in the battle of Bunker 
Hill and also served in subsequent engagements. He 
d. Oct. 10, 1824, aged 'jj ; m. Mehitable Heath, a sister 
to David Pettengill's wife, her mother being a Bradley ; 
she d. March 6, 1830, aged 93. 

25. Marabah, m. Ebenezer Fellows and removed to Tunbridge, Vt. 

26. Susan m. Stephen Fellows. 27. Isaac, b. in 1768. See. 28. John. 29. Jesse. 
30 and 31. Lizzie and James. 32. Moses, b. Aug. 4, 1779. See. 

33. David, m. June 21, 1810, Nancy Call, of Boscawen. He was a blacksmith and 

carried on the business nearly opp. the D. C. Stevens house; removed to 
Waterloo, ( Warner) and subsequently to Canada. 

(27) Isaac resided in the J. S. Heath house and m. Nov. 13, 
1789, Margaret Greeley, who d. May 21, 1837, aged ^6\ 
he d. Jan. 25, 1837. 

34. Nathaniel, b. Dec. 1, 1791 ; d. July 4, 1S30, unm. 

35. Maria, b. in 180c; m. R. Fitts, of Boscawen; d. Jan. i, 1833. 

36. Rhoda, b. July 22, 1813; m. May 21, 1835, John Pressey, (see.) 

37. Sarah, b. in 1796; d. May i, 1853, """"• 

38. Ruth, b. in 1797; d. Sept. 5, 1834, unm. 

39. Nancy, m. Green Greeley ; d. in 1882. 40. Miriam, removed to Andover. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 799 

{32) Moses remained on the homestead, building the present 
house ; he m. Nancy Colby, of Enfield, who was b. 
March ii, 1788, and d. March 17, 1842; he d. May 16, 
1844. 

41. Lydia, b. March 8, 1806; m. Feb. 4, 1846, Ebenezer Johnson ; d. Oct. 28, 1865. 

42. John, b. Sept. i, 1808; m. Nancy Stevens and resides at Jackson, Mich. 

43. Gilbert, b. May 11, iSii; m. Elvira Wing and resides at Oysterville, Wash- 

ington Territory. 

44. Mary, b. Aug. 3, 1S13; m. April 25. 1S34, George W. Morgan and resides at 

riainfield. 

45. Mehitable, b. Oct. 22, 181 5; m. Newell J. Fifield; he d. April 2, 1878. 

46. Nancy, b. March 4, 1S17 ; d. May i, 182 1. 

47. Daniel, b. April 20, 1820; d. June 3, 1821. 

48. Lucretia A., b. Dec. 22, 1823; d. Nov. 2, 1844. 

49. Daniel C, b. Jan. 3, 1826. See. 

50. Francis, b. March 8, 1828; m. May 20, 185S, Sarah Shaw and resides at North- 

field. 

51. Andrew J., b. Sept. 11, 1S31 ; d. Aug. 13, 1S33. 52. An infant, d. young. 

(49) Daniel Colby remains on the homestead ; m. April 20, 
1848, Ruth W. Severance. 

53. Nancy E., d. Jan. 4, 1856. 54. True O., b. Oct. 29, 1856. 
55. Amelia A., b. Oct. 29, 1S5S. 56. John A., b. Aug. 14, i86i. 
57. Sadie M., b. May 7, 1865. 



THIRD BRANCH. 

58 Jesse Stevens bought the north half of the 80 acre lot No. 
19, second range, of Joseph Webster, Feb. 21, 1767, for 
;^I20, immediately removing here from Old Plaistow, 
where he was born, settling just south of the present 
residence of his grandson, Moses J., and died soon after. 
He m. Abigail Jackman, of Plaistow. 

59. David, ."^ee. 

60. Bartholomew removed to Vermont; he m. May 15, 1806, Eunice Scribner, of 

Salisbury. 

61. Jesse, m. April 6, 1803, Betsey Hook and removed to Chelsea, Vt., where his 

children were born ; returned to Salisbury and d. in Webster. 
67. Rachel, m. I'.enjamin Scribner ; d. in Corinth, Vt. 
63. Polly, m. (I) — Sumner; m. (2) — Brown. 64. — m. Brackett Greenough. 



800 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

65. Moses, m. (i) Aug. 6, 1793, Elizabeth Fifield ; m. (2) Dec. 29, 1796, Mary 

Heath; m. (3) at Corinth, Vt., — Currier. He had a son Daniel b. here, 
who removed to Vermont with his father, returned to Salisbury and m. 
Jan. 25, 181 5, Dorothy Peasley, of Sutton, then removed to Sutton for two 
years, but returned and eventually bought the " Lewis farm," and followed 
the occupation of a cattle drover. In 1851 he removed to Potter Place 
(Andover) and d. Jan. 13, 1852, aged 58; she d. April 27, 1873. Their 
children were: i. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 4, 1815; m. Nov. 28, 1837, Jeremiah 
J. Scribner; d. May 23, 1S81. 11. Asenath, b. April 14, 1818; m. Oct. 8, 
1840, Rev. Solomon Holman, of Concord; she d. at Portsmouth, Jan. 21, 
1866. III. Moses, b. Feb. 17, 1819; m. in January, 1846, Emily E. Call, of 
Boscawen, and resides at Franklin, iv. Arvilla, b. Oct. 9, 1821 ; m. Nov. 
28, 1844, Timothy Eastman, who was b. at Boscawen (Webster,) Nov. 23, 
1814, and resides on the farm cleared by Daniel Brottlebank. Children all 
b. in Salisbury: i. Charlotte A., b. Oct. 26, 1845; ii. Delflora M., b. 
Aug. 15, 1849; iii. Susan B., b. March 10, 1857. v. Nancy Jane, b. in 
August, 1823; m. in June, 1844, James Fellows, (see.) vi. Susan S., b. 
June 14, 1825; m. June 10, 1845, E. M. Dunbar and resides in Warner. 
VII. Frank, b. in April, 1827; m. (i) in November, 1842, Miriam Glover; 
m. (2) Mary Mills; m. (3) Clara Stevens, viii. Maria, b. in March, 1829; 
m. D. J. Calef, (see.) ix. Benjamin, b. Jan. 4, 1832; m. in July, 1868, 
Lucy Towle; he d. March i, 1880; resided at Chichester, x. Mary Ann 
was b. April 13, 1834; m. Sept. 28, 1867, Pliny A. Fellows, xi. Andrew 
J., b. July 16, 1836; m. Mary Locke. 

(59) David, his father dying when he was sixteen years of age, 
had the farm and its cares fall upon his young shoulders, 
but he conducted the same most successfully, in after 
years becoming quite a landowner. He built the house 
occupied by his son, Moses J., where he d. March 7, 
7, 1865, aged 89; m. in 1799, Abigail, dau. of Hezekiah 
and Abigail (Pearson) Foster, who d. April 22, 1859. 

66. Abby C. W., b. Aug. 6, 1799; m. March 15, 1819, Stephen Carter, formerly of 

Canterbury; he d. January 22, 1830; m. (2) April 2, 1845, James Worces- 
ter, of Sanford, Me. She d. from accidental injuries, April 17, 1863; he 
d. June 16, 1843. 

67. Hezekiah F., b. in i8ci ; m. Rahannah Titcomb. He built the house opposite 

the homestead, where he remained ten years, then removing to Salem, 
Mass., where he was overseer of the city farm, then to Amesbury, where he 
d. April 27, 1848. Children all b. here: {?) Henry A. (Rev.) graduated 
at Amherst College in 1S57, studied for the ministry at Andover Theologi- 
cal Seminary, completing in i860, was ordained Sept. 12, 1861, and settled 
as pastor at Melrose, Mass. He was dismissed May iS, 186S, and became 
pastor of the First church, North Bridgewater, in June, 1868; was installed 



GENEALOGY AND BFOGRAPHY 80I 

at Brighton, June ii, 1874; became pastor of the Congregational church at 
Bristol, K. T., July 26, 1S81, where he still continues. He m. Oct. 23, 1S61. 
Sarah N., dau. of Hon. Moses Tenney, of (Georgetown, Mass. ir. Moses, 
in. Charles A., resides in Colorado, iv. Ellen, b. at Salem, Mass., d. — . 

68. Judith, b. in September, 1802; m. July 18, 1822, Joseph Scribner, of Sutton ; 

removed to Ohio; d. in May, 1879. 

69. Ruth G., b. May 15, 1S04; m- Nov. 12, 1831, Ira Worcester, of Ipswich, Mass., 

where she d. Oct. 17, 1879. 

70. David, b. in 1S06; d. Sept. 17, 1S25. 71. Jesse, b. Aug. 14, 1S07. ^^e. 

72. Betsey, b. in July, 1S09; d. Dec. 7, 1827. 

73. Rachel, b. in iSii ; m. in 1839, Israel 13. Bean, who d. May 2, 1S74, aged 84; 

she d. March 3, 1841. 74. Moses J., b. Sept. 27, 1S16. See. 

75. William J., b. Feb. 5, 182 1 ; m. Cynthia Young, of Acworth. 

(71) Jesse m. (i) April i8, 1847, Sarah E. Currier, who d. May 
24, 185 1 ; m. (2) May 6, 1859, Sarah, dau. of Paul and 
Sarah (Marcutor) Tebbetts, who d. July 16, 1881, leav- 
ing no children. He d. Jan. 7, 1890. 

(74) Moses J. continued on the homestead, as one of our lead- 
ing farmers, an active member of the " Kearsarge Agri- 
cultural Association," and a justice of the peace. He 
gave material aid in the erection of the Union meeting 
house. He m. Sept. 3, 1846, Phebe W. Rogers. In 
1850 he went to Andover, Mass., where he had charge 
of the almshouse for four years, was turnkey at the house 
of correction, at Ipswich, and afterwards filled the same 
position in the jail, at Salem. He d. Dec. 11, 1886. 

76. Annie A., b. Aug. 5, 1847 > f"- John Shaw. See. 

77. Justin F., b. June 13, 1S59; m. May 5, 1SS5, Lizzie Corser. 

rOURTH BRANCH. 

78. Deacon Hubbard Stevens was b. at Durham in 1767. 

When eleven years of age he went to Gilmanton, living 
in the family of Joseph Parsons, with whom he learned 
the trade of tanner and currier. He remained with Mr. 
Parsons during his minority, after which he went to 
Maine and visited his parents whom he had not seen for 
nearly eleven years. Returning to Gilmanton he became 

51 



802 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

acquainted with and married, Jan. 31, 1768, Miss Lydia 
Berry, who was born at Gilmanton (?) in 1768. Shortly 
afterwards, in 1788-9, he removed to Salisbury, settling 
on North Road, in what is now known as the Morrison 
house. Here he opened up a tanning business and 
shoe-making. He afterwards returned to Gilmanton, 
remaining there three years. He returned to Salisbury, 
and d. in the S. B. Sweatt house, Jan. 31, 1852. His 
first wife d. Aug. 19, 1826, and he m. (2) Dec. 12, 1827, 
Miss Mary Baker, of Pembroke. Mr. Stevens, soon 
after his removal here, united with the Congregational 
Church, of which he was chosen Deacon in 1801, holding 
that office thirty-five years. 

79. Sally, b. Apr. 10, 1789; m. Deacon William Parsons. See. 

80. Lydia, b. Dec. 2, 179c; m. Dec. i, 1814, William Huntoon, of Andover. 

81. Betsy, b. Sept. i, — ; m. Capt. Moses Sanborn; she d. Sept. 4, 1867 ; he resides 

in Bristol. 82. Deborah, b. Sept. 29, — ; d. at Wilmot, unm. 
S3. Joseph P., b. in 1799. See. 84. Amos P., b. March 11, 1806. See. 

(83) Joseph Parsons m. (i) Laura, dau. of Dr. Sayles, of Graf- 

ton ; m. (2) Mrs. Nancy Randall, of Canterbury; she 
resides in Franklin; he d. Sept. 28, 1869. He resided 
in the first house west of D. R. McAllister's. Children 
by first wife : 

85. Almina M. 86. Emma, unm. ; a school teacher in Lawrence. 
87. Ellen, m. Perry Martin ; res. Grafton. 88. Isabella, d. young. 

(84) Amos Pettengill m. (i) July 10, 1834, Abigail C. Phil- 

brick, who d. Feb. 22, 1864; m. (2) March 27, 1866, 
Asenath Upton, of Wilmot. He resided on the Philbrick 
farm in the north-west part of the town until 1870, when 
he removed to Wilmot. 

89. Elbridge G., b. Aug. 20, 1842 ; d. Aug. 31, 1872. 

90. Martha P., b. Oct. 18, 1836; d. Dec. 25, 1838. 



w 



GENEALOGY AND niOGKAFHY 803 



THE SWETF FAMILY. 

Formerly spelled Sweate and various ways as it was pro- 
nounced. John Sweate was admitted to the freedom of the 
Massachusetts colony May i8, 16.42, and was one of the New- 
bury grantees, Dec. 7, 1642. His son (?) Elisha, b. at Hampton 
in 1670, m. Karthiah, dau. of Thomas Page, Oct. 3, 1696. He 
d. at Kingston in 1753; had two children: John, b. Dec. 4, 
1702; Elisha, b. Sept. 30, 1705, and d. in 1788. Frequent 
mention is made of this Elisha, who was a grantee of Salisbury 
— "a smart, capable and much respected man." He was chosen 
Deacon of the First Congregational Church at Kingston in 
July, 1755- 

1. Joseph Swett removed here from Danville in 1754, settling 

on Cash street; removed thence to Raccoon Hill, where 
he cleared up the George Shaw farm, the latter pur- 
chasing it of Joseph Swett, Jr. Mr. Swett then removed 
to Andover, and cleared up the C. J. White place. He 
d. Sept. 25, 1806, aged 77. He was a member of the 
society called "Friends," and of that portion known as 
"White Quakers," which name was applied on account 
of the drab clothing worn by them. He m. Hannah 
Sleeper, who d. Feb. 21, 1825, aged 92. He had a brother 
Elisha, who removed to Vermont and d. "very aged." 

2. Joseph, b. in Salisbury; remained on the Raccoon Hill farm some years; re- 

moved to Andover; m. — ; no issue. He was one of our leading citizens 
and an active member of the Baptist Church. 

3. Peter, b. Oct. 22, 1756. See. 

4. John D., b. — ; m. ( ? ) April 6, 1S24, Hann.ili Wrlwtcr. (Sec iS.) 

5. Mary. 6. Sally. 

(3) Peter remained on the homestead and, like his brother, was 
strongly interested in the Baptist Church. He m. Mary 
Wadleigh, who was b. in 1760 and d. Nov. 14, 18 14. 
He d. May 13, 1822. Children all b. in Salisbury: 



804 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

7. Sally, b. Nov. 17, 1785; d. in May, 1S59, unm. [A Sally Sweatt m. Sept. 29, 
1807, John W. Gushing, of Bath.] 8. Mary, b. Feb. 22, 1788; d. young. 

9. Polly, b. May 14, 1791 ; m. Jan. 24, 1819, Capt. Joseph Brown; d. in Andover, 

Feb. 23, 1861. Had Daniel and Peter, 
ro. Joseph (Col.), b. Jan. 4, 1795; m. Betsey Burbank ; no issue. He resided in 
the William Haddock house. He was appointed Adjutant of the 21st 
Regt. in 1826, Major in 1830, Lt. Col. in 1S31, and Col. in 1834. He held 
state and county offices, was a man of much respectability and honored by 
all who were acquainted with him. He d. Jan. 25, 1S78. 

11. Peter (Hon.), b. March 27, 1801. He began life's business as a merchant at 

Grafton; removed to Brockport, N. Y., in 1830, remaining until 1S36 
when he removed to Peoria, 111., where he did a large mercantile business. 
He d. at Peoria, July 29, 186S. In 1853 he represented the Peoria district 
in the State Senate ; was postmaster of Peoria, re-appointed by President 
Buchanan, and was city treasurer. He m. in Brockport, Frances Trum- 
bull, of Philadelphia, Pa., where she d. in 1872. Had one daughter, 
Josephine, b. in 1832 ; m. L. D. Collins, who died in 1867 ; she resides in 
New Orleans, La. 

12. John W., b. May 11, 1803. On becoming of age he began trade at New Ches- 

ter; sold out in 1831 and removed to Brockport, N. Y., where he re- 
mained till 1843; returning, he went into business in the old "Factory 
Store" at Franklin Falls, where he remained until 1853; he continued in 
trade until 1873. ^^^ ^- ^^^Y -9' 1879. He m. Eliza Tucker, by whom 
he had five children, all of whom are dead but Mrs. Ann Tilton, who 
resides in F"ranklin Falls. 

13 John Sweatt [may have been son of Joseph (i)], m. Nov. 
4, 1779, Hannah Patterson. 

14. Anne, b. Aug. 7, 1780. 15. Hannah, b. June 17, 1782. 
16. Sarah, b. April 17, 1784. 17. Polly, b. April 11, 1786. 
18. John, b. April 17, 1789; may have m. Hannah Webster, instead of 4. 

Huldah Sweatt m. Dec. 2, 1818, Ebenezer Lang, Jr. Moses Sweatt m. April 13, 
1823, Abigail Eastman. Susan Sweatt m. Dec. 14, 1814, Nathaniel Clark, of San- 
bornton. 



THE TANDY FAMILY. 

I. Abel, accompanied by two brothers, emigrated from 
Scotland. He settled just west of the hill west of the present 
house, which is over one hundred years old. He was a power- 
ful built and muscular man. He settled here just after his 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 805 

marriage, Nov. 5, 1751, to Rachel Smith, a sister to Ezekiel 
Webster's first wife. In 18 19, when going to her home from 
Shaw's Corner, she was caught in a whirlwind on the sand hill 
just south of the house, was thrown down by its violence and 
choked by the sand from the effects of which she died in a few 
hours. He died May 19, 1797. An Abel Tandy had baptized 
at Kingston, July 19, 1761, a son Abel. 

2. Samuel, b. Sept. 10, 1766. See. 3. Rachel, b. Oct. 7, 176S; m. — IMake. 

4. Priscilla, b. Dec. 28, 1770; m. — lllake, a brother to above; rem. to Canada. 

(2) Samuel m. Nov. 29, 1787, Hannah Sanborn. 

5. Polly, b. Oct. 30, 1789; d. young. 6. Sally, b. Sept. 12, 1791 ; d. unm., aged 83, 

7. Polly, b. Aug. 4, 1793; d- young. 

8. Moses, b. Sept. 28, 1795 ! •"• Susan Moody ; rem. to Charlestown, Mass. ; d. — ; 

he was a cooper by trade. 9. Abel, b. 1797. See. 

10. Hannah, b. July 24, 1799; m. June 11, 1818, Capt. Joseph Morrill; d. 1876. 

11. Deliverance, b. July 11, iSoi ; d. young. 

12. Lavina, b. May 25, 1803; m. Sept. 25, 1828, Osgood Colby, of Bristol. 

13. Mehitable, b. July 29, 1S05; m. May 12, 1825, Walter H. Cross; d. — . 

14. Eliza, b. June i, 1807 ; m. .April 25, 1S30, William Cross; he d. Oct. 3, 1877. 

15. .Samuel, b. in July, 1S09; d. in 1816. 

(9) Abel removed to Vermont ; returned to the River Road, 
north of Orphans' Home; thence removed to Haverhill, 
Mass. ; d. — . He was a cooper by trade. He m. Sarah, 
dau. of Moses Page. Children born in Salisbury : 

16. Almira, m. Joseph liean; res. Haverhill, Mass. 

17. Sarah, m. (i) — Taylor; m. (2) — Sebley. 

i8. Mehitable, b. in Vt.; m. Jesse Sargent. 19. John, b. in Salisbury; d. young. 



THE THOMSON FAMILY. 

TWO liRANCHES. 

I. Hon. Thomas White (sec lawyers) was the son of Thomas 
Thompson, who was b. Oct. 3, 1742, near Alnwick {}), North- 
umberland, England, and d. at Newburyport, Mass., March 7, 
1808, and Isabella White, who was b. at Glasgow, Scotland, 



8o6 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

May i6, 1743, and d. at Nevvburyport, Aug. 24, 1791. He was 
b. at Boston, Mass., March 15, 1766; m. Dec. 25, 1796, Elisa- 
beth Porter, who was b. at Haverhill, N. H., June 21, 1775. 
He d. at Plymouth, Sept. 2, 1834. 

2. Lucia Kinsman, b. in Salisbury, May 6, 179S; d. June 29, 1S24; m. Jan. 9, 1S23, 

Rev. Thomas J. Murdock, of Norwich, Vt. 

3. Caroline, b. Jan. 8, 1801 ; d. Jan. 19, iSoi. 

4. William Coombs, b. March 17, 1802. He read law with 

Hon. George Blake, of Boston, and Parker Noyes (see), 
at Salisbury. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 
1820, and began the practice of his chosen profession at 
Concord in 1824, removing to Plymouth in 1826. In 
1852, he removed to Worcester, Mass., and there con- 
tinued until his death, April 27, 1877. The following 
obituary, by William R. Hooper, Esq., appeared in the 
Congregationalist : 

* * * "In his early life" he settled at Plymouth, 
N. H., where he took high rank at the bar as a safe and 
judicious counsellor. Too modest and quiet to be a 
successful jury advocate, he acquired a large practice by 
the confidence the community felt in his legal knowledge 
and his sound judgment. He early identified himself 
with the church there, and became one of its steadfast 
pillars. On his removal to Worcester, he joined the 
Central Church, Rev. Dr. Sweetser, pastor, where he 
was a uniform supporter of every good work. Age 
brought blindness, and blindness brought grace. In the 
last few years of a life shut off from all outward activity, 
he found no occasion for murmur, but only for rejoicing. 
He ripened for heaven by meditation on God's goodness. 
'My cup runneth over with blessings,' he was wont to 
say. He came to his grave in full age, like a shock of 
^" corn fully ripe, leaving behind him a high reputation as 
a man, a lawyer and a christian." 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY SO/ 

He m. (i) Oct. 15, 1828, at Windsor, Vt., Martha H., 
dau. of John Leverett, of Windsor, who d. April 26, 1841 ; 
m. (2) June 21, 1843, Susan B., dau. of John Nelson, of 
Haverhill, i. William Charles (LL. B., Harvard, 1856), 
b. at Plymouth, Sept. 25, 1832; graduated at Dartmouth 
College in 1853 ; practised law several years at St. Paul, 
Minn. ; present residence, Worcester, Mass. n. John 
Leverett, b. at Plymouth, Feb. 2, 1835; served through 
the war of the rebellion; Colonel of ist N. H. Cavalry, 
and brevetted Brigadier General at the close of the war; 
at present engaged in the practice of law in Chicago; 
m. Sept. 5, 1866, Laura Chandler, of Concord; their 
children, born in Chicago, are, Leverett, b. Nov. 1 1, 1869, 
and Susan, b. Jan. 26, 1874. in. Thomas W., (A. M.), 
named for his grandfather, b. at Plymouth, Aug. 31, 
1837; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1S59, and at 
Andover Theological Seminary in 1866; from 1868 to 
1875, missionary of the American Board in Pekin, 
China; resides in Worcester, Mass. iv. Martha Lev- 
erett, b. at Plymonth, Sept. 3, 1840; d. at Plymouth, 
April 30, 1846. 

5. Francis, b. at Salisbury, Feb. 24, 1S04; drowned in Merrimack river, June 22, 

1814. 

6. Charles Edward, b. at Salisbury, June 19, 1807. Fitted for 

college at the Salisbury Academy and graduated at 
Dartmouth in 1828. Read law one year with his 
brother at Plymouth, then traveled three years in South 
America and the south seas, after which he engaged in 
trade at Mobile, Ala., until 1835. Returning to Plym- 
outh, he completed his law studies and was admitted to 
the bar in 1838. He commenced practice, Nov. 28, 
1838, at Haverhill, where he continued till 1854, when 
he removed to Chicago, 111. Resides at Cresskill, N. J. 
He m. May 20, 1835, Mary, dau. of Hon. Miles Olcott, 
of Hanover, i. Isabella D., b. Mobile, March 29, 1836; 



808 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

m. Charles Briggs, of New York City; res. Cresskill. 
II. Helen H., b. Hanover, Dec. 30, 1837; d. Jan. 25, 
1847. III. Alice, b. Haverhill, Nov. 23, 1840; d. Feb. 
23, 1846. IV. Caroline Bell, b. Haverhill, July 29, 1843. 
, V. Richard, b. Haverhill, July 12, 1845; d. Chicago. 

SECOND BRANCH. 

7. Moses r. Thompson, b. at Wilmot, Aug. 31, 1817. At the age of fifteen he 

came to Salisbury and apprenticed himself to Deacon William Cate to 
learn the tailoring business. After Mr. Cate died he succeeded him in the 
old established stand, where he continued a large and lucrative business a 
few years longer. He removed to Sutton and remained a year, then 
returned and continued in business until ready-made clothing came into 
general use. Mr. Thompson has been intimately connected with the 
town's affairs, serving as collector four years, representative two terms, 
selectman a number of times, and county treasurer in 1865; was appointed 
deputy sheriff under Nathaniel A. Davis (see justices). He became 
Captain in the militia, Aug. 20, 1S43, ^^ t^^^ 4*^^ Co. of Infantry, 21st Regt., 
4th Brigade. He m. Aug, 22, 1838, Lucia A., granddaughter of Ens. 
Moses Garland. 

8. Mary A., b. June 7, 1839; d. April 8, 1840. 

9. Resto H., b. Feb. 19, 1841 ; m. Aug. 28, 1866, Jennie P. Godfrey. 

ID. Mary A., b. June 4, 1843; m. March 20, 1863, Frank A. Buzzell, of Andover; 
res. Providence, R. I. 

11. Susan E., b. July 7, 1845; m. Sylvester W. Greene. See. 

12. Francis W., b. Sept. 29, 1847 > ^- E)ec. 26, 1880, Caroline R. Piper; res. Tilton. 

13. Lucia E., b. Dec. 3, 1854; m. June 5, 1870, George H. Scribner. 



THE TOWNSEND FAMILY. 

The Townsend, or Townshend, families of America are a 
mixture of Saxon and Norman origin, and of great antiquity in 
the county of Norfolk, England. Walter Atte Townshende, 
son of Sir Locloviede de Townshende, a Norman nobleman 
whom Collins, in his "Peerage of England," puts at the head 
of the family, flourished soon after the conquest. 

John Townsend was a descendant from Thomas Townsend, 
of Lynn, Mass., who had sixty acres of land deeded to him in 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 8O9 

the general division in 1638, was a freeman the same year, a 
grand juryman in 1641, and a person of influence in the colony ; 
his signature to a petition in the General Court, in 1643, can 
still be seen in the Massachusetts Archives, book in, folio i. 
His son Samuel lived at Rumney and Chelsea, Mass.; he held 
several town offices, was freeman in 1683, and d. in 1704. His 
eldest son Samuel removed to Charlestown and afterwards to 
Maiden, where he died in 1723; he was a husbandman and 
planter, a member of the "Ancient and Honorable Artillery 
Company," of Boston, a freeman in 1690; had two wives and 
several children ; his estate was settled by his widow and the 
eldest son by the second marriage was John, who was b. at 
Charlestown in 1701 ; m. Hannah Hancock, a cousin of Gov. 
John Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence ; he lived at Charlestown till the battle of Bunker Hill, 
when his house was burned by the British troops in the general 
conflagration after the battle; he was then 74 years old, and 
fled with his aged wife to the house of his son, Cornet David, 
at Waltham, where he d. in 1792. His son Ebenezer had re- 
moved from Charlestown, where he was born, with his wife, 
Ann Parker, early in 1775, to Chester, N. H., where he estab- 
lished himself as a saddler and was a prominent citizen of the 
place, held town offices and was interested as a private citizen 
in public affairs; he m. in Chester, June 4, 1776, Ann Parker, 
who d. June 12, 1831, aged 71 ; he d. Oct. 12, 1840, aged 88 
nine children blessed their union, of whom 

I. John, the eldest and subject of this sketch, was b. at Ches 
ter, March 24, 1777. He early removed to Salisbury 
where he m. Feb. 12, 1804, Anne, dau. of Benjamin and 
Mary (George) Baker (see), of Salisbury; she d. Dec. 15 
1854. Mr. Townsend was a saddler and harness-maker, 
and carried on a large business for many years, building 
the Arthur S. Calcf residence for a workshop. For 
many years he resided in the John C. Smith house; later 
in life he removed the "white store" from opposite 



8lO HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Nathan Kilburn's, which now constitutes the one- 
story part of Mr. Kilburn's house, built the two-story 
addition, and resided in the Kilburn house until his 
death, Jan. ii, 1849. The introduction of railroads 
caused him to turn his attention to other pursuits. He 
was one of the selectmen, was town clerk thirteen years, 
and representative to the General Court in 1826-28. 
He was appointed postmaster in 1829, but declined, as 
he favored the appointment of his friend, Thomas R. 
Greenleaf. He was register of deeds for Merrimack Co. 
from 1837 to 1839. I^ politics a Jeffersonian Republi- 
can, and as such elected to the General Court. When 
that party went out of existence in the campaign which 
resulted in the election of Andrew Jackson to the Presi- 
dency in the autumn of 1828, he became a member of 
the Democratic party. He took a lively interest in 
public affairs, was a keen observer, a great reader, a 
profound and acute reasoner. He was an industrious 
member of the General Court, serving on important 
committees ; he took an active part in framing a bill for 
the more equitable distribution of the public taxes, and 
had more than an ordinary interest in the cause of edu- 
cation. In town affairs he was looked up to for advice 
and council. His advice had great weight in the settle- 
ment of estates. He was not given to lengthy addresses 
in public assemblies, but what he said was always to the 
point. He was much esteemed and respected by all 
who knew him. 

2. Mary Anrt, b. July 7, 1S04; m. May 13, 1S24, Timothy Taylor, of Lebanon. 

3. Elizabeth Jane, b. Feb. 6, 1806, m. Nov. 9, 1S32, James P. McGregory, of New- 

port. 4. Emily F., b. March 16, 180S: d. Feb. 20, 1815. 

5. John Baker, b. Jan. 17, iSio. See. 

6. Charles, b. Nov. 27, 1S12; d. Feb. 28, 1S35, unm. 

7. Catherine P., b. Jan. 20, 1S15; m. (i) Coram Sheperd, of Salisbury; he was 

drowned in Poverty Pond, in Hill, and she m. (2) Amos Tuck, of Exeter; 
no children. 

8. Daniel G., b. Oct. 6, 1S20; d. July 27, 1830. 

9. Patrick Henry, b. Oct. 20, 1823. See. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 8ll 

(5) John Baker learned his father's trade, but his desire to 
acquire knowledge and experience by travel led him to 
leave his native town at the age of eighteen years, visit- 
ing the principal cities and towns in Massachusetts, 
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio, working 
at his trade in the various places, improving himself in 
his occupation until he became expert in the branch 
which he preferred and which gave the largest return, 
that of saddle-making. He visited home occasionally, 
but never again made this his residence. He established 
himself in business with his brother Charles at Rutland, 
Vt., under the firm of Townsend & Co. This point 
being a staging centre, they did a good business. Here 
he married Eliza C. Alrood, dau. of John and Olive 
(Cogswell) Alrood, of Cornwell. He was afterwards 
established in Middlebury, where his eldest son was 
born, and afterwards in Montpelier. In 1835 he removed 
to Albany, and to Troy, N. Y., the same year, where he 
formed a partnership with his friend, under the firm of 
Paddock & Townsend, carrying on the largest business 
north of New York City. At that time a large stage 
manufacturing business was carried on in Troy, and 
orders came from all parts of the country, and from 
Texas and Mexico, for stages, harnesses and saddles. 
The firm found employment for scores of workmen to 
fill their orders for stage equipments, besides others on 
finer work for their custom trade nearer home. The 
crisis of 1837 wrecked them and the partnership was 
dissolved ; but Mr. Townsend soon started again and did 
a custom trade which flourished for many years. About 
1852 he retired from business and took a more active 
interest in public affairs, became a prominent leader in 
the Democratic party, and held many political positions 
of party honor and confidence. He also held various 
local offices of honor and trust, had many friends, was 



8l2 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

very active and energetic, and took part usually in most 
of the public movements in which citizens engaged. He 
possessed a fine intellect and a generous heart, and his 
mind was well stored with facts and the details of public 
events that had transpired during his life. Possessing a 
genial disposition, his many good qualities endeared him 
to numerous friends and acquaintances. He was U. S. 
deputy marshal for the northern district of New York in 
1858, and for several years he was city marshal at Troy; 
he was a commissioner of his native state for the state 
of New York, having received his appointment from Gov. 
William Haile in 1857. He d. at Troy, Jan. 23, 1869, 
His wife d. Oct. 23, 1876. 

10. John Pomeroy, living in New York City since 1850; vice 

president of the Bowery Savings Bank, the largest insti- 
tution of the kind in the country, having assets of over 
^40,000,000; president of the Municipal Gas Light Co., 
Rochester; vice president of the Maritime Exchange; 
director of the Long Island R. R. Co. ; secretary and a 
manager of the Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled, 
and a trustee and manager in other benevolent and chari- 
table institutions. He contributed the items for this 
sketch. He m. Elizabeth A. Baldwin, dau. of Nehemiah 
and Mary Baldwin, and has three children. 

11. Emily F. m. J. W. Cusack, of Troy. 

12. Charles H. m. Martha J. Bentley; res. New York City. 

13. Sarah J. m. Frank A. Ray; res. Albany, N. Y. 14. Helen E. d. young. 
15. Alwood B. d. young. 16. Kate S. m. Frank Wright; res. Troy. 

(9) * Patrick Henry Townsend, son of John and Anna (Baker) 
Townsend, was born at Salisbury, the 20th of October, 
A. D. 1823. His early life was spent in Salisbury. He 
had no real liking for trade and a decided aversion to 
work upon the land. In his seventeenth year he went 
to Lebanon, N. H., and attended the academy for several 

* Abstract of sketch prepared by the late Hon. Amos Tuck, of Exeter, N. H. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 813 

terms. On his return home, and stating his ambition to 
pursue a collegiate course, his father remembered that 
having been obliged, as surety for another person, to pay 
about eight hundred dollars to Phillips Exeter Academy, 
he had been told by the treasurer that the trustees would 
feel disposed, out of sympathy for him to assist any son 
he might send to that school. At the earnest solicita- 
tion of Henry, his father went to E.xeter, and arranged 
terms for his admission. His scholarship and progress 
were very satisfactory, and the trustees, on the recom- 
mendation of the faculty, admitted him to the charity 
foundation. Such a favor could only be bestowed upon 
a pupil of superior merit and scholarship. Doctors Sparks 
and Palfrey and Professor Bowen, as well as others, had 
many years before enjoyed similar privileges at the 
academy, and made the position particularly honorable. 
Young Townsend's course at the academy enabled him, 
in the fall of 1848, to enter the junior class at Bowdoin 
College. By his course ^t Exeter he acquired a good 
reputation and general success, which he maintained at 
Brunswick, and was graduated with credit at the com- 
mencement in 1850. Among his classmates were Gen. 
Howard, of the U. S. Army, and Gov. Chamberlain, 
afterwards president of the college. Being somewhat in 
debt for college expenses, he accepted a position in the 
Treasury Department at Washington, which he held 
until the advent of Franklin Pierce's administration. 
During this time Henry made some progress in the 
study of law, the profession he intended to follow. He 
subsequently, at Exeter, in the office of Hon. Amos 
Tuck, his brother-in-law, and at Galena, 111., in the office 
of Hon. E. B. Washburn, afterwards Member of Con- 
gress, Secretary of State under Gen. Grant, and U. S. 
Minister at Paris, completed his law studies and was ad- 
mitted to practice. About this time, the idea of rescuing 



8l4 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Kansas from the slaveholders took possession of the 
people of the North, and Henry decided to cast his lot 
with the Northern emigrants. He arrived at Lawrence, 
Kansas, in the fall of 1855, at the height of excitement. 
The night of his arrival the Free State Hotel, where he 
stopped, was seized, rifled and burned by border ruffians, 
and he lost a large portion of his clothing. Mr. Towns- 
end became interested in property at Big Springs, and 
established himself at that place. But the territory was 
so agitated that he had no opportunity for quiet atten- 
tion to business, and soon interested himself wholly in 
the great question then convulsing the country. He 
became a member in due time of the Free State Terri- 
torial Convention at Topeka, and took an active part in 
resisting and finally in thwarting the designs of the 
slaveholders. He sympathized fully with John Brown, 
and was very serviceable in forwarding the action which 
finally overpowered the enemies of the territory. Thus 
engaged, he postponed all plans for private gain and was 
there during the successive years of famine occasioned 
by drought and the grasshopper plague. During these 
periods, Mr. Tovvnsend was among the most serviceable 
and devoted of those who suffered and labored for that 
unhappy territory. He took measures to have money 
and supplies collected where he had acquaintances, and 
devoted his whole time and services to distributing con- 
tributions so as to relieve the pervading distress. He 
travelled on foot in many cases in the dead of winter, 
across the trackless prairies, at the risk of perishing 
himself, in order to save the lives of families he knew to 
be without food or clothing. In one case, he arrived at 
a house just in time, by most tender and discreet aid, to 
save the life of a woman about to expire from hunger. 
Having thus labored through all the dark days of Kan- 
sas, with serious danger to his health, without laying up 



GENEALOGY AND HIOGKArHY. 815 

anything, and having expended all he had in serving 
others, his friends recommended him to accept a position 
in the Treasury Department at Washington, and on the 
4th of April, 1861, he entered upon his duties there 
under Mr. Chase, the Secretary. He had scarcely been 
inducted into office, before he became a member of a 
volunteer military company, which did service every 
night in defending the President's house and in guard- 
ing the city against attack. He soon attained promo- 
tion in his position and continued in the Treasury De- 
partment with satisfaction to all. In the month of May, 
1864, he had been unwell for about a week, so that he 
confined himself to his room. While encased in con- 
versation with a friend, in a brief pause in their talk he 
suddenly expired. II is decease caused great grief among 
a large circle of friends. His remains were sent to Exe- 
ter, N. H., where they were interred. 



THE TRUE FAMILY. 

Jabez True was a resident of Salisbury, Mass. He was a 
grantee of Stevenstown. What relation he bore to the follow- 
ing families is not known. 

1. Ezekiel True, of Salisbury, Mass., (may have been a son of 

Jabez), m. Mary — , and had : 

2. Sarah, b. .Sept. 29, 1746. 3. Jacob, b. March 26, 174S. See. 

4. Lydia, b. Dec. 15, 1750; ni. — Greeley. 5. Martha, b. Feb. 20. 1753. 
6 and 7. Ezekiel and Mary, b. May 16, 1755. 

5. Jabez, b. March 9, 175S. See. 9. John, b. March ir, 1762. 

10. William, b. April 15, 1764; settled in Andoverj his son William m. July i, 
1S17, .\bigail Parker. 11. Paul, b. Sept. 11, 1766; d. Nov. 14, 17S5. 

(3) Jacob ( Deacon ) removed here from Salisbury, Mass., as 
early as 1767. settling on the farm now (1882) occupied 
by Moses S. Morse. He d. — . He served in the Rev- 



8l6 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

olutionary War, and was in Capt. Ebenezer Webster's 
Company at Bennington. Nov. lo, 1764, he purchased 
of Capt. John Webster 80 acres, No. 8, second range, 
paying eighty Spanish milled dollars. He m. April 5, 
1773, Lydia Dow, who d. Oct. 6, 1848, aged 96. 

12. Daniel, b. Dec. 13, 1774. See. 13. Molly, b. Jan. 8, 1786. 

14. Jacob, b. Jan. 10, 1778. See. 

15. Ezekiel, b. Feb. 6, 1780; removed to Corinth, Vt. ; m. — Nutting, raised a 

family, and died there. 

16. Lydia, b. Feb. 29, 1782; m. Dec. 28, 1S19, James Garland. 

17. John, b. April 9, 1789. See. 

(12) Daniel remained on the farm until 1824-5; renioved to 
Michigan ; m. Polly, dau. of Caleb Judkins. 

18. Polly, b. May 29, 1800; removed to Unity. 

19. Lydia, b. July 24, 1802; m. (i) Luther True; m. (2) James Bailey; m. (3) — , 

who d. in 1845; m. (4) Henry Burleigh; d. 1871. 

20. Mehitable J., b. Dec. 10, 1804; m. Nov. 3, 1825, John M. Barker, of Unity. 

21. Emily, b. Aug. 11, 1807; m. Rev. — ; res. Ann Arbor, Mich. (?) 

22. Rhoda, b. May 19, 1810. 23. Asenath, b. Feb. 15, 1814. Both rem. to Mich. 

24. Jacob, b. — ; d. at St. Louis, Mo., 1846 (?). 

(14) Jacob m. Jane, dau. of Shubael Greeley; he d. April 30, 
1816; she m. (2) Oct. 28, 1816, Jonathan Dickerson, of 
New Chester; she d. Sept. 30, 1855. 

25. Polly, b. March 14, 1802 ; m. Sept. 19, 1S21, Benjamin Tucker, of Andover, 

where she d. April 19, 1845. 

26. Luther, b. July 19, 1804 {3) ; m. Sept. 2, 1823 (4) Lydia, dau. of Daniel and 

Polly True; resided on the homestead; d. April 21, 1832. 

27. Moses, b. Aug. 30, 1806 (5); m. (i) 1823, Ursula, dau. of Lt. Benjamin and 

Hannah (Greeley) Pettengill ; who d. at Bunker Hill, 111., Aug. 11, 1842; 
m. (2) Sarah, dau. of Thomas and Molly White (see), who d. Oct. 2, 1845; 
m. (3) April 21, 1846, Nancy Clark, who d. Oct. 11, 1875 ; one son, James 
C, b. Sept. 10, 1S48; res. Kansas; in. (4) April 15, 1876, Betsey M. George 
one child, Mary G., b. Feb. 3, 1877. Deacon Moses removed to Hamp- 
den, Me., in 1823, thence to Bunker Hill, 111. He is a man of much influ- 
ence and Christian worth, a deacon in the Presbyterian Church. 

28. Sally (Sarah), b. Dec. 16, 1808; m. Jan. 29, 1829, Moses Judkins; res. Cal. 

29. Rhoda J., b. Feb. 17, 1810; m. (i) Oct. 18, 1832, Nathaniel D. Huntoon ; m. 

(2) Ephraim Carter; res. Newton, Mass. 

30. John II., b. Aug. 2, 1812 ; rem. west ; d. Aug. 28, 1833, unm. 

31. Minerva, b. Aug. 23, 1814; d. March 20, 1816. 



GENEALOGY AND UIOflKAI'HV 817 

(17) John graduated at Dartmouth College in 1806; received 
the degree of A. B. from his alma mater \ read medi- 
cine with Dr. Peter Green, at Concord, and at Dartmouth 
Medical School ; began practice at Haverhill, Mass. (.?) ; 
thence removed to Tennessee, where he followed his 
profession; d. Aug. 31, 1815. 

(8) Jabez removed here from his native place previous to 1797, 
settling on the land his brother bought, (see) No. 8, 
second range, on the road leading to the Gore ; remained 
some years and removed to the D. S. Scribner place; d. 
in 185 1 (.?); m. (i) — Eaton, of Salisbury, Mass.; m. (2) 
Hannah, widow of Daniel Pierce. Daniel Pierce's chil- 
dren were : 

I. Sarah, m. Ebenezer Dustin; res. and d. at Hopkinton. n. Samuel, m. Abigail 
Davis, of Warner; rem. to Irasburg, Vt., where he d. iir. Isaac, ni. Mary 
Floyd, of Warner; rem. to Norwich, Vt. iv. Robert, m. Sarah Harvey; 
d. in New London, v. Daniel, m. Clara Hardy, of Warner; d. in Hop- 
kinton. VI. William M., b. June 15, 1S06. See. vir. .\bigail, m. Morrill 
Clement, of Hopkinton, and d. there. 

(VI.) William M. remained in Salisbury; enlisted in the 9th N. IT. Kegt. ; d. at 
Falmouth, Va., Nov. 27, 1S61 (.') ; m. June 4, 1825, Lois C, dau. of Noah 
W. and Abigail ( Quimby ) Kenniston, who was b. at Lis.bon, .May 3, and 
d. at Salisbury in 1SS5. 

vui. Melissa B., b. Dec. 2, 1826; m. II. C. W. .Moores. See. i.\. Nancy W., 
b. July 15, 1828; m. P^eb. 7, 1846, Samuel C. Forsaith (see J. C. Smith 
genealogy). By this wife Mr. Forsaith had : i. Frank P., b. June 14, 184S ; 
m. Ceiia Thompson, ii. George B., b. June 28, 1849; m (i) Carrie Dustin ; 
m. (2) Mattie Doyle, iii. William R., b. Jan. 7, 1855; m. Mary Voung. 
All reside in Manchester. X. William R., b. July 3, 1831 ; m. Rhoda 
Hutchinson, of Mi!ford ; he d. at Clinton, Ma.ss., in 1854. xr. Betsey J., 
b. Oct. 9, 1836; m. Warren Fellows (see) ; she d. Sept. 1S78. 
Children by first wife: 

32. Esther, b. Jan. 28, 17S4; m. Joshua Davis, of Warner: rem. to Massachusetts. 

2)j,. Sally, b. March 12, 1785; m. Peter Flanders. 

34. Paul, b. Sept. 25, 1786; d. suddenly Oct. 2, 1875, unm. 

35. Oliver, b. Dec. 6, 1787 ; removed West; m. — ; d. — . 

36. Joseph, b. April 15, 1789; (see account of the tornado) ; settled on the site 

now occupied by True Flanders; removed to Warner Village, from the 
latter place going West; he was a wheelwright by trade, making the old 
linen and spinning wheels, furniture, etc. ; the shop stood across the brook, 
east of the house ; m. (1) Polly Jones, who d. .Xpril 2, 1S24 ; m. (2) — Aley. 

52 



8r8 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

2J. Hannah, b. July 31, 1790 ; m. Moses Thompson, of Newport ; d. at liristol. 

33. Jabez, b. April i, 1792; served in the War of 1S12; d. at Portsmouth? 

39. Abigail, b. Sept. 6, 1793; "^- 1*''' Adams; d. at Warner. 

40. Jane, b. .Sept. 19, 1795; d. young. 41. Aley, b. Aug. 6, i~0j ; removed West. 

42. John, b. July 9, 1799; m. — Fellows ; resided at Jackson, Mich. 

43. Sally, b. — ; m. Oct. 14, 1S13, IJenjamin Cass. 



THE TUCKER FAMILY. 

FOUR BRANCHES. 

John Tucker came from England and settled at Hingham, 
Mass., previous to 1636. Ezra removed to Salisbury previous 
to the Revolutionary War, settling on the eastern shore of a 
pond called in his honor "Tucker's Pond." He was a native 
of Poplin, now Fremont. He was twice married, his family 
consisting of twelve sons and six daughters, all of whom raised 
families, and whose average length of life was seventy years. 
Of this numerous family four settled here, viz. : i. Ebenezer, 
(see) ; 2. Jacob, (see) ; 3. Nathan, (see) ; 4. Bathsheba, m. 
Nathaniel Maloon, (see). 

(i) Ebenezer, b. 1754; settled on the south-east shore of the 
pond. He m. Molly Farnum. He d. in 1825 ; she d. in 
1832, aged 82. They had six boys and five girls. I can 
only give the following : 

5. Ezra, b. at Poplin; m. Hannah IJouley [Burleigh]; settled at Enfield. 

6. Mehitable, m. March 30, 1799, Abner Watkins ; settled at Warner. 

7. James, b. in 1774; m. in 1794, Betsy Farnum, who was b. in 1771 ; she d. at 

Stewartstown in 1861, aged 90; he d. at Lisbon in 1S62. 

8. Lydia, b. Aug. 12, 1776; ni. Ephraim Colby; settled at Ogden, N. Y., where 

she d. in 1S23. 

9. Ephraim, m. Jan. i, 1S07, Nancy Burbank; removed to New York. 

10. Caleb, m. Dec. 26, iSii, Polly Wiley; removed to New York. 

11. Ebenezer, m. Sarah Wiley; settled at Andover. 

12. Phebe, m. April 25, 1820, Ebenezer Dustin, of Ilopkinton ; settled at Henniker. 

13. Polly, m. Calvin Pressey; settled at Canaan. 

14. Benjamin, b. Oct. 12, 1791 ; m. (i) Dec. 25, 1817, Nancy, dau. of Humphrey 

Sargent, of Warner, where she was b. May 7, 1794 ; she d. March 20, 1853 ; 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 819 

m. (2) in 1S57, Betsey Dimond. He resided on the homestead. He d. 
Oct. r4, 1S72. Deacon Tucker was an influential citizen and a christian 
man in every respect. Children : 

15. Leavitt, b. Jan. 27, 1S19; d. Nov. 28, 1846; unm. 

16. Nancy, b. Feb. 19, 1821 ; d. Sept. 27, 1852, unm. 

17. Louisa, b. June 24, 1822; m. April 19, 1S49, James, son of James Wells, of 

Sutton; d. at Tilton, April 24, 1881, aged 63. 
iS and 19. Martha J. and Mary J., b. April 7, 1825; the former d. Nov. 9, 1840; 
the latter m. June 13, 1854, Albe Cady, son of Stephen Sweatt, of Bos- 
cawen, [ Webster ] where he was b. April 24, 1824, and where they resided 
until 1S74, when they removed to Fenacook. 

20. Clara W., 1). July 21, 1S27 ; d. Nov. 6, 1847. 

21. Rhoda S., b. July 11, 1S35; d. Feb. 27, 187 j, unm. 

(2) Jacob, m. (i) Feb. 22, 1781, Sarah Hoyt ; m. (2) Feb. 11, 

1795, Molly Scribner (.') ; and had : (22.) Nathaniel, b. 
July 9, 1782. 

(3) Nathan, b. at Poplin, Oct. 18, 1764; settled on the west 

side of the pond, on the site now occupied by his grand- 
son, Levi VV. (39); m. (i) March 14, 1782, Lydia Ste- 
vens ; m. (2) Mary Welch, of Canaan. Children by first 
wife : 

23. Joseph ( Rev.) b. July i8, 1782; m. Dolly Clough, of Canterbury. He erected 

a set of buildings south-west of the homestead, the roofs of which were 
carried away by the high wind during the cold Friday. He was a Baptist 
minister and permanently located at Tunbridge, Vt. 

24. Hannah, b. Dec. 23, 1783; m. Feb. 23, 1804, Nathaniel Richardson; d. at Ca- 

naan. 

25. Polly, b. Dec. 15, 1785; m. Nov. 26, 1S07, John Preston, of Tunbridge, Vt. ; 

removed to Canaan. 

26. Caleb, b. Nov. 6, 1789; m. Dec. 26, iSii, Dorothy liean ; settled at Wilmot. 

27. Ezra, b. March 22, 1793; m. Judith Burbank, of 15oscawen ; rem. to Grafton. 

and d. — . Among his eleven children was Oliver N., b. at Grafton, Oct. 
3, 1816; remained on the farm during his minority; learned the trade of 
clock repairer with Mr. Durgin, at Andovcr ; m. July 4, 1S42, Betsey G., 
dau. of Ezekiel and Maomi ( Carr ) Robey, who was b. at Boscawen, April 
28, 1822 ; settled in Salisbury, where he continues. I. Sarah J., b. Feb. 7, 
1848, m. Warren Merrill; res. Lowell, Mass. II. Julia A., b. May 13, 
1850; m. Nov. 27, 1870, J. Hatch Culver, of Lake Village; res. Lowell. 
III. James L., b. Dec. 19, 1852; m. in 1S77, Lizzie Thompson, of Wake- 
field. IV. Carrie E., b. Dec. 25, 185S; m. May 22, iSSi, Frank Matthews; 
res. Franklin, v. Edward E., b. May 9, 1S61. 

28. Nathan, b. May 31, 1794- Sec. 



820 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Children by second wife: 

29. Lydia, m. OrenCarr ; she d. in Salisbury. 

30. Eliza, m. Jeremiah Sanborn, of Sutton. 31. I.ucinda, m. I^zra Maloon. See. 

(28) Nathan remained on the homestead ; d. March 24, 1871 ; 
m. (i) Mary Fellows, by whom he had four children, all 
dead ; m. (2) March 18, 1823, Mrs. Sarah Farnum. Chil- 
dren by second wife : 

32. John, b. Nov. 30, 1S23; m. Hannah Sargent; res. Danbury. 

33. Peter B., b. Dec 19, 1827 ; m. Lucinda Morrill ; res. Warner. 

34. Nathan, b. April 16, 1825. See. 

35. Mary, b. Aug. 10, 1828; m. Oct. 22, 1855, Hamilton Gookin. See. 

36. Phebe D., b. May 30, 1830; m. Rev. J. W. Bean (see) ; she d. Oct. 5, 1S60. 

37 and 38. Harrison and — , twins, b. Nov. 23, 1832 ; the former d. April 13, 1S43 '• 
the latter d. April 20, 1833. 

39. Levi W., b. Sept. 13, 1834; m. Ann Sanborn; remains on the farm; three 

children. 

40. Harriet N., b. Aug. 4, 1836; d. April 20, 1855. 

(33) Nathan resided west of Scribner's Corner. He held a 
number of town offices, and d. June 17, 1881 ; m. May 
I7» 1853, Adaline Couch ; she d. Dec. 9, 1879. 

41. Martha J., b. April 7, 1854. 42. Frank, b. Aug. 3, 1S56. 

43. Fred, b. Sept. 28, 1858; m. Nancy J. McAllister. 

44. Clara, b. March 19, i860. 45. Emma, b. Dec. 11, 1863. 
46. Freeman, b. May 3, 1866. 47. Nettie, b. Nov. 30, 1868. 



THE WARDWELL FAMILY. 

I. Jeremiah, b. Dec. 17, 1748; removed to Salisbury from 
Pembroke, in 1804-5, settling on the farm now owned by D. R. 
McAllister, at Smith's Corner ; d. Aug. 9, 1817; m. Nov. 21, 
1769, Mary Lovejoy, who was b. April 29, 1748 ; she d. Feb. 
23, 1813. 

2. Amos, b. Oct. II, 1770; d. April 19, 1817; m. Anna — ; res. and d. at Han- 

over. 

3. Mary, b. Aug. 28, 1772; m. Jonathan Hutchinson ; res. at Merrimack. 

4. Isaac, b. Nov. 29, 1774; m. Mary Cushing; res. at Lebanon, where he d. June 

9, 1848. [An Isaac Wardwell m. July 6, 1806, Judith Bean.] 



GENEALOGY AND lUOGKAPHY 821 

5. Abial, b. Nov. 25, 1777 ; removed here previous to his parents, settling in the 

house opposite Joseph N. Greeley's ; he was a noted singer, and led the 
choir at the Congregational Church, besides teaching large singing classes; 
m. Nov. 8, 1813, Sally Webster; d. Feb. 9, kS6o, without issue. 

6. Phebe, b. April 29, 1780; m. Jeremy Webster. .See. 

7. Sally, b. Feb. 11. 1783; m. — Adams. 

8. John, b. Sept. 14, 1785; m. Clarissa Davis, of Warner; remained on the farm 

for a time, then removed to Laconia. 

9. Joseph, b. July 3, 1788; d. at Itoston, Mass., Feb. 3, 1814; he graduated at 

Dartmouth College in 1813 and became a school teacher. 

10. Jesse, b. Dec. 3, 1790; went to sea and was lost; unm. 

11. Reuben, b. April 23, 1795; built the Josiah Hook house, where he d. April 15, 

1838 ; he was a carriage maker by trade, and made improvements on the 
old style wagons; a man much respected by his townsmen; m. Polly 
( Mary) Webster, who was b. April 23, 1790; she d. Sept. 22, 1S36. 

12. Janett, b. Jan. iS, 181S ; d. Oct. 29, 1S3S, unm. 

13. Harriet, b. Feb. 24, 1S19; d. April i, 1S41. 

14. Charlotte, b. Feb. 21. 1821 ; d. July 12, 1831. 

15. George, b. May 16, 1825; d. — . 16. Abial, b. Feb. 6, 1827; d. Oct. 25, 1S52. 
17. Mary F., b. Dec. 9, 1829; d. Sept. 3, 1837. 

iS. John Webster, b. June i, 1832; he has been for many years connected with 
the Concord Railroad. 



THE WATSON FAMILY. 

We are able, authentically, to trace the Watsons of this town 
back to Nicodemus (5), a register of whose family may be 
found on the Hampstead records. From the traditional his- 
tory of the family descendants, the accuracy of which is not 
certain, we have prior to Nicodemus: 

I. Parmenus Watson, b. 1700, ( .' ) who was the paternal 
ancestor of our families ; m. Mary Flanders, and had : 

2. Obadiah. 3. Pelatiah. 

4. Parmenus, who settled in that part of Warner called "Joppa." He was one of 

the first deacons of the Congregational Church, and filled various town 
oftices. 

5. Nicodemus. See. 6. Caleb. 7. John. No daughters. 



822 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(5) Nicodemus resided at Hampstead ; m. Elizabeth Harri- 
man, and had : 

8. Daniel, b. 1755 ; lived in that part of Warner called "Joppa." 

9. Abijah, b. 1759. See. 10. Caleb. See. 11. Ithamar, b. 1853; no daughters. 

(9) Abijah ( Elder) remained here with his younger brother 
Caleb ; settled and cleared up the farm now occupied by 
J. S. Clough, where he d. Dec. i, 1828. He was a 
preacher and farmer. He m. Sarah Ouimby, who d. 
Jan. 25, 1830. Children all born here: 

12. Daniel, b. Oct. 23, 1787. See. 

13. Joseph, b. Feb. 29, 1784; m. Sept. 3, 1805, Polly Sargent, of Warner. Rev. 

Mr. Watson preached in Bradford and vicinity for some years; rem. to 
Winchendon, Mass., where he continued his ministerial labors; d. — . 

14. Nicodemus, b. Jan. 15, 1786; m. Prudence Morrill, of Warner, where he d. 

Sept. 10, 1844. 

15. Betsy, b. Feb. 11, 178S; m. in 1S35, Zebulon Sargent; d. without issue, at 

Orange, Feb. — , i860. 

16. Abijah, b. Feb. 21, 1760; m. Sally Sargent; d. in 1876. 

17. Lucy, b. July 6, 1762 ; m. in May, 1810, Abel Buzzell ; d. Jan. 7, 1815. He d. 

April 3, 1812, leaving one daughter, who m. in 1829, Currier Quimby, who 
lived in the Watson District and had six children, Jessie, Mary and John 
cow living. 

18. Sally, b. June 28, 1795; '■"• Samuel B. Peasley; rem. to Winchendon, Mass.; 

d. 1871. 

19. Polly, b. Oct. 21, 1797 ; m. Dec. 31, 181S, Israel Dow, Jr. ; he d. Aug. 11, 1858; 

she resides in Warner. 

20. David, m. (i) in 1S24, Levina Pattee ; m. (2) Dec. 20, 1S55, Mrs. Mary C. 

Gould; he d. Dec. 27, 1870. 

21. Jonathan, b. March 13, iSoo; m. Nov. 28, 1822, Achsah Wheeler; resides in 

Warner. 

22. Nancy, b. April 2, 1804; m. in 1826, Clark Sargent; d. in 1842. 

(12) Daniel remained on the homestead ; d. in 1853 ; m. Dec. 
12, 1804, Sarah Palmer, of Salisbury {?), where she was 
b. Dec. 18, 1732 ; she d. Oct. 7, 1856. 

23. Abijah, b. July 31, 1805; d. at Cincinnati, Oct. 4, 1870; m. (i) in June, 1832, 

Lavina Watkins, of Warner; m. (2) in 1833, Phebe Sargent, of Windsor, 
Vt. 

24. Mirriam F., b. Dec. 26, i8c8; m. in Dec. 1832, Benjamin Wells, of Sutton; d. 

in Minn., Nov. 28, 1873. 

25. Lucy B., b. April 6, 1816; m. Sept. 26, 1841, Obadiah Glines; resides in 

Northfield. 



GENEALOGY AND JJIOGKAI'IIV 823 

26. Nicodemus. See. z-j . Prudence, b. July 13, iSiS; d. Nov. 5, 1S22. 

28. Abel B., b. Feb. 9, iSi t ; d. April 27, 1829. 

{26) Nicodemus remained on the farm until after the birth 
of children; rem. to Boscawen ; d. Nov. 4, 1875; m. 
April 3, 1843, Eliza VVilkins ; res. Carlisle, Mass. 

29. .Sarah A., b. .\pril 5, 1S45; 111. March 14, 1863, yoliii I'. Watson; res. North- 

field. 

30. ^[ary P., b. Feb. 15, 1S49; m. in 1.S69, Edward Atkinson. 

31. George .S., b. Oct. 1 1, 1S51 ; m. Dec. 1 1, rSjj, Lorena M. Stilling.s, of Canter- 

bury. 

^10) Caleb, b. at Hampstead, Dec. 6, 1760; m. Dec. i, 1781, 
Lydia, dau. of Thomas Hovvlet i she was b. at Hillsbor- 
ough, Mass., Nov. 23, 1761 ; she d. March 20, 1842 ; re- 
moved to Weare with his father just prior to the revolu- 
tion. Mr. Watson bought wild land and built a log house, 
into which he moved his family, in 1788. After years of 
trial and hardship incident to a pioneer life, he cleared 
a valuable farm, and erected frame buildings, in which 
he d., in affluent circumstances, April 28, 1832. He was 
among the first to espouse the doctrines of the Free 
Will Baptist Church, under its founder. Rev. Benjamin 
Randall, and was for many years a deacon of that church. 
Few have lived more exemplary lives than this couple, 
who lived to see their large family of children honored 
members of society. Mr. Watson served in the Revolu- 
tionary War, from Weare, in Capt. Randall's company, 
assigned to the defence of the western frontier, under 
the command of Major Whitcomb. This company was 
for a time stationed at a fort in Corinth, Vt. ; the site of 
which was a few years since well defined by a circular 
mound with a depression in the center. While stationed 
here, a messenger came with the news that the Tories 
and Indians were burning Royalton and butchering the 
inhabitants. Capt. Randall immediately started to inter- 
cept the fiends, but was too late and the pursuit was 
abandoned. On their return to the fort, Watson and 



824 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

fourteen others were detailed to visit another fort. Get- 
ting lost in the woods, they came near perishing with 
hunger ; twelve of their number laid down expecting 
never to rise. The other three continued on and dis- 
covered srnoke among the trees, which guided them to 
the house of a man named Clemmens ; his wife provided 
for their immediate wants, and the husband, with a 
knapsack of provision and a bottle of rum, started for 
and brought in the remaining twelve. After they were 
sufficiently recruited, he conducted them to their desti- 
nation. Though a farmer by profession, he was a natural 
mechanic, and made most of the articles used by farm- 
ers, cart-wheels, ox-yokes, barrels, boots and shoes, etc. 

32. Thomas, b. May 10, 1782 ; m. Rebecca Davis, of Shapleigh, Me., where he was 

in mercantile pursuits for a number of years; rem. to Thorndike, Me., and 
d. Jan. 12, 1863. 

33. Ithamar. See. 34. Calel), b. in Weare, Feb. 3, 1787. See. 

Children born in Salisbury : 

35. Safford, b. Dec. 29, 1791 ; m. Sept. 25, 1S17, Abigail Currier, who was b. at 

Deerfield, Oct. 27, 1792 ; they had five children. They lived to celebrate 
their golden wedding and the following morning led a large party to the 
top of Kearsarge. He d. at Sutton, July 13, 1S72. 

36. Lydia, b. April 23, 1789; m. in Jan., 1822, John Clement, Jr., of Warner; d. 

there Jan. 17, 1854; they had two children, John W. and Rachel C. 

37. Moses H., b. July 23, 1794. See. 

38. Mark K., a jeweler; d. in New Jersey, unm. 

39. Hannah, ni John True ; d. in Michigan. 40. Alice, ni. Richard Fellows; (111.) 

(SiS) Ithamar b. in Weare, Sept. 7, 1784 ; m. Dec. 25, 1807, Dolly, 
dau. of Stephen Thurston, then a resident of Salisbury, 
b. at Newburyport, Mass., ; d. Nov. 2, 1853, aged 71. Mr. 
Watson was a school teacher, a farmer and mechanic, 
making wool-carding machines, and built and put in 
successful operation the second machine of this kind 
ever operated in Vermont. Later in life he made spin- 
ning jennies and looms for factories, and could make 
from wood, iron, steel or brass anything he required, and 
nothino- left his hands until it showed the finish of a 



GENEALOGY ANH BIOGRAPHY 825 

master workman. During the last war with England he 
was Captain of a company of minute-men, and for some 
years was Captain of the Blackwater militia company, 
his fine physique and military bearing well fitting him 
for a commander. In 1820 he removed to Orford and in 
February, 1821, to Corinth, Vt., remaining there seven 
years ; removed to Warner, exxhanged farms with his 
son-in-law, returning to Salisbury, Nov. 2, 1855. She 
d. June 6, 1859. l^oth were members of the Baptist 
Church. For a number of years he was a Master Mason, 
and was District Deputy Grand Lecturer. He was 
noted for his honesty and integrity. 

41. Henry L., b. in Salisbury, Fei). lo, iSii. .See. 

42. Melinda C, b. in Salisbury, June S, 1816; ni. Jan. 1, 1S3S, 'Penny Hardy; he 

d. Feb. 23, 1873; resided at Littleton. 

43. Joseph W., b. in Corinth, Vt., June to, 1823; d. young. 

44. Porter P., b. in Corinth, Vt , July 13, 1S25. See. 

i^y) Moses H. resided on the old homestead ; d. Nov. 23, 
1858; m. April 28, 18 13, Lydia F'ellows, who was b. 
July 6, 1794, and at the present time (1890) enjoys good 
health and possesses a most retentive memory. 

45. Albert F., b. .May 17, 1S20. See. 

46. Mary M., b. Jan. 25, 1S23; d. July 30, 1865, nnm. 

(34) Caleb settled in Warner, conducting the carriage-making 
business ; was a skillful mechanic ; removed to Salis- 
bury in 1820, settling on the homestead; d. April 12, 
i860; m. Nov. 24, 1814, Rachel, dau. of John Couch; 
she. d. July 9, 1863. 

47. Harriet B., b. Oct. 4, 181 5 ; ni. Deacon James Morrill, of Warner; d — . 

48. Sophrona K., b. March 27, 181S; d. July 31, 1S55, unm. 

49. Ithamar H., b. March 19, 1S20; m. Sarah J. Page; resided in Manchester; 

d. — . 

50. Louisa J., 1). July 31, 1825; ni. John C Ela ; res. in Warner. 

51. John C, b. May 13, 1S2S; m. Hannah A. Morrill; res. in Warner. 

52. Lucinda H., b. Dec. 26, 1830; m. Samuel J Mvrick : tl. .it M.inchester. 

53. Livonia, b. July 5, 1833; d. young. 



826 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(41) Henry Lyman, M. D., obtained his academic education 
at Salisbury and Phillips Academies, teaching winters. 
He read medicine with Hon. Leonard Eaton, M. D., at 
Warner, graduating from the Vermont Medical School 
in 1848, since which time he has followed his chosen 
profession, one and a-half years at Stewartstown, twenty 
years at Guildhall, Vt., and the last fourteen years at 
Littleton, owning a drug store in the latter place for 
some five years. In 1859 he was made a Mason in 
North Star Lodge, of Lancaster; in 1861 he was a 
charter member of Pulaski Lodge, of Newbury, Vt., was 
its first Secretary, and was Marshal of the same at the 
time of his removal to Littleton, where he is a member 
of Burns Lodge. Dr. Watson, from his youth up, has 
been a strict temperance man, both by profession and 
practice, believing that a physician, of all men, should be 
strictly moral and free from all pernicious habits.- In 
March, 1832, his first vote was given in Salisbury, he 
voting, with his father, grandfather and two uncles, the 
Democratic ticket. In 1852, he was elected to the Ver- 
mont State Senate, and was re-elected in 1853. In 
1866-7, he represented Guildhall in the Legislature, and 
he was postmaster at that place during the administra- 
tion of President Polk. After his removal to Littleton 
he was postmaster for a time, and has creditably filled 
numerous positions of honor and trust, both public and 
private. He m. (i) June 4, 1840, Roxana, dau. of Jesse 
Hughes ; b. at Maidstone, Jan. 19, 1816 ; d. Dec. 7, 1850; 
m. (2) Jan. i, 1852, Mary J., dau. of Thaddeus Hardy, of 
Warner ; she d. in August, 1884. Children by first wife : 
I. Henry Porter, b. at Guildhall, Vt., June, 8, 1844; is a 
physician at Haverhill, N. H. 11 and iii. Mary Hughes 
and Ellen Melinda, b. Dec. 18, 1847; ^^^ former d. Apr. 
22, 1849; t^G latter m. F. S. Leach; res. Littleton. 

{44) Porter Baldwin was educated at the Salisbury Academy. 
He was selectman 1858-60, representative 1862-3, and 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 82/ 

was justice of the peace while a resident here. In 1864 
removed to Newbury, Vt., where he remained till 1869, 
removing to Littleton. In 1873 he engaged in the glove 
leather manufacture and in 1880 entered into partner- 
ship with the Eureka Glove Company, at Littleton. He 
m. Oct. 17, 1848, Luvia E., dau. of P. P. Ladd, of Lunen- 
burgh, Vt. In 1883 he was elected treasurer of Grafton 
county, and in 1889 selectman and overseer of the poor. 
Children : 

54. Irving Allison, b. Sept. 6, 1849; read medicine with Drs. 

H. L. Watson, A. B. Crosby, and Prof. Howard of New 
York ; graduated from the Medical Department of the 
University of Vermont, June 18, 1871 ; practised in 
Northumberland from June, 1871, to Oct., 1881. He 
represented the town in the Legislature, 1879-81. By 
an act of the Legislature of 1881, a State Board of 
Health was created and Dr. Watson was appointed on 
the board and elected permanent secretary, with office 
at the State House, Concord, where he now resides. In 
1883 he was elected secretary of the American Public 
Health Association ; was re-elected in 1886 and again in 
1889, each election being for a term of three years. In 
1S83 he was by legislative act made registrar of vital 
statistics for the state. In 1884 he was commissioned 
surgeon of the 3d regiment, with the rank of major, and 
in 1889 promoted to medical director of the N. H. N. G. 
witn the rank of Lieut. Col. In 1S85 Dartmouth Col- 
lege conferred upon him the degree of A. M. He m. 
April 17, 1872, Lena A. Earr, of Littleton. He has one 
child, Bertha M., b. Feb. 2, 1880. 

55. Idella, 1). May 14, 1S51 ; ni. Jan. i, 1.S74, Otis ( ). Streetcr, of Littleton; has 

one child, Ina, b. — . 

56. Walter W., b. Feb. 9, 1S53; m. Sept. 12, 1S77, Ada Hatch, of Littleton. 

57. Fred, b. Feb. 26, 1S55; d. Nov. 3, 1858. 

58. Alice >L, b. Feb. 17, 1S5.S ; m. Jan. I, 1884, William F. Andrus. 

59. Fred A., h. Aug. 23, i860; m. June 15, 18S3, Ella J. Idc. 

60. Angie 1$., b. Nov. 17, 1S62. 



828 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

6i. IMinnie C, b. Feb. 28, iS66; m. Nov. 4, 1885, S. E. Richardson ; d. — 1887. 

62. Albert L., b. April 21. 1874. 

(45) Albert F. remained on the homestead; m. Jan. 22, 1844, 
Lydia Nichols, who was b. at Hampton, Oct. 7, 1820; 
he d. Jan. 15, 1886. 

63. Frank A., b. April 11, 1S45 ' ^- '" ^^77' Dora A. Elkins, d. in 1S78. 

64. Charles E., b. Aug. 11, 1851 ; m. (i) Feb. 5, 1871, Nettie True, who d. Oct. 3, 

1875; "1- (-) Sept. 18, 187 — , Lavina A., dau. of B. F. Sanborn. One 
daughter, Laura F., b. in July, 1873; d. young. 

65. Martha A., b. Jan. i, 1855; m. in Nov. 1875, Worthy W. Woodbury; res. in 

iJloomington, 111. 



THE WEBSTER FAMILY. 

FOUR BRANCHES. 

The common ancestor of the Webster family in New Eng- 
land is in doubt, some historians claiming John Webster, who 
came from Ormsby, England, settled at Ipswich, New Eng- 
land, and admitted freedman of Massachusetts in 1635, as the 
first ancestor. At the present time, Thomas Webster is 
thought to be the ancestor of the Salisbury families. He died 
at Ormsby, England, April, 1634, leaving a widow Margarie 
(who m. Deacon William Godfrey) and one son Thomas, (2) 
who settled at Ipsich and admitted freedman in 1674 or 
1635 ; it is said he emigrated from Essex, county of Suffolk, 
England m. Nov. 2, 1757 (1756) Sarah Brewer; removed to 
Hampton, N. H., where he d. Jan. 5, 171 5, aged 83, leaving 
entre alias Ebenezer, (3) b. at Hampton, Aug. i, 1667; m. July 
25, 1709, Hannah Judkins. He was one of the grantees of 
Kingston, to which place he removed in 1700. He was pilot in 
Capt. John Oilman's company, Aug. 16, 1710, which went in 
pursuit of the Indians. He was a valiant soldier in the Indian 
wars and d. at Kingston, Feb. 21, 1756. Among his descend- 
ants we find Ebenezer (4) b. at' Kingston, Oct. 10, 17 14; m. 
July 20, 1738, Susan Bachiler, a descendant of Rev. Stephen 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 829 

Bachiler, the first settled minister in the state located at 
Hampton. She was a woman of remarkable strength of char- 
acter, robust in form, with black hair, a piercing black eye and ' 
of dark complexion. Of this Ebenezer, (4) Rev. Elias ^^ason J 1 
said ( N. E. Genealogical Register, vol. 6, p. i. ) : " He lived in a 
small house the cellar of which may still be seen on the left 
side of the road leading from East Kingston depot to Kings- 
ton. He was poor, versatile and witty, obtaining a scanty 
livelihood by hatcheling fia.x, cutting cord wood, shearing 
sheep, etc. His wife was a woman of marked ability." The 
Websters were Scotch, emigrating to England quite early. 
They were light complexioned, blue eyed, and had small hands, 
exceptions being found in Ebenezer and his son Daniel, both 
of whom very markedly took after the maternal side. Eben- 
ezer (3) had eight children, viz.: Ebenezer (4) b. Oct. 10, 1714; 
William, b. Aug. 26, 1716; John, b. Aug. 4, 1719; Joseph and 
Mary b. Sept. 15, 1724; Iddo, b. Feb. 16, 1727, and two others, 
girls. 

Ebenezer, the fifth descendant from the ancestor Thomas, b. 
at East Kingston, April 22, 1739; (O. S. ) m. Jan, 18, 1761, 
Mehitable Smith, b. at Kingston ; d. in Salisbury, March 28, 
1774; m. (2) Oct. 13, 1774, Abigail Eastman, b. at Salisbury, 
Mass., July 10, 1737 ;d. April 14, 1816, aged 'j'i. Her father 
was Thomas, son of Samuel, who m. in 1686 (84) Elizabeth 
Severance. He was one of the grantees of Kingston ; his 
father was the ancestor, Easman, (Eastman) b. at Wales, 
England, in i6[i and came to this country in 1638 and settled 
at Salisbury, Mass., in 1640; d. Dec. 10, 1694. She was a 
woman of clear, vigorous understanding, of more than ordinary 
common sense and enjoyed nothing more than a debate on any 
subject ; a woman of high spirit, proud of her children and 
ambitious for their future distinction. 

On the authority of Mrs. Benjamin Shaw, (Ann Fellows) 
whose father, Ananiah, was a childhood playmate of I'3benezer 
Webster, I have the following: "His father not being in very 
prosperous circumstances, Ebenezer was bound out to a trade 



830 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

to a man named Brown, who proved to be a close-fisted, tyran- 
nical master, and when Ebenezer was fourteen years of age he 
ran away and went to live in the family of Col. Ebenezer Ste- 
vens," whose name vas the first on the list of grantees of the 
present town of Salisbury, and in whose honor the town was 
named (Stevenstown). Col. Stevens owning much land here, 
persuaded young Webster to locate here, which he did on 
reaching his majority, (1760.) After his marriage in 1761 he 
took up his permanent residence here, settling on Punch brook, 
and building a log house on the west side of the road, facing 
on what is called the North Road. Just north of the bridge 
crossing the brook and in close proximity to a beaver meadow 
the cellar hole is still (1890) to be seen just south of a small 
apple tree close to the stone wall, and south of what is known 
as the "birth-place." A spring just west of the house fur- 
nished water noted for its purity, and the orchard set out by 
him still flourishes. The farm originally contained 225 acres. 
When he settled here his house was the most northern on the 
route to Canada. In this log house the family resided seven 
years, when he built the house of which the accompanying 
picture is taken from the only true cut in existence. This 
house was said to be the first frame house in town. 

The house faced the south and stood just south east of the 
present two-story commodious dwelling. In the west front 
room (still standing) Daniel and Ezekiel were born. The 
west half of this old house is still standing, it being the ell of 
the house known as the birthplace, the apartment being 19 
feet square and seven feet post. The farm is owned by Hon. 
George W. Nesmith. The present buildings were erected by 
Stephen Sawyer near the close of the last century. He cut 
the old house in two and moved the west half to its present 
location ; the east half was moved back and converted into a 
hog pen. There were two rooms to the main house, while at 
the back was a long, low kitchen. The present well was dug 
by Mr. Webster, who also set out the large elm tree, (now gird- 
ing 21 feet) and all the old fruit trees about the place. He 



GENEALOGY AND HIOGKAPHV 83 1 

remained in this house until 1785-86, when he removed to 
what is known as the lower village, now Franklin, building a 
large two-story tavern stand with a two-stor}' ell, extending 
north in what is now George H. Matthcvvs's garden. July 1 1, 
1780, he purchased 60 acres, and one-half of a i co-acre lot of 
land of Sarah Call, daughter of Stephen Call, the first settler, 
for the sum of /li6$ at the rate of three shillings per bushel of 
Indian corn. On part of this land he built the tavern stand. 
Here he remained till 1799, when he exchanged his tavern 
with William Haddock for the house where he died, (1806) the 
middle house connected with the Orphans' Home. His two 
eldest children were buried near the log house and his first 
wife was buried on Searle's Hill; his second wife and many of 
his children were buried east of his last home, in the original 
graveyard belonging to Elm's farm. 

The first saw and grist mill were located just east of his 
home on Punch brook. On the e.vpiration of the proprietor's 
lease, Mr. Webster purchased and managed the mill, and in 
addition had a large cider mill southeast of his house. Mr. 
Webster held his first public office in 1764, being chosen high- 
way surveyor. At the first town meeting in 1768 he was 
chosen moderator, which office he held forty-three times after- 
wards, the last being in March, 1803. In 1769 he was chosen 
selectman, holding the office nine years, although in Septem- 
ber, 1776, he resigned and performed six months' service in 
the army ; enlisting a company, he marched to New York and 
participated in the battle of White Plains. He started for 
Bunker Hill but did not arrive until the morning after the 
battle. As chairman of the board of selectmen in 1776, he 
carried around the Association Test Act for the male residents 
of the town to sign their loyalty to this then young province. 
In 1778-80 he was chosen representative of the classed towns 
of Salisbury and Boscawen. He was representative from Salis- 
bury in 1790-91, and senator for the years 178 5-86-87- 8S-89. 
Mr. Webster was in the court house at Exeter in 1786 when 
the trouble arose over the currency question and the mob 



832 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

threatened to clear the court house, and was called out to aid in 
quieting the people. Without creating any excitement he 
stepped to the platform and his whole speech was: "I com- 
mand you to disperse," which had the desired effect. 

In March, 1778, the town chose a committee, consisting of 
Ebenezer Webster and Capt. Matthew Pettingill as delegates 
to a convention to be holden at Exeter on June 10 following, 
"for the sole purpose of forming a permanent plan of govern- 
ment for the future well being of the good people of the 
United Colonies." July 16, 1788, Salisbury again sent Mr. 
Webster as delegate to the convention at Exeter, "for the pur- 
pose of considering the proposed constitution," and a town 
committee "chosen to talk the matter up and instruct Col. 
Webster how to vote upon their decision." Like most of these 
northern towns they told him to vote against it. Mr. Web- 
ster was privately in favor of the new constitution and at the 
first meeting held, opposed it by silence. Public feeling was very 
strong at Exeter in opposition to the constitution ; the friends 
of the measure found if the meeting for its adoption was held 
there they would meet with defeat, and they adjourned to 
meet at Concord in June, 1788. Mr. Webster came home and 
talked strongly for its adoption, of the many benefits to be 
derived from its provisions, and finally asked the privilege of 
supporting the proposed constitution, and the answer was, that 
he might do as he thought proper. When the vote was about to 
be taken Mr. Webster arose and said: "Mr. President, I hav^e 
listened to the arguments for and against the constitution ; I 
am convinced such a government as that constitution will 
establish, if adopted — a government acting directly on the 
people of the states — is necessary for the common defence 
and the general welfare. It is the only government which will 
enable us to pay off the national debt — the debt which we 
owe for the Revolution and which we are bound in honor to 
fully and fairly discharge. Besides, I have followed the lead of 
Washington through seven years of war and I have never been 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 833 

misled. His name is subscribed to this constitution ; he will 
not mislead us now; I shall vote for its adoption." 

In addition to the above glorious record he was one of the 
electors for president when Washington was elected. In the 
spring of 1791 he was chosen judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas, for the county of Hillsborough, holding the office 
through life. In matters pertaining to the church Judge Web- 
ster exercised great influence, uniting with the church under 
the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Searles, and was chosen deacon 
April 5, 1793, but declined serving. His wife was a member 
of the church, as were most of his children. When but eight- 
een years of age he served in the Indian war, and in the 
campaign of 1758 he went as a private in Capt. Timothy Ladd's 
company, also as a sergeant in Capt. Philip Johnson's company 
in Goff's regiment, against Crown Point, in 1760. In the Rev- 
olutionary war he was captain of the first company, composed 
of 66 men, 42 of whom were from Salisbury, in Col. Stickney's 
regiment and Gen. Stark's brigade, participating at l-?enning- 
ton and in other hard fought battles, which weakened Burgoyne 
and finally forced him to surrender. In August, 1778, Capt. 
Webster, in obedience to a request from the Committee of 
Safety, raised a company in this vicinity which he com- 
manded ; it was the third company in Col. Nichols's regiment 
of Whipple's brigade, serving in the Rhode Island campaign. 
In 1780 we find him captain of the fourth company in Col. 
Nichols's regiment, raised for the defense of West Point. In 
1782, he commanded a company of Rangers, raised for the j^ro- 
tection of our western frontiers. In 1784 he was appointed 
colonel, and this office gave him authority over all able-bodied 
men between the ages of si.xteen and fifty in Salisbury. One 
of Capt. Webster's soldiers, (Stephen Bohannon) who was 
with him at the time of Gen. Washington's discovery 
of the treason of Arnold, related the following to 
Judge J. W. Nesmith : Capt. Webster was called to Gen. 
Washington's tent and commanded to guard it during that 
night, and he remarked, "I believe I can trust you." His 
53 



834 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

nephew, Maj. Stephen Bohannon, said that Washington did 
not sleep at all that night, but spent the time either in writing 
or walking in his tent. As an officer he was beloved by his 
soldiers and set the good example of always being in front of 
his men and in the thickest of the battle. He was born to 
command; of cool, steady nerve, and possessing sound judg- 
ment. In statue six feet tall, erect, stately, and of splendid 
physique, with a voice of great compass and clearness, making 
himself heard all along the line and in the thickest of the 
battle. Eyes black and piercing, a countenance open, frank 
and generous, and a complexion which "could not be soiled by 
powder." It has been stated that Capt. Webster could not 
read or write ; as a boy he received a very limited education, 
but some of his correspondence in possession of the compiler 
dispels all such stories. Col. Stevens compelled Mr. Brown 
to give him a yoke of oxen which he drove to the new settle- 
ment ; these were undoubtedly the first oxen owned in the 
town. Capt. Webster was a self-educated man, gaining a 
knowledge which many of the men of the present day would be 
proud of. Many of his letters are still in existence, written in 
a clear, bold hand, well punctuated and spelled, and showing 
him to be a fair grammarian. The secret of Mr. Webster's 
success and influence, outside of his commanding figure, was 
his energy, perseverance and war record. Removing to this 
town, then a wilderness, planting his house upon the outskirts 
of civilization, he built up a reputation for honesty, fearlessness 
and integrity such as few men at that date possessed. 

2. Olive, b. Jan. 28, 1762; d. young. 3. Ebenezer, b. July 16, 1764; d. young. 
4. Susannah, b. Oct. 25, 1766; m. John Colby of Andover, where she d. March 23, 

1S04. 
r. David, b. May 5, 1769; a farmer by occupation ; m. and reared a large family; 

d. at Stanstead, Canada. 

6. Joseph, b. March 25, 1772; d. Jan. 20, iSio. 

Children by second wife : 

7. Mehitable, b. Sept. 21, 1775; d. July 14, 1S14; a school teacher. 

8. Abigail, b. Feb. 8, 177S; d. Dec. 13, 1805; m. William Hadduck. 

9. Ezekiel, b. March 11, 1780. See. 10. Daniel, b. Jan. 18, 17S2. See. 

II. Sarah, b. May 13, 17S4; m. Aug. 21, 1808, her cousin Ebenezer Webster; she 
d. March 19, 181 1 ; he d. June 31, 1S61. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 835 

•(9) Hon. Ezekiel Webster spent the first nineteen years of 
his life upon the farm, and in obtaining a common 
school education. He was finely proportioned, six feet 
tall, possessing a commanding figure, while his complex- 
ion was just the opposite of his brother Daniel, who 
said of him: "He appeared to me the finest human 
that I ever laid eyes upon." Between them there 
existed general unity of opinion, sentiment and affec- 
tion ; they were never known to disagree, and they 
loved each other with intensity and consistency. When 
Daniel had decided that Ezekiel should go to college, 
the latter spent two terms at the Salisbury Academy 
acquiring the rudiments of Greek and Latin, and after- 
wards with Rev. Dr. Woods at Boscawen, where he 
fitted for college in nine months, entering Dartmouth 
College in the spring of 1801; from this institution he 
graduated in 1S04, having spent but three years in col- 
lege. In the classics he had no superior. In the spring 
of his senior year, for the want of funds, he taught a 
private school in Boston. While teaching he read law 
with Gen. Sullivan, then Att'y-Gen. of Massachusetts. 
In 1806 he returned home, continuing his studies with 
Parker Noyes, Esq., from whose ofifice he entered the pro- 
fession in September, 1807; settled at Boscawen, where 
he continued. His legal knowledge and moral worth 
soon became known and acquired for him an extensive 
business. As a lawyer he had few equals ; he was a 
wise counsellor and an able advocate. In debate he 
was dignified and courteous ; his weapons were strong 
arguments, clothed in simple but elegant language. Mr. 
Webster was in the court house at Concord, standing 
erect on a plain fioor, the house full, the court, jurors 
and audience listening attentively to his words, and all 
eyes were upon him ; speaking with full force and utter- 
ance, he arrived at the end of one branch of his argu- 
ment, uttered the last sentence and the last word of that 



836 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

sentence, with perfect tone and emphasis, and then in an 
instant, erect and with his arms dependant by his side, 
he fell backwards without bending a joint, and so far as 
appeared was dead before his head reached the floor, 
April 10, 1829. Politically, he was a Federalist, often 
representing his adopted town in the legislature. He 
was a constant attendant at the Congregational church 
at Boscawen and a trustee of Dartmouth College from 
1819 until his death. Mr. Webster delivered a famous 
Fourth of July oration at South Road in 1808, and one 
in 1825. Ichabod Bartlett also delivered one at Centre 
Road in 1808. He m. (i) Jan. 15, 1809, Alice Bridge, of 
Billerica, Mass.; she d. 1821 ; m. (2) Aug. 2, 1825, Ach- 
sah Ballard, b. at Nashua, res. at Concord. 

12. Alice, b. — ; m. June i, 1836, Prof. Jarvis Gregg, the first preceptor of Bos- 

cawen Academy, from 1828 to 1830; he d. at Western Reserve College, 
Ohio; m. (2) Rev. George Whipple of Oberlin, Ohio; she d. Nov. 6, 1876. 

13. Mary, b. — ; m. Dec. 11, 1837, Prof. Edwin D. Sanborn, LL. D., of Dartmouth 

College; she d. Dec. 30, 1S64. 

(10) Hon. Daniel Webster, LL.D. So many volumes have 
been printed, and orations and memoirs delivered on 
this, "the greatest defender of the constitution the 
world has ever produced," that probably nothing new 
can be obtained, and I give a few historical facts, leav- 
ing the enquiring reader to peruse the above works. 
There is no state in the Union that did not hold centen- 
nial celebrations to commemorate his birth, and we trust 
that they will be collected and printed in a book dedi- 
cated to that subject. As a child Daniel was weak, and 
it was thought by his parents that he would never be 
able to perform hard, manual labor, and they would give 
him such an education as would fit him to get his living 
by teaching and literary pursuits. A half brother of his 
once said, "Dan was sent to school that he might get as 
much knowledge as the other boys." His mother 




^^2^c^S^ ^*^a^^^^:L. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 8^7 

taught him to read, and, as he said, "he could not re- 
member the time when he could not read." His 
first instructor was Master Robert Hoag and his second 
James Tappan, both of Salisbury. Later in life he 
taught school at Shaw's Corner, in the school house 
standing just south of Thomas Bruce's, at North Road, 
and at the Lower Village, (see Merrill genealogy.) The 
first time he ever saw the constitution of the United 
States he read it on a cotton pocket handkerchief which 
he purchased of William Hoyt, who kept the store close 
by, paying every cent of money he possessed, viz.: 
twenty-five cents. He possessed a most powerful, reten. 
tive memory, and during the last years of his life he was 
able to recite long narratives, which he learned when a 
boy. When fourteen years of age he spent si.x months 
at Phillips Academy, E.xeter, (entering in May, 1796,) 
under the instruction of Dr. Benjamin Abbot. He mas- 
tered the principles and philosophy of English grammar 
in less than four months, and commenced the study of 
Latin. It was at this Academy that he met with such 
a failure in trying to speak on the public stage. In his 
fifteenth year, and just after his return from Exeter, 
(Feb., 1797,) he taught a short term of school at the 
Lower Village, and then he went to Dr. Woods at Bos- 
cawen. It was while under Dr. Woods's tuition that he 
learned his long lesson in Virgil, and while his father 
was taking him from the "Elms" farm to Dr. Woods up 
the long hill, that he unfolded to Dan the idea of send- 
ing him to college, which he entered in 1798, graduating 
from Dartmouth in 1801, with high honors. It was uni- 
versally believed that he ought to have received the 
valedictory, being the highest scholar in the class, but 
influence then, as now, made a great difference, and he 
was given an inferior part. On his return he deter- 
mined I-lzekiel should attend college, and to help out the 
treasury, he went to Eryeburg, Me. Returning to his 



838 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

home in September, 1802, he began the study of law 
in the office of Thomas W. Thompson, and continued 
there until 1804; o^ July 20th of the same year Daniel 
went to Boston and introduced himself to Mr. Christo- 
pher Gore, who heard his maiden speech, and told him 
to hang up his hat, and here he remained until the fol- 
lowing March when he was admitted to the lower bar of 
the court of common pleas in Boston, and immediately 
(March, 1805,) removed to Boscawen, where he opened 
an office, and continued there until September, 1807, 
when he turned over his business to his brother Ezekiel 
and removed to Portsmouth. In the year of 1807, he 
was admitted to the Superior Court of New Hampshire. 
In 1820 he was elected a member of the Massachusetts 
constitutional convention, to hold office until his death, 
which occurred in 1852. He was a candidate for nomi- 
nation for the presidency of the Whig party at each 
presidential election after its formation, but never 
received the nomination, mainly on account of his sup- 
posed want of popularity. The disappointment he felt 
no doubt hastened his death. His public life may be thus 
summarized : " He was a representative in congress eight 
years, a senator in congress nineteen years, a member 
of the Massachusetts constitutional convention live 
years, and in the president's cabinet as secretary of state. 
During most of this time his party was in the minority. 
In the spring of 1839 he traveled extensively in Eng- 
land, Scotland and France ; was chosen president of the 
Phi Beta Kappa Alpha society in 1821, and Dartmouth 
College conferred upon him the degree of LL.D. While 
in college he delivered two or three addresses, which 
were published, as were some poems. He also paid his 
board one year in college by editing the Dartmouth Ga- 
zette. He early began the public discussion of political 
questions, and also contributed to the journals of the 
time. In 1804 he wrote a political pamphlet entitled, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 839 

" An appeal to the old Whigs." He delivered Fourth 
of July orations as follows : at Hanover in 1800, at Frye- 
burg, Me., in 1802, at Salisbury in 1805, and at Concord 
in 1806. Daniel Webster joined the Congregational so- 
ciety in Salisbury, under Rev. Thomas Worcester's 
preaching, Sept. 13, 1806. Later in life he wrote out 
his faith and sent it to his old pastor, Mr. Worcester, 
amongst whose papers it was found after his decease. 

August Sth, 1S07. 
Dear Sir: 

The other day we were conversing respecting confession of faith. Some time 
ago, I wrote down, for my own use, a few propositions in the shape of Articles, in- 
tending to exhibit a very short summary of the doctrine of the Christian religion 
as they impress my mind. I have taken the liberty to enclose a copy for your pe- 
rusal. 

I am, sir, with respect, yours etc. 

D. WEBSTER, 

CONFESSION OF FAITH. 

I believe in the e.xistence of an Almighty God, who created and governs the 
whole world. I am taught this by the works of nature and the word of Revela- 
tion. 

I believe that God exists in three persons; this I learn from Revelation alone- 
nor is it any objection to this belief, that I can not comprehend how one can be 
three, or three, one. I hold it my duty to believe, not what I can comprehend or 
account for, but what my Maker teaches me. 

I believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the will and word 
of God. 

I believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God. The Miracles which he wrought, 
establish in my mind his personal authority, and render it proper for me to 
believe whatever he asserts. I believe therefore all of His declarations, as well as 
when He declares himself to be the Son of God, as when he declares any other 
proposition; and I believe there is no other way of salvation than through the 
merits of His atonement. 

I believe that things past, present and to come are all equally present in the 
word of the Deity ; that with Him there is no succession of time, nor of ideas; that, 
therefore, the relative terms i)ast, present and future, as used among men, cannot 
with strict propriety be applied to the Deity. I believe in the doctrines of fore, 
knowledge and predestination, as thus expounded. I do not believe those doctrines 
as imposing any fatality or necessity on men's actions, or in any way infringing free 
agency. 

I believe in the utter inability of any human being to work out his own salvation, 
without the constant aids of the Spirit of All Grace. I believe in those peculiari- 
ties of Christian religion, a resurrection from the dead and a day of judgment. 



840 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

I believe in the universal Providence of God, and leave to Epicurus, and his un- 
reasonable followers in modern times, the inconsistency of believing that God made 
a world, which he does not take the trouble of governing. ( Dr. Sherlock.) 

Although I have great respect for some other forms of worship, I believe the 
Congregational mode, on the whole, preferable to any other. 

I believe religion to be a matter, not of demonstration, but of faith. God re- 
quires us to give credit to the truths which he reveals, not because we can prove 
them, but because He declares them. When the mind is reasonably convinced 
that the Bible is the word of God, the only remaining duty is to receive its doc- 
trines, with full confidence of their truth, and practice them with a pure heart. 

I believe that the Bible is to be understood and received in the plain and obvi- 
ous meaning of its passages; since I can not persuade myself that a book intended 
for the instruction and conversion of the whole world should cover its true mean- 
ing in any such mystery and doubt, that none but critics and philosophers can dis- 
cover it. 

I believe that the refinements and subtleties of human wisdom are more likely to 
obscure than to reveal the enlightened will of God; and that he is the most accom- 
plished Christian scholar who hath been educated at the feet of Jesus and in the 
College of Fishermen. I believe that all true religion consists in the heart and 
the affections, and that therefore all creeds and confessions are fallible and uncer- 
tain evidences of evangelical piety. 

Finally, I believe that Christ has impressed on all of his disciples a life of active 
benevolence ; that he, who refrains only from what he thinks to be sinful, has per- 
formed but a part and a small part of his duty, that he is bound to do good as a 
communicant, to love his neighbor, to give food and drink to his enemy, and to en- 
deavor, as far as in him lies, to promote peace, truth, piety and happiness, in a 
wicked and forlorn world; believing that in the great day which is to come there 
will be no other standard of merit, no other criterion of character, than that which 
is already established. " By their fruits ye shall know them." — N. H. Gen. Associ- 
ation Minutes, 1S4S-66, pp. 77, 78. 

The late Hon. John M. Shirley, of Andover, in his Dartmouth 
College Causes, p. 4, says with a great degree of truth : 

" Webster was not a learned man, much less a learned lawyer, but he was a great 
man. * * A century hence complete justice may be done him. Few gave him 
credit for tact and management, but no American equalled him in knowledge of 
men, and his power to overawe and persuade judges as well as others. No 
skilled performer ever handled the keys of his instrument with anything like the 
consummate skill and tact with which Webster, when hard pressed, played upon 
the prejudices, passions and sympathies as well as the understanding of men. * * 
Shortly after his admission to the bar he came to Amherst, Hillsborough county> 
and argued a motion before Judge Farrar's court with such clearness that the dis- 
tinguished jurist remarked to his associates, " That young man's statement is a 
most unanswerable argument," and at once granted the motion. He opened an 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 84I 

office in Boscawen, then in Hillsborough county, in the summer of 1805; entered 
twenty-two cases at the September term, held at Hopkinton, and two jury cases 
in the presence of his father, then upon the bench. These causes were Haddock 
V. Woodward, and Corser v. forser. He gained the former and lost the latter, 
Parker Noyes, an able opponent and two years his senior in law, carrying off one 
of the verdicts. All of this occurred six months before he entered the court house 
at Plymouth, where he was first counsel for the respondent in a murder trial." 

He m. May 29, 180S, in the middle west room of the P. A. Fel- 
lows house, then occupied by Judge Israel W. Kelly, 
Grace, daughter of Rev. IClijah Fletcher, of Hopkinton, 
where she was b. Jan. 16, 1781. She received her edu- 
cation at Atkinson Academy, completing it in the fall of 
1800. When her sister Rebecca married Judge Kelly, 
Grace made his house her home. She was a woman of 
superior culture and refinement, associating with the 
greatest men of her day. She d. Jan. 12, 1S28. He m. 
(2) 1832, Caroline Bayard LeRoy. 

14. Fletcher, b. July 23, 1S13; graduated at Harvard College in 1833; he m. Car- 

oline S., dau. of Stephen White of Salem, Mass. He was colonel of the 
1 2th Mass. V. M., and fell in the service of his country, Aug. 30, 1862. 
Children, i. Caroline S., b. at Detroit, Mich. ^ Aug. 29, 1S37; d. at Boston, 
Feb. 7, 1S44. 11. Harriet, b. Sept. 6, 1S43; ^- ^larch 2, 1S45. ill. Daniel, 
b. — ; d. 1866. IV. Atherton. 

15. Grace, b. — 1837. 

16. Julia, b. Jan. 16, 1S18; m. in Loudon, Sept. 24, 1S39, Samuel Appleton; she d. 

April 18, 1S48; he d. Jan. 4, 1S61. They had one child, d. 

17. Charles, b. Dec. 31, 182 1 ; d. Dec. 14, 1S24. 

[ Hon. Daniel d. at Mansfield, Mass., Oct. 24, 1S52. His last words were, " I still 
live." The funeral occurred Oct. 29, and his remains were escorted to the 
tomb by some ten thousand friends.] 

18. William Webster, brother to Ebenezer, (5) b. at Kingston, 1749; removed to 

Salisbury prior to 1775, settling on the east side of Scarle's Hill on the 
farm known as the " liacon farm," where he d. April 24, 1S24, aged 78; 
m. Nov. 17, 1773, Kuth Grecly ; she d. Dec. 16, 1S23. 

19. Nathaniel G., b. Nov. 8, 1774; d. Feb. 9, 1790. 

20. Benjamin, b. Nov. 22, 1776; d. at Haverhill. 

21. Mary, b. Jan. 2, 1779; d. at Boscawen, Dec. 25, 1847; unm. 

22. Nathaniel G., b. Feb. 15, 1781 ; m. Nov. i, 1805, Betsey, dau. of Dca. Moses 

and Ann Fitts Sawyer; (see.) d. Aug. 8, i82.S. 



842 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

23. Ruth, b. Feb. 18, 17S3; d. at Hill, Oct. 26, 1830; unm. 

24. Susannah, b. March 22, 1785; d. Jan. i, 1793. 

25. Ebenezer, (Col.) b. Aug. 10, 1787; m. Sarah, dau. of Col. Ebenezer Webster; 

she d. March 19, 181 1 ; he d. at Boscawen, June 3, 1861. He was a mer- 
chant at Hill from 181 5 to 1846, when he removed to Boscawen. He was 
a colonel in the state militia. 

26. William, b. 1789; d. in Canada. 

27. Amos, b. Jan. 13, 1792; d. at Crescent City, 111., unm. 

28. Worcester, b. Oct. 25, 1794; m. (i) Feb. 22, 1825, Polly Pettingill; d. Feb. 22 

1842; m. (2) Mary J., dau. of Hon. Silas Benton; removed to Boscawen 
and engaged in trade, purchasing the business of his brother Nathaniel ; 
after the death of Hon. Ezekiel Webster, he purchased the property where 
he d. — . Children by first wife, all b. in Boscawen : i. Charles W., b- 
Sept. 14, 1826; m. Jan. 5, 1853, Lucy M. Greenough ; rem. to Boston in 
1S47, engaging in trade; then returned to Boscawen where he resides. 11. 
George W., b. 1S31 ; rem. to Boston in 1S50; d. there in June, i860; unm. 
III. Mary A., b. July i, 1839; m. Nov. 1S66, Charles E. Johnson, of Bos- 
ton ; res. Newton. 

29. Jeremiah Webster, a cousin to Ebenezer Webster, (i) a native of Kingston 

and son of Jeremiah, one of the grantees. He was a surveyor and one of 
the committee to lay out this township, who reported to the grantees, Nov. 
22, 1749. Jeremiah, Jr., succeeded his father as surveyor and was a prom- 
inent man in the early settlement. He came here previous to 1769, and 
settled on the site now occupied by Phineas Clough; d. March 4, 1817, 
aged 74; m. June 9, 1774, Anne Sleeper; d. Jan. 10, 1S41, aged 86. 

30. Jeremy, b. June 19, 1775. See. 

31. Joseph, b. Feb. i, 1777 ; d. March i, 1777. 

32. Dolly, b. March 4, 1778 ; d. unm. 

33. Josiah, b. March 13, 1780; resided on the homestead; d. unm., in the John 

Dimond house. 

34. Ann, b. March 12, 1782; m. Aug. S, 1813, Moses Coffin, of Boscawen, where 

she d. Jan. 24, 1841. He was b. at Newbury, Mass., Sept. 9, 1767. 

35. David G., b. March i, 1784; m. Emma Wardwell. 

36. Nathaniel, b. March 26, 1786; d. April 30, 1804. 

37. Joseph, b. March 31, 1788; d. 1789. 

38. Elizabeth, b. Oct. 2, 1790; d. Oct. 4, 1790. 

39. Eliphalet, b. April 5, 1792 ; rem. to Portland, Me., where he d. Nov. 3, 1S66. 

40. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 4, 1794; m. Sept. 28, 1818, Rev. John S. Winter, of Dan- 

bury; later she removed to Georgetown, Mass., with her children. 

{30) Jeremy built the Clough house and was a famous singing 
master ; he d. Aug. 20, 1841; m. Phebe Wardwell; she 
d. Jan. 20, 1847. 

41. Amos, b. Nov. 24, 1801 ; d. Aug. 30, 1821. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 843 

42. James R., b. March 20, iSc^; rem. to Georgia, where he d. Sept., 1841. 

43. Phebe, b. March 4, 1S06; m. Hubbard Hutchinson, of Merrimack. 

44. Nathaniel F., b., March 4, 180S; m. — Couch; he d. at Savannah, Ga., Sept. 

20, 1854; one child, J. Frank, b. at Dorchester, Mass., Nov. 18, 1837; m. 
Mary J. Cutting; he holds an important position on the Concord railroad. 

45. Mary A., b. May 20, 1810; m. (1) Joshua Burpee, of Boscawen ; m. (2) Samuel 

Gilman of Lake Village. 

46. Joseph \V., b. Nov. 12, 1812; a merchant of Savannah, Ga., where he d. March, 

i860. 

47. Emily, b. Dec. 20, 1S15; d. Feb. 26, 183S. 

48. Elizabeth J., b. Aug. 28, 1818; d. June 10, 1839; unm. 

49. Eliphalet, b. Jan. 4, 1821 ; d. Jan. 16, 1S22. 

50. Amos E., b. Sept. 17, 1S28; d. in Ga., Aug., 1S60, where he m. Eliza Sawyer. 

51. Capt. John, son of John and cousin to Ebenezer, i (.') b. in 

Kingston, in 1710. One of the proprietors of Contoo- 
cook, (Boscawen) to which place he early removed, and 
was one of the most prominent men. He kept the old 
Contoocook fort in which he had a store. He procured 
the act of incorporation of the town of Boscawen, for 
which service the town voted him ;^82, old tenor. He 
was one of that town's first selectmen in 1760, and 
chairman of the board in the following year. On the 
capture of the Meloon family, in 1754, Gov. Wentworth 
promptly ordered out a company of 20 men, giving the 
command to John Webster, whose experience, energy 
and efficiency admirably fitted him for the command. 
The ne.xt descent was made upon the Call family, on the 
intervale, near the Salisbury fort. Gov. Wentworth 
ordered out a company of 62 men under command of 
Capt. Blanchard, these two companies working together. 
In 1755, New Hampshire sent a regiment of si.x hun- 
dred men, under the command of Joseph Blanchard of 
Dunstable, against Crown Point, Capt. Webster serving 
as a private. He enlisted May i, 1756, and was in 
service until Sept. 2, of the same year, for the second 
expedition against Crown Point, this time in Capt. 
Doe's company. In 1757, an expedition was fitted out 
under the command of Col. Meserve. John Webster 



844 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

enlisted in Capt. Emery's company, serving from March 
7 to Nov. 5, and was at Fort Henry at its surrender. 
Capt. Webster was commanding officer of the first mili- 
tary company in town, Matthew Pettengill being his 
lieutenant, and Andrew Bohannon the ensign. At 
what time Capt. Webster moved to Salisbury is not 
known. In 1752, the proprietors voted to plow up 
twelve acres of land in Stevenstown, and to pay John 
Webster and Jonathan Greely ^^ 120 old tenor, for doing 
this work. In 1759, the proprietors granted him a 
hundred acres of land for building a saw mill. (This 
land began about where the South Road intersects the 
river road, and extending north to Chance pond brook 
in what is now Franklin.) After the completion of his 
three years' lease of the proprietor's saw mill, he came 
down and built a saw mill on Chance pond brook. (See 
saw mills.) When the inhabitants of Stevenstown 
wished to be incorporated they called upon Capt. John 
Webster, who consented to go before the General Court 
with the petition signed by our people for an act of 
incorporation. The act was granted the first day of 
March, 1768, and it instructed him to call the first town 
meeting. He served as moderator in 1770, and for the 
six years following. Sept. 7, 1778, Capt. John Webster 
and Capt. Ebenezer Webster were chosen by the town 
"to aid the selectmen in taking an inventory of the 
town, to estimate what each man hath done in this pres- 
ent war," "to fix the currency upon the produce of the 
country, and to call on those who have not done their 
part to come up to their duty by tax or draft," and he 
was on the committee in 1 781, to raise men and procure 
beef for the army. After getting his Chance pond 
brook (Webster lake brook) saw mill in operation he 
removed to South road and built the G. F. Elliott house 
where he d. April 29, 1788, aged 78 years. He, or his son 
Ensign John, gave some land for the site of the Congre- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 845 

gational church and the cemetery for the same. He m. 
Susannah Snow (?) and d. March 20, 1804, aged 91. 

52. John, b. 1745. See. 53. Stephen. See. 

54. Israel, resided for a long period of years near Dr. Joseph IJartlett. He rem. 

to Maine and returned to Salisbury, where he d. in the Josiah Hook house. 
Hem. Nov. 25, 1773, Elizabeth Kolfe. i. Ruth, b. May, 1773; d. in the 
Josiah Hook house, Sept. 17, 1859, aged 86; unm. 11. Israel, b. Oct. 10, 
1775; d. June 22, 1851. III. John, b. June 20, 1777. iv. Sarah, b. Oct. 
27, 1779. V. Humphrey, b. Feb. i, 1781. vi. Samuel, b. Jan. 15, 1783; d. 
March 2, 1784. vii. Charlotte, b. March 4, 1785. viii. Betsey, b. April 
20, 178S. 

55. Humphrey, b. April 11, 1764. See. 

56. Sarah, remained with her brother Israel ; d. unm. 

57. Rebecca, m. John C. Gale. See. 

(52) Ensign John very strongly took after his father; built the 

William H. Moulton house, and after the death of his 
father he owned both houses; d. Feb. 3, 1S24, aged 79; 
m. Rebecca Dearbon of Kingston ; she d. Dec. 4, 18 19, 
aged 69. 

58. Mary, b. Oct. 1776; d. Dec. 4. 1S57; unm. 

59. Susan W. S., b. Aug. 11, 1780; d. Sept. 4, 1849; "!■ -^sa Shaw of Kensington. 

60. Hannah W. W., b. Aug. 17S1; d. — . 

61. John Dearborn, b. May 11, 1782; m. Nov. 15, 1S04, Sarah V. West; b. at 

Stratford, Vt., Sept. 17, 17S4, and d. at Ogden, N. V., Veb. 10, 1S62; they 
removed to Genesee county in N. V., ( as it was then called ) where he d. 
May 9, 1S65. Children b. at Ogden, N. Y.: I. John \V., b. Aug. 4, 1S04; 
m. Oct. 15, 1S33, Esther Arnold. 11. Persis, b. Oct. 18, 1806; m. March 2. 
1835, ^^- P- I'arker; he d. Jan. 26, 18S0; she res. at Spencerport, N. V. 
III. Clarissa M., b. Aug. 27, 1810; m. June 26, 1831, W. M. Hrown ; she d. 
Nov. 26, 1879. IV. Samuel N., b. March 24, 1822; m. Feb. 15, 1844, Maria 
Scott. 

62. Ruth, b. March 29, 1787; d. Sept. 23, 1862; unm. 

63. Nancy W., b. Dec. 25, 1788; d. Sept. I, 1S6S; m. T. R. Little. See. 

64. Nathaniel, b. Feb., 1790; built the brick house on Mutton road where he d. 

March 6, 1835 ; unm. He was the first introducer of the Merino sheep into 
Salisbury, this famous sheep being introduced into this country in 1S02 
by Col. David Humphreys. 

65. Samuel, b. May, 1791 ; d. Jan. i, 1S26; m. — I>ay; res. in the Elliott house. 

(53) Stephen built the first building just south of the Elm 



846 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

house, which was later made a part of the hotel. It was 
a long, narrow, two-story building facing the south; a 
door in the middle and one at each end. He used it as 
a "Tavern stand;" some tradition says it was the first 
tavern in the town. He afterwards occupied the Nicho- 
las Wallace house. He m. Jan. 17, 1779, Hannah, dau. 
of Lieut. Matthew Pettingill. 

66. Stephen C, b. Nov. 29, 1779. 

67. Jonathan P., b. May 20, 17S2. See. 

6S. Sally, b. Jan. 3, 1785; m. Joseph Little; d. April 8, 1828. 

(66) Stephen C, by trade a carpenter; resided in the N. Wal- 
lace house ; succeeded Josiah Rogers in the hotel ; moved 
to the Getchel house where he had a carpenter shop ; d. 
Oct., 1850; m. Sept. 4, 1803, Nancy Hacket; d. Oct. 25, 
1 87 1, aged 84. 

69. Harrison W., d. young. 70. Susan, m. — Tafts, of Boston, Mass. 

71. Jeanette, m. — Warren, of Hanover. 

72. Eliza, m. — Whipple, of Detroit, Mich. 

(55) Humphrey settled on the site now occupied by Sylvanus 
Webster; March 8, 181 5, he rem. to Bridgewater, thence 
to Plymouth, where he d. Sept. 3, 1838; m. (i) Rhoda, 
(Phebe) dau. of Lieut. Matthew Pettingill, by whom she 
had eleven children, five of whom d. in infancy ; m. (2) 
March 9, 1815, widow Eliza Pingrey, of Bridgwater; d. 
Jan. 2, 1843, aged 81. 

73. Matthew P., b. Sept. 27, 1787. See. 

74. Humphrey, b. Dec. 12, 1789; enlisted in the war of 1S12; received a bullet 

wound in the face; after the close of the war he returned home, remaining 
a year, when he removed to Virginia where he practiced law; d. 1S20. (?) 
M. C. Webster say.s, "he graduated at some college." Middlebury (?) 

75. Amos P., b. May 23, 1793; learned the cabinet maker's trade; rem. to Boston, 

Mass.; m. — ; he became proprietor of a large livery stable and later of 
an eating house ; d. — . 

76. Betsey, m. Jacob Gale. 

77. Susan C, b. June 3, 1S04; m. Nov. 9, 1826, Wm. W. Russell, a merchant of 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 84/ 

Plymouth, his son, W. W., continuing the business, which was founded by 
Moore Russell, in 1798; she d. Sept. 15, 1845; he d. Sept. 3, 1872. 

78. Mary Amanda, b. Dec. 3, 181 1 ; m. March 13, 1S35, Hon. Peter Harvey of Bos- 

ton; she d. Dec. 29, 1839; he d. 1878. 

{6y) Jonathan P., in trade first at Boscawen, and for more 
than forty years in trade in the house where he d. in 
Salisbury, Oct. 29, 1858. The following obituary was 
written by a former secretary of state, and an intimate 
friend : " Everywhere and by everybody he was esteemed 
a good citizen, an affectionate husband, an indulgent 
father, a kind neighbor aud an honest man. Every 
evening his books were well arranged, either for con- 
tinued action or for a final closing up." He m. in Bos- 
cawen, Jennette Wilkins, Dec. 28, 1809; b. Oct. 13, 1789, 
d. March 17, 1867 ; dau. of Dea. Jonathan Wilkins of Con- 
cord. 

79. Francis Brown, b. May 27, 1816; graduated at Dartmouth college in 1S41 ; 

read law with Hon. Samuel 15. Ruggles at New York, but did not prac- 
tice ; went into mercantile pursuits; m. April 2, 1S50, Martha, dau. of Hon. 
Robert Harry, of Barnet, Vt.; merchant at P)Oston and Cambridge, Mass. 
So. Frederick H., b. Jan. 5, 1S25; d. suddenly, Xov. 11, 1832. 

(73) Matthew P., remaining on the farm built the present 
Sylvanus Webster house. At the age of 6}, he went to 
California, where he remained three years ; returning 
went to Washington and visited his friend, Frank Pierce 

to ' 1 

then president; returned and began speculating in arti- 
ticles for California. He killed the last wild deer in 
town ; m. April 2, 181 1, Nancy Calef ; d. — . 

81. Moses C, b. Dec. 28, 1812. See. 82. Noycs, d. young. S3. Phel)C. 

84. Gustavus v., m. Feb. 25, 1S41, Louisa Sanborn. 

85. Humphrey, b. Feb. 19, 1821 ; graduated at Dartmouth in 1S44; became a 

teacher at Springfield, Mass., then at Worcester; rem. to Maborn, N. C, 
where he had a plantation just previous to the war; d. 1S66; m. Nov. 29, 
1S53, Kliza Hamilton, dau. of Lucius A. Emery, of West Newbury, Mass. 

86. Sylvanus P. 87. Charles P., d. young. SS. John, d. young. 
89. Amos, d. young. 90. .Amanda, m. Lovcll ; d. here. 



848 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(81) Moses C, m. Priscilla P., dau. of Aldad Austin ; b. at 
Boscawen, (now Webster) July 14, 18 13. 

91. John A., b. Nov. 9, 1835; d. June 17, 1839. 

92. John A., b. Aug. 9, 1S40; d. March 7, 1854. 

93. Charles, b. July 27, 1843. 94- Matthew A., b. April 31, 1847; d. July 17, 1877. 

95. Jennie, b. July 10, 1849; d. Aug. 28, 1871. 

96. Warren C, b. Feb. 5, 1853; m. Dec. 29, 1881, Jennie Smith, i. Warren S., b. 

Dec. 25, 18S2. 11. Jennie, b. Oct. 28, 1884. in. Marion, b. March 20, 
18S7 ; d. Feb. 9, 1889. 

[Humphrey Webster, Jr., of Boscawen, and Clarissa Greeley's marriage was posted 
Feb. 16, 1S04; m. March 20, 1804, Mary Webster of Salisbury; m. June 
26, 1808, Reuben Raino of Andover.] 



[By permission of the Secretary of State we are permitted to 
insert on tlie next page a cut of the statue of Webster in the 
State-house yard, at Concord.] 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 85 I 



THE WELLS FAMILY. 

I. Samuel I., Esq. See his biography in the chapter de- 
voted to lawyers. He m. Miss Lucy Kellogg, a most fascinat- 
ing and accomplished lady, possessing much literary talent in 
the writing of Sunday school books. He d. at Portland, Me., 
1846-7. Children all b. in Salisbury: 

2. Andrew J. 3. Spencer. 4. Lucy. 

5. Walter, b. Oct., 1830; fitted for college at Yarmouth academy; entered Bow- 
doin college from which he graduated in 1S52, with high honors. The 
subject of his oration was: "The Conflict of Great Principles." He was a 
teacher and lecturer on educational topics for a number of years, deliver- 
ing addresses on a variety of scientific subjects in several states of the Union. 
, In 1S67 he took charge of the Hydrographic survey and embodied the 

result of his labors in the work entitled, " Water Power of Maine." He 
also wrote an Elementary Physical Geography, and many pamphlets on 
different subjects, besides being a frequent contributor to magazines. In 
1869 and '70 he was Secretary of the National Association of Cotton Man- 
ufacturers and Planters, located in Boston, and while in that position he 
wrote an elaborate and exhaustive report on the relation of the tariff to 
the growth and manufacture of cotton in the United States. Subsequently 
Mr. Wells was connected with the Fairbanks .Scale Company, and later 
was in the employ of various railroads. He was a liberal minded, genial 
man, and strictly honorable in all his dealings. He d. at Portland, Me., 
April 2\, iSSi ; m. 1S76, Mary Sturdivant of Cumberland, who, with one 
child, Theodore, are left to mourn the loss of an affectionate husband and 
father. 



THE WEST FAMHA'. 

I. Nathaniel West, who married Sarah Burbank, was born 
in Concord and had thirteen children. His twelfth child was 
Edward, who settled in Salisbury; b. Dec. 30, 1762; m. at 
Concord Sept. 28, 17S6, Miriam Badger, who was b. March 10, 
1768, and d. at the home of her daughter, in Concord, Jan. 19, 
184.". He d. Sept. 12, 1821, at Salisbury. When he moved to 



852 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

Salisbury in 1790 he located on the site now occupied by Mrs. 
Eliphalet Little. April 14, 1794, David and Nathan Currier 
sold to Mr. West 46 rods of land for ;^8o old tenor, on which 
he erected a blacksmith shop, which stood on land now occu- 
pied by Jonathan Arey, just west of the above house. On the 
completion of the 4th New Hampshire turnpike he built the 
Flanders house, lately occupied by L. A. Hawkins, his shop 
standing between his dwelling and that of Dr. G. P. Titcomb. 

2. Noah, b. at Concord, May i, 17S7. See. 

3. William, b. April 2, 1790; m. Mary Barker ; resided in Concord ; d. Nov. 7 

1855- 

4. Moses B., b. Feb. 23, 1793. See. 

5. Joseph C, b. April 29, 1794 ; m. Mary Abbott of Concord, where they resided ; 

d. Oct. 26, 1859. 

6. Edward, b. Aug. 23, 1796; d. Aug. 29, 1796. 

7 and 8. Nancy and Fanny, b. April 19, 1800; d. iSoi. • 

9. Nancy, b. Feb. 17, 1803; m. Peter { S ?) Cate; resided at Lowell, Mass. 

10. Fanny, b. April 15, 1805; m. Peter ( S.?) Cate of Sanbornton ; she d. Sept. 5, 

1835 ; when he m. Nancy. 

11. Sophia B., b. at Concord, Feb. 7, 1812; m. Nov. 22, 1837, Rufus Merrill, pub- 

lisher and bookseller, of Concord. 

12. Edward, d. Jan. 18, 1831. 

(2) Noah, m. July 19, 1807, Hannah, dau. of Ensign John 
Webster; b. 1781 ; d. Aug. 19, 1863. Resided for a time 
in the ell of Dr. L. A. Hawkins house, when he built 
the G, P. Eastman house, where he d. July 20, 1835. 



Rebecca, b. Aug. i6, 1S07 ; m. Sinkler Bean ; she d. in Mich.; he res. Spring 
Harbor, Mich. 

John W., b. April 22, 1S09; m. Hannah Hilton; d. at East Andover, where 
she res. 

Joseph C, b. Aug. 28, 1810; m. Rebecca Pike; d. at Amherst, March 2, 1859. 

Clarissa P., b. April 22, 1813; m. Oct. 23, 1842, Hiram Moon; res. at Kalama- 
zoo, Mich. 

Jane, b. Oct. 28, 1814; d. Sept. 21, 1S20. 18. Ruth, b. March 20, 1S17; she 
lives with her sister at East Andover. 

Charles E., b. Jan. 29, 1819; m. (i) Ann Bickford; m. (2) Mrs. Elizabeth San- 
born ; res. at Concord ; d — 

Mary J., b. Sept. 2, 1820; m. July 5, 1846, Charles B. Hilton; res. E. Andover. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 853 

(4) Moses B. resided in the George r2astman house until 1829, 
when he rem. to Lowell, Mass.; returned to the William 
Marden house in Boscawen ; d. — ; m. March 14, 1823, 
Marinda B. Elliott, of Boscawen ; he d. Jan. 15, 1847. 

21. Charlotte A., b. Dec. 2S, 1823; m. Caleb E. Smith. See. 

22. Sarah F., b. July 5, 1S2S; m. Feb. 23, 1849, Samll F. Whitney; res. Plattsburg, 

N. Y. She d. Sept. 27, 1887. 

23. Ellen, b. in Boscawen, Oct. 24, 1S37; m. Joseph Morrill, of I'enacook; d. f)ct. 

1S69. 



THE WHITTAKER FAMILY. 

I. Robert, b. in Salem, N. H., Aug. 28, 1798; m. (i) Feb. 
2, 1820, Mary A. Woodard ; b. at Jamaica Plain, Mass., March 
27, 1802; she d. at Atkinson, May 15, 1838; m. (2) at Atkin- 
son, Aug. 28, 1839, Abigail M. White, of Haverhill, Mass.; d. 
here, March 20, 1858. Mr. Whittaker and his family removed 
to Salisbury, May 20, 1842, purchasing the Nathan Currier 
house, where he d. April 27, 1S48. 

Children by first wife: 

2. Louisa A., b. at .Salem, May 12, 1S22; m. .April 30, 1S54, John F. Perley, of 

Topsfield, Mass.; d. July 3, 1881. 

3. Hannah W., b. at Salem, April 16, 1825; m. Nov., 1S46, John H. Potter, o^ 

Topsfield, where she d. Nov. 25, 1865. 

4. Thomas IL, b. at Salem, Oct. 6. 1827; m. Sept. 21, 1S51, Abiah E. Roby, of 

Boscawen ; she d. Sept. 24, 1S82. Mr. Whittaker remains on the home- 
stead, following the occupation of his father, that of a shoemaker, with 
shop adjoining the store of William B. Dunlap. He was chosen town 
clerk in 1S6.S, holding the office for five successive years, and was also 
elected selectman, continuing until his resignation in 18S1-2. i. Olive, b. 
Nov. II, 1S55. II. Alma C, b. Feb. 11, 1.S57; m. Feb. 10, 1S7S, Frank F. 
Baker, of .\ndover. 

5. Susan S.. b. May 2, 1S30; m. Nov. 25, 1852, F. H. Locke, of Topsfield. 

6. Robert M., b. Sept. 4, 1832; d. at .Vtkinson, March 12, 1836. 

7 and 8. William O., and .Mary O., b. at Atkinson, Sept. 22, 1835; William O. d. 
Dec. 12. 1S35; Mary O. d. Dec. 6, 1835. 



854 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 



THE WHITE FAMILY. 

The ancestor of this family was William, b. in Norfolk 
county, England, in 1610, arriving in America in 1635. He 
had a son John, b. in 1640, who d. at Haverhill, Mass., in 1668; 
he had a son John, b. 1664, who d. in 1729; he had a son Nic- 
odemus, b. 1698, d. in 1782; he had a son, Noah, b. in 1728, 
d. in 1788; he had a son, James, b. May 20, 1754; m. 1775, 
Eunice Kingsbury ; he d. Dec. 18, 1830. Among his numer- 
ous family was : 

1. Thomas R., b. at Haverhill, Mass., Feb. 23, 1776. See. 

2. John, b. July 19, 1783. See. 

(i) Thomas R. was a clerk in Samuel Greenleaf's store, and 
later opened a store on Corser hill, Webster, where he 
m. Dec. 28, 1812, Mary H. May. Returning to Salis- 
bury, he opened a store in what is now Amos Chapman's 
house, and then he built a store between Dr. Titcomb's 
house and J. C. Smith's barn. He rem. to Warner, and 
later to Andover, being in trade at both of these places. 
He d. at Franklin, Aug. 24, 1857. 

3. Lucy J., b. in Webster, Feb. 4, 1S14; m. Joseph Clark; d. at Franklin, June 6^ 

1864. 

4. Mary M., b. in Salisbury, Aug. 9, 1S15; m. Feb. 19, 1839, C. H. Clark. 

5. Sarah M., b. in Salisbury, Jan. 20, 1S18; m. Dea. Moses True. See. 

6. John, b. in Warner, March 4, 182 1 ; m. Martha Richardson. 

7. Caroline, b. in Warner, Oct. 25, 1822; m. 1851, Hon. Austin F. Pike; she res. 

at Franklin. 

8. Harriet, b. in Andover, Dec. 30, 1S25; m. John Patricks, of Canterbury; d. in 

Iowa in 1873. 

9. Catherine, b. in Andover, May 4, 1S2S. She was a successful practitioner of 

medicine. 

10. Francis E., b. in Andover, June 8, 1S32 ; d. unm. 

11. George F., b. in Andover, May 5, 1834; killed at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 17 

1864. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 855 

(2) John was a clerk in Greenleaf's store, and then he built the 
store owned by Alfred Richardson, in which he did a 
good business. April i6, 1828, he sold out to Thomas 
R. Greenleaf. He rem. to Andover, Mass., and later to 
Chester. He d. Feb. 3, 1868; m. Dec. 12, 1811, Sophia 
Wilkins. 

12. Caroline, b. Sept. 25, 1S12; d. Dec. 28, 1S19. 

13. William H., b. Sept. 8, 1814; d. Nov. 23, 1S43; "i- — • 

14. Caroline, b. Oct. 26, 1S19; d. Sept. 13, 1821. 

15. Ann M., b. June 6, 1S23; d. July 2, 1852, unm. 

16. James, b. Feb. 8, 1S26; d. July 17, 1846. 



THE WHrrMORE FAMILY. 

This name is recognized as early as the twentieth year of the 
Norman conquest. It is claimed by some that VVhitmore was 
the ancestral name, but, the family becoming more numerous, 
a branch of it changed their name to Whittemore. Persons 
posted on the families say there were two distinct families. 

(i) Anthony, b. at Newburyport, Mass., March 15, 1771, rem. 
to Salisbury in 179S, where he purchased the "Williams 
store "in which he traded several years; subsequently 
trading the place with Benjamin Pettingill, he came into 
possession of the Dr. Batchelder place. (See.) Mr. 
Whitmore bought the Abel Elkins tavern stand, and 
partly turning the building around, he put it in its pres- 
ent shape, and sold it to Esquire Hale Pettingill for 
$2,600. He then built the Jonathan P. Webster build- 
insrs. He owned much real estate about Centre Road. 
In 18 1 2 he purchased the farm recently occupied by his 
son, Anthony K., where he d. July 12, 1825. Sept. 6, 
1806, he was appointed justice and for some years did 
much of that business. He was one of those live, ener- 



856 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

getic business men, satisfactorily accomplishing what- 
ever he undertook. He m. Jan. 16, 1795, Priscilla, dau. 
of "Master" Thomas Chase, b. at Newburyport, Mass., 
Jan. 22, 1776; d. May 31, 1856. 

2. Anthony K., b. in Newburyport, Mass., June i, 1797. See. 

3. Elizabeth H., b. in Salisbury, April 7, iSoo; m. Jan. 1826, Dr. Daniel Mowe, 

the celebrated patent medicine proprietor, of Lowell, Mass. He d. — . 
She d. at Lowell, Mass., Jan. 5, 1890. 

4. Ruth C, b. Nov. I, 1801 ; m. Dec. 28, 1823, John Calef. See. 

5. Samuel K., b. April 3, 1803; d. at Haverhill, Mass., 1880; m. — . 

6. Benjamin F., b. Dec. 24, 1802; m. — Whitmore, of Lebanon; d. at St. Louis, 

Mo. 

7. Joseph W., Sept. 16, 1S09; m. Mary A. Cross, of Salem, Mass. He d. at Port- 

land, Me., where he was engaged in the post office. He was a smart and 
capable business man. She res. at Portland. 

8. Sarah K., b., Aug. 30, 181 5; m. Nov. 23, 1837, Prof. John liutterfield, M. D., 

a native of Lowell, Mass. He was a professor in the medical college at 
Cincinnatti, Ohio, and afterwards rem. to Columbus. After settling up his 
affairs he returned to Salisbury, and d. at F. B. Calef's. She m. (2) Hon. 
Joseph H. Giger, of Cincinnati, where they reside. 

(2) Anthony Knapp remained on the farm. He d. Dec. 13, 
1883 ; m. April 23, 1823, Abigail Huntoon. Shed, Dec. 
19, 1872. 

9. Susan B., b. March 9, 1834; m. Dudley Colley. 10. Samuel K., b. Dec. 5, 1S35. 
II. William W., b. Dec. i, 1S37; unm. 

Emily J., b. Jan. i, 1840; m. — Wallace; res. Antrim. 
Sarah K., b. Feb. 10, 1842; m. Whitney Hill. 
14. George F., b. Feb. 15, 1844; m. — . 15. Anthony, b. April 24, 1S46. 

16. Elizabeth M., b. April 24, 1849; ^- Tristram Page; res. Antrim. 

17. Edward C, b. April 24, 1851. 18. Priscilla C, b. April 17, 1855; m. — 



THE WHITTEMORE FAMILY. 

THREE BRANCHES. 

Rev. Aaron, b. at Concord, Mass.; graduated at Harvard 
college in 1737; he was ordained the first minister at Pem- 
broke, N. H., March 12, 1737, remaining till Nov. 16, 1767, 
when he was seized with paralysis while preaching and died 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 857 

the following morning, aged 55 years. Among his numerous 
family was : 

I. Benjamin. See. 2. Ebenezer. See. 3. Peter. 

(i) Capt. Benjamin, better known as "Button Whittemore," 
was a famous character and was always in law with some 
one, even if it was his own sons, one of whom put the 
litigious old gentleman in jail. Nov. 29, 1791, he pur- 
chased Daniel Brottlebank's farm, and later removed to 
Danbury. He d. at Concord, — . He had 16 children 
by one wife. He m. (i) Abigail — ; m. (2) Sarah Saw- 
yer, (Ruth D. on gravestone) d. July 15, 1828, aged 29 
years. 

4. John, b. in Pembroke, Feb. 22, 1776; rem. to Salisbury in 17S2, and in 179S he 

rem. to Rumford, .\Ie., where he m. (i) Jan. i, 1799, Betsey Pillsbury; she 
d. Dec. 15, 181 5; m. (2) Dec. i, 1S34, Olive Brainard; rem. to Danbury in 
1807, and June i, i8i2, he rem. to and became the first resident at Dix- 
ville, where he remained until his death, which occurred on Jan. ig, 1S46. 
He went to Dixville as agent for Daniel Webster, to look after and take 
charge of the land in that vicinity. Children by firstwife : Benjamin, Sarah, 
Samuel, John, Daniel, Mary and Elizabeth; by second wife, Octavia. 

5. Ebenezeer. 6. Benjamin, d. in Danbury. 7. Amos. See. 

8. Samuel, who resided in the David Bacon house, which was destroyed by fire 

in 1882, m. Jan. 1821, Martha, dau. of Stephen Perrin. She had seven 
children, among whom were, Lucy, Mary, Martha, Harriet and Susan, who 
were all noted school teachers. 

9. Esther, b. — ; d. June 22, 1S25, aged 37 years. 

10. Judith, b. — ; m. Aug. 8, 1799, (either this date is wrong or she was a sister 

to the father) Joseph Adams, of Boscawen. 

11. Susan, b. — ; m. April 24, 1S33, Joseph Goss, of Springfield; rem. west. 

12. David. 13 Amelia, b. — ; d. Feb. 27, 1833. 

(7) Amos, resided in the Miss Kate Shaw house on Racoon 
hill. He m. (1) Nov. 28, 1821, Judith Kemp, of Salis- 
bury; d. March 14, 1835, aged 39; m. (2) Aug. 22, 1S41, 
Mrs. Mehitable Ouimby, of Springfield. He d. at 
Princetown, 111. 

14. Deborah, b. Nov. 1824; d. Oct. 11, 1825. 

15. Fletcher K., b. 1S34; d. Oct. 10, 1837. 



858 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

(2) Ebenezer, better known as "Cane Whittemore," from his 
being lame and using a cane in his profession. He 
settled in the old school house, which stood by a large 
tree, south of Thomas Bruce's, at Shaw's corner. In 
this small room, with an L attached, he raised a large 
family, and followed the occupation of a shoemaker, 
although most of his business was "whipping the cat." 
In olden times, shoemakers took their tools on their 
back and went from house to house, making up the 
year's supply of boots and shoes for the family, and this 
was called "whipping the cat." He was b. at Pembroke, 
March 2, 1778; m. Feb. 2, 1800, Lydia S. Richards, of 
Boscawen ; b. May 5, 1778; she d. July 13, 1845; he d. 
Nov. 2, 1863. Seventeen children were the fruits of 
their marriage. One died an infant, one at ten years, 
and two each at one and three years. Thirteen became 
men and women. The family without exception were 
intelligent and temperate ; each of them had a comforta- 
ble home and maintained a high standing in the 
community in which they lived, and most have been 
active church members. Four sons and one daughter 
remain. 

16. Daniel B., the second son, left Wilmot some forty-five years^ removing to 

Keene, Ohio, where he has been a farmer and merchant. 

17. Albert G., b. 1806; is a successful farmer at Napoli, N. Y. 

18. Joseph, b. 1813 and was ordained a pastor of a Baptist church in Tiverton, 

R. I., in 1S40, but for twenty years has practiced medicine, and now res. at 
Osage, Iowa. 

19. Daniel R. The following extract from the "Biographical Cyclopcedia of Rep- 

resentative Men of Rhode Island, 18S1," gives a very good sketch of the 
remaining son: "Whittemore, Daniel Richards, was b. in Salisbury, N. 
H., July 31, 1819. He was the sixteenth child of Ebenezer and Lydia 
(Richards) Whittemore, of a well-known New Hampshire family. * * 
In March, 1835, Mr. Whittemore left the employment of the farm, to 
which his earlier years had been devoted, and went to Lowell, Mass., 
where he was a mechanics' apprentice, a student at Dracut academy, and 
the publishing agent of Zion's Banner," a weekly religious newspaper. 
During this period he was actively engaged in religious work. Early in 
1842 he removed to Rhode Island, and in October of that year was 



GENEALOGY AND HIOGRAPHY 859 

ordained to the gospel ministry and became pastor of tiie Kree ISaptist 
church, at North Providence. Rev. Martin Cheeney and Joseph A. 
McKensey were members of the council. In 1S46 he became pastor of 
the South Free Haptist church in Newport, R. I. Since 1849 he has 
resided in the westerly part of Providence, on the " Whittemore Place." 
Mr. Whittemore has been widely kuown as a member of the Free IJaptist 
denomination, and has aided many of its churches. * • He was an out 
spoken Abolitionist * * and has always been an officer of the Rhode 
Island Peace Society. * * At the same time he has been successfully 
employed in the insurance, and other business, and while he has combined 
the work of both a clergyman and layman, he has sustained a character 
that honors both. Incisiveness of opinion, correctness of judgment, and 
positiveness of opinion are traits which make him a wise counsellor and a 
bold leader. Mr. Whittemore was married Nov. 29, 1S42, to Kliza Jane 
Gilbert, of Francestown, N. H. They have four children, Lucy H., the 
wife of the editor and publisher of a weekly newspaper in West Union, la. 
Gilbert E., a prominent member of the Providence school board. Joseph 
A. and David H. are printers and publishers at Providence. 

20. Susan C, the youngest of the family, m. Moses Noyes; res. Springfield, N. H. 

(3) Peter built the Samuel Emerson house, where he followed 
the occupation of a farmer, and highly respected by his 
townsmen. He gave his children a liberal education, 
and some of them became noted teachers. His grave 
stone in the Calef yard bears this inscription : 

PETER WHITTEMORE, 

SON OF REV. AARON W., 

born 
in Pembroke, April 2, 17 58, 

Married Jan. 1783. 

Came to this town June do. 

where he lived respected and 

died 

Dec. 16, 1S36, aged 78. 

His wife was Elizabeth, dau. of Dea J. Baker ; b. in Pembroke, 
Feb. 19, 1763 ; d. Sept. 4, 1826. 

21. Betsey, b. April 21, 17S9; d. in Hristol, Oct. 30, 1S48. 

22. Caleb, b. — ; m. Dorcas Taylor, resided and d. in Hridgewater. 

23. Charlotte, b. — ; d. Sept. 2, 1S40. 24. Peter, b. May 7, 1787. See. 

25. Joel, b. — ; m. Rachael Hrown. of Andover; rem. to Springfield, afterwards 

went west. 

26. Susan, b. — ; m. Deacon Goss, of Springfield. 



86o HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

27. Mary, (Polly) b. Aug. i, 1793; "i- Moses Eaton, of Grantham. She was a 

noted teacher for 34 years, and d. in Salisbury, Jan. 16, 1S71. 

28. Hannah, b. — ; m. Capt. Samuel Quimby. 

29. Relief m. Daniel Haley; m. (2) Thomas Haley; res. E. Andover; d. June 30, 

1885. 

30. Abigail; d. unm. She was a school teacher. 

(24) Peter res. in the Dea. John Woodbury house ; d. May 8, 
1870, aged 83; m. (i) Dec. 12, 1833, Susan Baker, of 
Bow; d. Aug. 4, 1856, aged 54; m. (2) May 4, 1858, 
Mary H. Clement, of New London ; res. — ; all the chil- 
dren d. young. 



THE WILDER FAMILY. 

I. Capt. Luke, of whom very little is known, except in con- 
nection with Esquire Bowers, in a number of business transac- 
tions, removed here from Billerica, Mass., and undoubtedly 
returned to the same place. He was full of life and vigor, 
and was above-board in all his transactions. Previous to 1793, 
he kept a store at South Road, in which year he paid a tax on 
;^250 worth of goods, and in 1803 a tax on ;^3,ooo worth. 

2. Susannah, b. Nov. 8, 1794. 3. Luke, b. March 10, 1796. 
4. Charles W., b. March 19, 179S. 



THE WILSON FAMILY. 

The earliest of this family in America was Thomas, who left 
Scotland in 1633, joining the Wheelwright compact at Exeter, 
in 1638, Dr. Job, (i) being the sixth descendant from Thomas. 
Dr. Job's father was Capt. Nathaniel, who was one of the early 
settlers of Gilmanton, where he m. a daughter of Robert Bar- 
ber. She d. 1824, aged 85 ; he d. 18 19, aged 80. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 86l 

I. Dr. Job, (see physicians ) b. at Gilmanton, Jan. 25, 1776; 
m. Oct. 1801, Nancy Farnum ; b. Jan. 30, 1782 ; d. March 
10, 1854. He d. at Franklin, Sept. 22, 185 1. All of 
their children were b. in Salisbury. 

2. Benjamin, b. Oct. 15, 1S02; d. Oct. 10, 1803. 

3. Benjamin F., b. May 3, 1S04; d. Jan. 25, 1S50, iinm ; rem. to Kalamazoo, Mich. 

4. Thomas \V., b. Feb. 15, 1806. See. 

5. Job P., b. May 25, 1810; m. Laura Stevens, of Haverhill; rem. to Rumney. 

He d. — ; she m. (2) — Webster; res. Haverhill. 

6. Abigail S., b. Jan. 25, 1812; d. unm. 

7. Lydia J., b. Feb. 2, JS14; d. April 5, 1872; m. Aug. 20, 1S40, Grove Stevens, 

of Piermont. 

8. Jeremiah W., b. Jan. 11, 1S16; read medicine with his father, and attended 

lectures at Dartmouth Medical College in 1840. He rode with his father 
until 1846, when he went to the Castleton, ( Vt.,) Medical school, where he 
graduated in 1847. Soon after he located at Contoocook Village, ( Hop- 
kinton ) where he continues. Aug. 18, 1845, he was appointed surgeon of 
the 2ist regt. State Militia. He m. March 30, 1847, Elizabeth, dau. of 
Deacon Thomas Gerrish, of Boscawen ; she d. — 

9. Ephraim F., b. Oct. 30, 1817; read medicine with his father in 1839; pursued 

the same studies with his brother. Dr. Thomas W.; attended lectures at 
the Castleton ( Vt.) Medical school, where he graduated in N'ov., 1845^ 
He first opened an office at Union Bridge, ( now East Tilton ) in 1S46. In 
1S49 ^^ ''^'"- to East Concord, his practice being restricted by older prac- 
titioners. In 1854 he removed to Rockville, Conn., where he enjoyed an 
extensive practice, which he was obliged to relinquish on account of failing 
health, and engaged in the drug business. He m. April, 1847, Rhoda 
Barnard; had Ellen L., a graduate at Holyoke Female Seminary. His 
first wife d. — ; m. (2) Eleanor Eastman; one son, John E. 
10. George \V., b. July 15, 1825; m. May 15, 1855, Ellen M., dau. of Stephen 
Sawyer. See. 

(4) Thomas W., (see physicians) m. Oct. 27, 183 1, Amanda 
M. Sawyer. He d. April 13, 1861. She d. — . The 
children were all b. in Salisbury. 

ti. .Moses Stevens, M. D., b. — ; distinguished for quiet industry while at school ; 
spent two years in a drug store at Lowell, Mass.; read medicine with his 
father; attended lectures at Dartmouth Medical' College, and later at 
Castleton, Vt., graduating at Harvard .Medical school, receiving his degree 
in March, 1859. He opened an ofticc in Warner, where he contined until 
the death of his father in 1S61, when he returned to the homestead in 
Salisbury, where he remained until his appointment as assistant sur^^eon in 



862 HISTORY OF SALISBURY 

the 7th N. H., regiment, which was stationed at St. Augustine, Fla. His 
health failing he resigned in the summer of 1864, and in the following 
Sept. rem. to Galesburg, 111., where he d. Nov. 14, 1873; ™- Nov. 28, — , 
Mary S., dau. of Ira Harvey, of Warner. Dr. Wilson was thoroughly at 
home with his business, and was in sympathy with the present liberal 
and progressive spirit of the profession, and charitable in his expressions. 
In 1S65 he united with the Congregational church. 

12. George T., born May 31, 1S41 ; m. — 

13. P"rancis S., born Jan. 10, 1S45 ; m. — 



ROBERT WISE, 

First settled opposite the nouth gate leading into the ceme- 
tery, at what is now Lower Franklin, and for some years 
conducted a ferry across the Merrimack river, known as 
" Wise's ferry." (See Ferries.) He afterwards moved nearer 
Lower Village, near Clay Hill and d. He formed an attachment 
in the army for Col. Ebenezer Webster, and after the war he 
came here under the protection of Col. Webster ; who while 
here looked out for his protege. Wise afterwards became 
reduced to straightened circumstances, and for some years 
before his death he was aided by the town. After his death 
the town took care of his widow and after her death, the 
town sold what little personal property remained. Hon. 
Daniel Webster apostrophizes this odd character in his autobi- 
ography. See Curtis's Life of Webster, pp. 10 and 11. 

"Early and deeply religious, my father had still a gocxl deal of natural gayety ; 
he delighted to have some one about him that possessed a humorous vein. A 
character of this sort, one Robert Wise, with whose adventures, as I learned them 
from himself, I could fill a small book. He was a near neighbor, and a sort of a 
humble companion for a great many years. He was a Yorkshire man ; had been a 
sailor; was with Byng in the Mediterranean; had been a soldier; deserted from 
the garrison at Gibraltar; traveled through Spain, France and Holland; was taken 
up afterward, severely punished and sent back to the army; he was in the battle of 
Linden ; had a thousand stories of the yellow-haired Prince Ferdinand; was sent to 
Ireland, and later to Boston, with the troops brought out by General Gage; 
fought at Bunker Hill; deserted to our ranks; served with the New Hampshire 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 863 

troops in all the succeeding campaigns, and at the peace built a small cottage in 
the corner of our field, and lived there to an advanced age. He was my Izaak 
Walton. He had a wife but no child. He loved me because I would read the 
newspapers to him, containing the acccounts of battles in the Kuropean wars. He 
had twice deserted from the English king, once at least committed treason, as well 
as desertion, but he still had a Hritish heart. When I had read to him the details of 
the victories of Howe and Jones, etc., I remember he was excited almost to convul- 
sions, and would relieve his excitement by a gush of tears. He finally picked up a 
fatherless child, took him home, sent him to school, and took care of him, only, as 
he said, that he might have some one to read the newspaper to him. He could 
never read himself. .Mas, poor Robert ! I have never so attained the narrative art 
as to hold the attention of others as thou, with thy Yorkshire tongue, hast held mine. 
Thou hast carried me many a mile on thy back, paddled me over and over, up and 
down the stream, and given whole days in aid of my boyish sports, and asked no 
meed, but that of right. I would set down at thy cottage door, and read to thee 
some passage of thy country's glory; thou art indeed a true I5riton." 



DANIEL AND EZEKIEL WEBSTER. 



AN ADDRESS 

Bv Hon. Hknkv I'. Rolke, 

Delivered at Lancaster, February 2, /SS6, before the Annual .^feeting of the 
Bar Association of Grafton and Cods Counties. 

At the age of fifteen, Daniel Webster's health was not good, 
and lie was far from strong. He could do only the light work 
about the house, the stable, and the farm. On the other hand, 
Ezekiel, two years older, was a sturdy, strong, well made young 
man, who did his full share of hard farm-work with the '' hired 
hands." He lisped considerably when talking, but Daniel spoke 
in a full, clear, deliberate manner. Both boys were studious: 
a laily who attended school with both of them has said that she 
never saw either of them idle in school. 

Their father did not have an abundance of this world's goods. 
He had been one of the first settlers in Salisbury, establishing 
himself on the extreme frontier ; and he had spent a large share 
of his life in the service of his country, with poor pav, or no 
pay at all. When he began to think about the education of his 
sons, his farm was under a mortgage, but he had determined 
to " raise his children to a condition better than his own." 
Consequently he sent Daniel to l*hillips academy in Kxeter, 
then the capital of the state. Both boys had attended everv 
day their own district school while it lasted, aiul the schools in 
adjoining districts frequently were arranged so as to afford one 
or two months more instruction to pupils living near by, 80, 
when at the age of fifteen his father sent him to Hxeter, Daniel 
was proficient in all English branches. His school-masters had 
been Master Chase, anil, specially, the renowned .lauies Tappjin, 
whom he afterward mentions in the most endearing terms. His 
health improved with study, and his intellect brightened and 



866 DANIEL AND EZEKIEL WEBSTER. 

strengtbened as bis body developed and grew strong. Exeter 
academy was an expensive school for the father's straitened 
means, and the son's intellectual growth seemed to outstrip the 
conditions and opportunities around him. So, after two terms, 
or six months, at Exeter, the father determined to send his son 
speedily to college, and with this object made arrangements to 
place him at Boscawen under the instruction of the Rev. Samuel 
Wood, a most benevolent man and excellent teacher. He kept 
his determination from the boy for some time, and at length 
told him he would carry him over to Boscawen and i)lace him in 
the care and under the tuition of Mr. Wood, where he could " do 
chores" and thereby pay a good share of his expenses. 

Daniel had heard a great deal of Dartmouth college, and had 
onged for the advantages and delights that an education there 
would confer upon him, but had never dared to expect, or even 
hope, that he could be the happy recipient of them. 

When he came near the end of the journey to Boscawen, and 
while ascending the long, steep hill that led to Mr. Wood's 
house, the fatlier, for the first time, opened to his son his deci- 
sion to send him to college. O happy day for Daniel Webster ! 

happier day for Dartmouth college ! With a heart full of 
filial love and overflowing with filial gratitude, the boy laid his 
dizzy head upon the paternal shoulder and wept, but said noth- 
ing. Late in after life he wrote, — '' The thing appeared so high, 
and the expense and sacrifice it woul,d cost my father so great, 

1 could only press his hand and shed tears. Excellent, excel- 
lent parent ! I cannot think of you now without being a child 
again ! " The lips that never afterwards failed to express the 
emotions of that great, noble, loving heart were dumb with 
overpowering thankfulness, and the tongue that afterwards 
thrilled the civilized world with its eloquence "cleaved to the 
roof of his mouth." 

Later, his father sent for him, and he went home for the hay- 
making, — but the hay-field was lonely compared with Mr. Wood's 
study ; turning the mown grass was dull work compared with 
turning the leaves of Don Quixote, or the translation of Vergil 
and Cicero. He thought his scythe hung more gracefully, and 
more to suit him, on the limb of an apple-tree than in his hands ! 

Daniel went to Hanover on horseback to enter college, and 



DANIEL AND KZEKIEL WKHSTKU. 867 

carried his bud, bedding, cUjtIiiiig, ;iiid liooks witli liim. His 
way led through New Chester, Hill, I):udiiiiv, (oafton. Orange, 
Canaan, Enfit'bl, and Lebanon. He was poorly prepared for 
college, his preparatory course having lasted only eleven 
months. He liimself said, '-I was not lilted for college." 
There, as everywhere else, he was never idle. In addition to 
his prescribed studies and duties he read much, and paid his 
board for an entire year by su|»erintending the publication of a 
little weekly paper : during the winter vacations he taught 
school. When he went away one winter he wore away Benja- 
min Clark's new ten dollar beaver hat : hats at that time were 
made of real beaver fur. He was quite a swell as school-master, 
with this elegant new head-covering. His class-mate, Clark, 
su|)posed it was surely lost. Clark had searched high and low 
for his new hat, and was obliged to i)ut up with an old one that 
he had. When Daniel came back to college with the hat, Clark 
shook hands with him over the joke, and tiiey were good friends ; 
and so glad was the latter to find that his nice new hat, the 
envy of the college, had not been stolen, that they remained 
good friends ever after this so called " college prauK." 

While Daniel for two years and a half was exulting in the 
enjoyment of educational advantages, Ezekiel, wliom he loved 
with all the tenderness of youthful brotherly ardor, was at 
home, at work early and late on the farm hel|)ing his father and 
contributing to the support of Daniel in college, without mur- 
muring or ol)jecting. The latter began to feel uneasy at his 
brother's situation. It troubled him to think that Ezekiel, with 
many gifts as great as his own, should be plodding at honie on 
the farm, while he himself was obtaining a liberal education. 
Though Daniel was unhappy at his brother's prospects, what 
could be done? To educate one son at Dartmouth seemed 
almost more than his father, with limited nieansand a mortgaged 
farm, could do. When Daniel had been at college one year and 
two terms, and was paying many of his own expenses by the 
labors above dcscril)ed, he took courage for his " brother Zeke " 
and went home to spend bis May vacation. The two boys went 
to bed, and through the live-long night held serious consultation 
about the elder Itrother's chances to fit for college and complete 
his education. Daniel was two years his junior, and already 



868 DANIEL AND EZEKIEL WEBSTER. 

nearly half through his collegiate course : the elder brother was 
at least five years behind him. They rose after sunrise without 
having shut their eyes, but they had settled their plans. All the 
pros and cons had been weighed and considered, and, although 
it might seem late in life for Ezekiel to commence his prepara- 
tion for college, it was settled that Daniel should propose to his 
father that Ezekiel should be sent to school and to college. 
This was the first cause of importance that the great advocate 
undertook, and it was before a most appreciative tribunal, and 
he had a client whom he adored. The father was old, his health 
not good, his circumstances not easy, the farm must be carried 
on, the mother and two sisters tenderly cared for : when Ezekiel 
should go away the mainstay of the family would be gone. 

" Father " said Daniel, " I am extremely unhappy at P^zekiel's 
prospects in life. Nature has been bountiful in gifts to him. 
In personal appearance, in manly beauty, he is inferior to no- 
person that I ever saw. It is true he lisps a little, but, with 
me, this only adds a charm to his speech. But he has rare 
qualities both of head and heart, and when his natural endow- 
ments shall be improved and polished by a liberal education, he 
will be a man that his father, his mother, his brother, and his 
sisters will be proud of. I cannot bear to be enjoying advan- 
tages denied to him. For myself, I can see my way through. 
My pathway to respectability, to knowledge and self-protection, 
is clear before me. I am nearly half-way through college, and, 
by editing a paper at Hanover and teaching school for the past. 
two winters, I have been able tlius far to pay more than half 
my bills. I am no longer despondent about myself. I am full 
of courage. I can keep school and stay more than four years 
in college, if necessary, if only my brother can have the advan- 
tages that I am enjoying. I hope never to fail in affectionate 
veneration for you and mother, nor in tender regard for my sis- 
ters ; but I want Ezekiel to have the advantages which I have^ 
and then they will afford me more than double enjoyment. It 
will sadden all my future life to have him denied the privileges 
which he deserves as much as — yes, more than I." 

The reply of that father, who "shrunk from no sacrifice to 
serve his country through the fire and blood of a seven years*^ 
revolutionary war," entitles him to the appellation of " excel- 



DANIEL AND EZEKTKL WKRSTFR. 869 

lent, excellent parent." "My son," said lie, " I Jun'e lived and 
<im living bnt for my wife and my children. I have but little of 
this world's goods, and on that little I put no value, except as 
it may be useful to them. To carry you botii through college, 
my son, will take all that I am worth, and I am willing to run 
the risk myself; but when it comes to your mother and sisters, 
it is a more serious matter. You are all equally dear to me, and 
had it pleased heaven to endow me with riches, there is no priv- 
ilege of education that should be denied any one of you. Eze- 
kiel and you must settle this matter with your mother and sis- 
ters ; if their free consent is obtained, you shall both have a 
collegiate education, and I will put my trust in Providence and 
get along to the end of life as well as I can." 

There was a grave family council of father, mother, sons, and 
daughters. For a time the father sat in silence. At length he 
said to the mother, — " I have had a long talk with Daniel about 
Ezekiel's going to college, and the hearts of both the boys seem 
to be set upon it ; but I have told them that I could promise 
nothing without the free consent of their mother and sisters. 
The farm is already mortgaged, and if we send Ezekiel to col- 
lege it will take all we have ; but the boys think they can take 
care of us." 

Parents and children mingled their tears together. Daniel 
had gone, and now Ezekiel, the strong staff upon which the 
aged father and mother and the unmarried dependent sisters 
were leaning, must be separated from them and tlu-ir home no 
longer be cheered daily by his presence. 

It was a moment of intense interest to all the family. The 
mother was a high-minded, stout-hearted, sagacious woman, 
and it did not take her, the mother of two such boys, long to 
decide the matter. She at once saw the reasonableness of the 
request, and the great advantage to be derived by her son if his 
request should be granted, and she gave her decision in these 
words: " I have lived long in this world, and have been happy 
in my children. If Daniel and Ezekiel will promise to take care 
of me in my old age, I will consent to the sale of all our prop- 
erty at once, that they may enjoy with us tli.- iMmnt'- of whiit 
remains after our debts have been paid." 

O excellent, excellent father! Nol)le, noble mother! Dear 



870 DANIEL AND EZEKIEL WEBSTER. 

devoted sisters ! The die was cast, and with tears and benedic- 
tions the family submitted to a temporary separation. But the 
farm was not sold, and the parents continued in comfortable 
circumstances to the end of life. One of the sisters was happily 
married and became the mother of the well known and accom- 
plished scholar, diplomat, and orator, Charles B. Haddock, while 
both spent useful and happy lives and left behind them good 
and honored names. 

Daniel went back to Hanover ; Ezekiel took his bundle of 
clothes and books to Dr. Wood's, and began the study of Latin 
and Greek, for he, like Daniel, was well up in the English 
branches. There was an excellent academ}' at Salisbury, and 
as Daniel had been allowed two terms at Exeter, Ezekiel was to 
be allowed two terms at Salisbur}', after which he was to return 
to Dr. Wood's. He spent six months at the academy, and then 
completed his preparatory course with Dr. Wood, where his ex- 
penses were about one dollar a week. It is fair to presume the 
elder brother was as well fitted as the younger, for he was quite 
as studious, although he distrusted his ability to get on. But 
Daniel wrote him frequently from Hanover, cheered him up, 
and allured him along. 

In the spring of 1801, Ezekiel entered Dartmouth, before his 
brother had graduated. In August of the same year Daniel 
took his diploma, his brother having already accomplished one 
year of his collegiate education. 

It has often been said that Daniel was exasperated with the 
treatment of the faculty in not giving him the valedictory, and 
indignantly tore up and threw away his diploma, exclaiming, 
" Dartmouth college will hear from me hereafter." This story 
has no foundation in truth whatever, and no graduate of the col- 
lege ever cherished more personal regard for the professors and 
more veneration for his alma-mater than did Daniel Webster. 

Theodore Parker, in his sermon on Mr. Webster's death, 
preached in the Melodian in October, 1852, remarked that "Dr. 
Wood had small Latin and less Greek." Mr. Parker was misin- 
formed. Dr. Wood graduated at Dartmouth in 1797 with the 
highest honors of his class, and was awarded and delivered the 
valedictory address at commencement. He studied theology, 
was licensed to preach, and began his ministry in the October 



DANIEL AND EZEKIEL \V?:HSTER. 871 

following. He prepared four score of young men for college, 
and was considered a ripe scholar for liis time. Tlie writer of 
this article was born and reared in the same school-district 
where Dr. Wood resided during all his life in Boscawen, and 
knows he was an excellent linguist and an eminent divine. It 
will not be supposed that Daniel Webster was taken from so 
distinguished and competent a teacher and classical scholar as 
Dr. Abbott of Phillips Exeter academy to complete his prepar- 
atory course and put on the finishing touch with Dr. Wood, if the 
latter had " small Latin and less Greek." He was, as I have 
said, an excellent classical scholar and a learned man, and tlie 
degree of doctor of divinity was conferred upon him at a time 
when that honor signified something. 

DIPLOMA. 

I desire to call attention to anotiier mistake of Mr. Parker's, 
made in the same sermon, anil which was current as a tradition 
a long time before Mr. Webster's death. He said, — " He grad- 
uated in his twentieth year, largely distinguisiied for power as a 
writer and speaker, though not mucli honored by the college 
authorities. So he scorned his degree, and, when the faculty 
gave him their diploma, he tore it in pieces in the college yard 
in presence of some of his mates, it is said, and trod it under 
his feet." I heard this a great many times when a boy, and 
while fitting for college and in college, and always considered it 
an invention of some idle, careless, disappointed person who 
had neither earned or deserved collegiate honors. I shrank 
from contradicting this story, but at the same time hail the 
best evidence that it had no shadow of a foundation, for if 
Daniel Wel)ster had, more than a year after his graduation, 
shown and translated his diploma to one of his loved and cher- 
ished friends, it would i)e rather convincing proof to me that he 
did not tear it up and trample it under his feet. Hut within one 
year, Mr. Steplien M. Allen, president of the Webster Histori- 
cal Society, in the Spectator, has reiterated the story as a tradi- 
tion . 

At an agricultmal fair, where George W. Nesmith was present, 
his attention was called to a decision upon the merits of two 
animals, wherein one had an award in money and the other, a 



872 DANIEL AND EZEKIEL WEBSTER. 

diploma. A person remarked that the money award was made 
to the wrong animal, and he further said, — " If I were that ani- 
mal that has received the diploma, I would do with it as Daniel 
Webster did with his : I would tear it up in the presence of the 
committee on bulls, and tread it under my feet." Mr. Nesmith 
said he related this to Mr. Webster soon after, and he said there 
was not a word of truth or semblance of it in the story. He 
said, — "It was true the valedictory lay between me and another 
very worth}' member of the class, and I thought I deserved the 
honor, and many of my classmates thought so too, and I felt not a 
little chagrined ; but you do n't suppose I was so indiscreet as to 
show it, much more to tear up my diploma, which I then prized 
as the most choice treasure a young man could possess. Be- 
sides, I should have been obliged to decline the honor, for I had 
already been selected by my class to deliver an address before 
the Fraternity, which I preferred at that time to the honor of 
being valedictorian." This has been told me within two years 
by Mr. Nesmith, and he has assured me that the late Professor 
Shurtleff told him the same in refutation of this story. Judge 
Vesey, of Rutland, Vermont, had his attention called to this 
matter by the publication of Mr. Allen's article in the Spectator, 
and he replied to it in the Century Magazine, and relates there 
the same thing told him years ago by Professor Shurtleff, in 
complete refutation of the diploma fabrication. 

But to return to the subject : After this episodical defence of 
Dr. Wood's classical fame, Ezekiel taught school one winter in 
Salisbury and two winters in Sanbornton. In the spring of 
1804, three years after he entered college, he began a private 
school in Boston, which he taught for a year. So studious was 
he, that three years from his entrance into college he went to 
Boston, and returned at commencement, passing his examina- 
tions and earning his degree, thus accomplishing in three years 
what Daniel did in four. So reduced did his father's finances 
become, that he could no longer furnish the boys with funds. 
Ezekiel was sent money by Daniel during his last year at Han- 
over, and Daniel earned this money at Conway, b}' copying 
deeds in the Register's office. The father continued to hold the 
office of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, to which he was 
appointed in 1791, till his death in 1806. 



DANIEL AND EZEKIEL WEBSTER. 873 

In the discharge of all the duties of citizen, soldier, magis- 
trate, parent. Christian. Judge Webster was a man of whom his 
neighbors, his townsmen, his country, and his illustrious children 
might be justly proud. Of all the brave men who stood watch 
and ward over the frontier of civilization in New Hampshire, 
none displayed more fortitude than he. He had the heart of a 
lion, and the sweet, tender sympathy of a giil. 

When Daniel was admitted to the bar in 180.'), he came to 
Boscawen and opened an ollice in oider that he might be near 
his honored father, to administer to his wants and to comfort 
him in his old age. In 1807, having paid the debt of gratitude 
as well as he could to these ''excellent parents," anil having 
laid them tenderly away to that rest which remaineth for them, 
he transferred his ofiice and most of his business to Ezekiel, 
and moved to Portsmouth to continue the career that in the end 
made him the n)ost illustrious son of this republic. 

The beautiful and tender tril)ute which he paid to his father 
at Saratoga on August 19, 1840, is the sweetest and most fra- 
grant expression of filial love and childlike veneration within 
the limits of language. 

Speaking of the log-cabin in which the "elder brother and 
sisters were born," he said, — "If I ever fail in affectionate ven- 
eration for him wlio reared it and defended it from savage vio- 
lence and destruction, cherished all the domestic virtues beneath 
its roof, and, through the fire and blood of a seven years' revo- 
lutionary war, shrunk from no danger, no toil, no sacrifice, to 
serve his country and to raisi' iiis children to a condition better 
than his own. may my name and the name of my posterity be 
blotted forever from the memory of mankind." 

In the history of Boscawen and Webster by CofHn, there is 
what purports to be a likeness of Ezekiel Webster. It bears 
but little resemblance to him. It has not the princely head of 
the original. It has a stiff "tape and buckram " appearance. 
It lacks the full, thickly covered head of snowy-white hair, and 
the open, manly countenance and clean-cut features, of the 
original. Daniel, looking with eyes of brotherly tenderness, 
saw in him, as he lay in his collin, "the liiicst human form he 
ever laid eyes on." 

At the age of forty-nine, when his liopi'^ and prospects were 



874 DANIEL AND EZEKIEL WEBSTER. 

ripening, tiie silent summons was served upon him, and lie 
passed from earth to heaven, from the inferior court below 
to the supreme court above. Standing erect before a jury in 
Merrimack county, with the judge, the bar, and a large audi- 
ence listening intently to his words, his arms hanging gracefully 
by his side, he ended a branch of his argument, and instantly 
closed his eyes in death. In the midst of the solemn scene, 
George Sullivan, the eloquent attorney-general, who was to fol- 
low him in his argument, exclaimed " What shadows we are, 
and what shadows we pursue ! " 

Ephraim Hutchins, then twenty-three years of age, whom 
Daniel Webster well knew, and at whose father's tavern he was 
accustomed to stop when in Concord, started immediately in a 
private conveyance for Boston to carry the sad intelligence to 
Daniel. The roads were muddy, and badly cut up by heavier 
traffic. Frequent changes of horses enabled him to reach 
Boston late in the night of the same day or early in the morning 
of the next. Young Hutchins knew where Mr. Webster lived, 
and, driving directly to his house on Summer street, knocked at 
the door. A window iu the chamber above was immediately 
raised, and Mr. Webster was visible. The wagon stopping in 
front of his house in the stillness of the night had given notice 
of the arrival of some one before the signal knock at the door. 
"Who is it?" said Mr. Webster. "Ephraim Hutchins," was 
the reply. "Is P^zekiel dead?" came the enquiry from the win- 
dow. "Yes," was the response; "while addressing the jury 
in the court-house in Concord, he fell dead in an instant with- 
out a moment's warning." "I thought," replied Mr. Webster, 
"that must be the errand you came on when I heard the wheels 
of your carriage stop in front of m}' door." There was no tele- 
graph, no railroad then, and no public conveyance except the 
stage-coach, and the condition of the roads April 10th, in the 
night, made the journey, over seventy-five miles long, a severe 
one. Mr. Hutchins related to the writer forty years after, with 
tears standing in his eyes nearly all the time, the incidents of 
this journey, and the never-to-be forgotten interview with Mr. 
Webster just described. Nineteen years after the death of their 
loving and beloved brother, Daniel Webster, in kind remem- 
brance of this service, requested President Taylor to appoint 



DANIEL AND EZEKIEL WEHSTER. 875 

Major Hutcbins post-master of Concord, and it wti.s done. 
From 1849 to 18")3, the man wlio tlirougli tln' darkness of tlie 
lone night had hinried over the long and weary way with early 
tidings of this lamented death, most faithfully and most accept- 
ably discharged the duties of the odlce. 

NEW HAMTSniRK A GOOD STATIC TO KMKiUATK FKOM. 

In October, 1844, being then a member of Dartmouth college 
in the freshman class, I was obliged to visit Boston on business, 
and on my way took in a Democratic mass meeting at Salis- 
bury. It was a cold, bleak, dreary day, and the meeting was 
in an open field at the South Road, and Charles II. Peasiee and 
Levi Woodbury were the tield orators. It was so cold that an 
adjournment was had to the hotel, and the last speaker was 
Franklin Pierce. I had never before seen him, and I was capti- 
vated by his manners, his personal appearance, and the beauty 
and elegance of his diction. In the course of his speech he 
said, — " It was the remark of a distinguished son of New 
Hampshire, who was born and reared on your soil, and who 
hasn't drawn a free breath for the last fifteen years, that New 
Hampshire is a good state to emigrate //'o^h." He put especial 
emphasis upon the word from, and I think I am not saying any- 
thing extravagant, wlien I allirra that no man could give more 
significance to a word or a sentence by his manner and the 
sna|) of his head, than Franklin Pierce. He did not call Mr. 
"Webster's name, but every person in the crowd knew perfectly 
well that the distinguished son of New Hampshire, who was 
born and reared on the soil of Salisbury, was Daniel Webster, 
and many knew that he referred to his having been paid a lib- 
eral sum to acce[)t a position in the Senate of the United States 
with a salary of eight dollars a day there, when he could obtain 
in the practice of his profession in Boston many times that 
amount. At a '' colored beverage " entertainment in Franklin 
in 1850, after Daniel Webster had made his celebrated 7th of 
March speech. General Pierce said to Mr. Webster, when specu- 
lating a little upon the proltability of the Whigs' dropping him 
on account of that speech and other speeches supplementary to 
tliat, — •' If the Whigs <lrop you the Democrats will take you up» 



876 DANIEL AND EZEKTEL WEBSTER. 

and they will raise you so high that your feet will scorn to kick 
the stars." 

At a public dinner given at the Eagle hotel, on its completion 
in 1852, when Franklin Pierce had been shown to be the choice 
of the people for the presidency of the United States, Col. John 
H. George, who always echoed his friend's declarations, re- 
marked when called upon for some postprandial remarks, 
*' Daniel Webster used to say tliat New Hampshire was a good 
state to emigrate from," not emphasizing the word from. Mat- 
thew Harvey, George G. Fogg, Asa McFarland, General Pierce, 
Charles H. Peaslee, and many other gentlemen distinguished in 
public affairs, were present, and no one seemed to doubt that 
Daniel Webster made this remark. I have heard it on other 
public occasions, more out of the state than in. I have seen it 
in print ; but Daniel Webster never made the remark. No 
such idea ever entered into his brain. He doubtless did think 
that it was a credit to a man to hail from New Hampshire. He 
might say "We raise men up in New Hampshire ;" and he might 
have said, " I am a New Hampshire man," the same as the 
Roman was accustomed to say, "I am a Roman citizen," but 
that he ever said or intimated that New Hampshire was not a 
good and noble state to be born in, to live in, and to die and be 
buried in, is untrue. No man ever manifested more love, or 
cherished more affectionate regard, for his native state than 
Daniel Webster, and it was one of the studies of his life how he 
might the more appropriately declare his devotion to the land 
of his birth, tiie home of his childhood, and the state where the 
triumphs of his early manhood were achieved. But I am not 
left without a witness in this matter. My lamented friend, 
General Walter Harriman, said to me many times during the 
four or five years before his death, that he had a conversation 
witii Peter Harvey upon this saying, and Mr. Wel)ster denied 
with much feeling that he ever publicly or privately made any 
sucli remark in that form or anything that could be construed 
into it, and that every word of it was a pure fiction. Peter 
Harvey is gone. General Harriman has just stepped over the 
threshold of immortality, but George W. Nesmith " still lives." 

He has told me many times, and within a few months, that he 
had several interviews with Mr. Webster, and he said, "I never 



DANIEL AND KZKKIKL WEBSTER. 877 

said it, nor anvtliinu; of tliiit import. My utterances have been 
rather public, and it seems as thougii some one could tell the 
time, the place, or the occasion where I made such a remark, or 
any other remark not respectful to the land of my birth. The 
remark was many years ago attributed to Jeremiah Mason, but 
I do not think he ever made it." 

About 18 lo, Ezekiel Webster and Richard Fletcher were 
arrayed against each other, before a board of referees in 8al- 
isbiu'v, where a young school-master was complained of for 
unmercifully punishing one of his pupils. The referees were 
Andrew Bowers, Benjamin Pettengill, and .labez Smith. The 
trial excited a great deal of interest, and it is not too much to 
say that these attorneys were the best advocates in that section 
of the state. Webster was for the little lad, an«l Fletcher for 
the school-master, and the following is the exordium of Web- 
ster's argument: "May it please you, gentlemen referees: It 
has got to be the case now-a-days, that when a young man gets 
to be sixteen or seventeen years of age, goes to an academy 
school six weeks, gets a five-dollar French watch in his pocket, 
a rattan as long as your arm, and a ruflle shirt as wide as a 
hand-saw, he is fit to teach school." Kzekiel Webster has been 
dead fifty-four years, l)ut the school-master still lives, and 
Daniel Webster, in 1841, caused him to be appointed Tniled 
States attorney for the district of New Hampshire. 

In the columns of an old newspaper published in the northern 
part of New Hampshire, is the following story, entitled 
"Daniel Webster and the Teamster." " N«'ar the end of the 
last century a teamster from (Irafton county (;ame to a hill near 
the house of p"benezer Webster, father of Daniel, in what is 
now Franklin, formerly Salisbury. This hill was too hard for 
his team, and he sought aid at the house of Mr. Welister. 
Daniel, then a youth, and not very well clad nor very genteel, 
was sent to his assistance. Years passed, arul the teamster's 
property was in peril. An eminent lawyer. Moses P. Payson, 
of Bath, was employed as his counsel. In the trial of the cause 
he needed the aid of able associate counsel, and secured the ser- 
vices of Daniel Webster, then a rising young lawyer in New 
Hampshiie. When told by Mr. Payson who it was that was to 
assist him. the teamster replied that he had little hope of their 



878 DANIEL AND EZEKIEL WEBSTER. 

success, as he recognized in hitn tlie swarth}' boy whom he had 
met 5'ears before, and he did not look as though he would make 
a great lawyer. At the opening of the case the desponding 
client took a seat in a remote corner of the court-room, feeling 
apparently as little interest in the result of the trial as any of 
the spectators. When Mr. Webster opened his argument the 
client found that this lawyer was really something of a man. 
As he proceeded, his estimate of his ability increased. When 
he closed it was evident to everybody in the court-room that 
Mr. Webster had won the case, and liad convinced all present 
that he was no ordinary man. The jury returned a righteous 
verdict, and tlie grateful client, who twice in early life had lost 
his all, said to Mr. Webster with deep feeling, — " I regard you 
as an angel sent for my deliverance. My wife and children 
will bless you to their latest day for what you have done for us." 

Gentlemen, brothers, and members of the bar of Grafton and 
Coos counties : I have long sought some public occasion to give 
these utterances in respectful regard to the memory of him who 
was school-mate, neighbor, and friend of my mother ; who was 
genial, gracious, and kind to his townsman, my father ; and it is 
fitting and proper that I should utter them here before this glow- 
ing mass of intelligence, before these cultured gentlemen, 
among the great mountains, whose gleaming peaks and towering 
heights tell me of majesty, sublimity, grandeur, and beauty, 
where genius drew in the inspiration of a great life beneath 
these extreme northern skies, from whence this Jupiter Tonans 
of America first drew down the bolts of that matchless thunder 
which eventually went reverberating around the world. 



IN DEX. 



A 




Hagley, George 70,141.2.',5 
20 i,-J»;2 


Abbott, Jabez 


188 


John 70,265,256 


John D. 


223 


Jonathan J. 278 


Joseph 


221 


AVilliam 70, 255, 258, 2i;2 


Joshua 


252 ' 


272 


Academy, Andover 220 


Bailey, Caleb 1*. 2J4 


Amherst 


168 


George 201 


Colbv 
Salisbury 


183 


Isaac 186 


207. 208 


Joshua 2.'<2 


Adams, Archelas 


85, 140, -'94 


SaiMiifl 282 


Hela 


2-23 


William 21S,222 


Benjamin 0. 


179,224 


Baker, Benjamin 7", 140 


James 0. 


2J4 


201 


Jolin 


9.9G 


249 


Joseph, Lieut. 


82,141,2 8 


Kdmund 355 




2tj7 


Kdvvurd 357,422 


Joseph, Jr. 


349 


John 4 3,436 


Robert M. 


342 1 


Marshall 194 


Samuel, U. 


283 ' 


Thomas, ("apt ,3.". 


Adrian College 


170 


Bakerstown 31, 32, 33, 35 


Agricultural Society 5,383 


39.'> 




384 


Bakery 844 


Alarm list 


278 


Baldwin, Isaac 2,53 


Allen, Albert G. 


378 


Nahum 266 


Kobert 


275 


Ballard. John O. 323 


Samuel 124,141,221,285 


Ball, .lohn 222 




351,433 


Baptist Association 


Almsbury Pond 


19 


Salisburv Society 180 


Ambrose, Samuel A. 314 


Calvihistic ' l«l. 


Ames, Natliaii 1*. 


282 


Barber, t^llicr, 1st child 247 


Amherst 78,252, 


2.56,262,284 


Jethro 2t-}.'Ji'.4 


Ames, Simeon 


231 


Kobert 8,-54. 69.7 •.141.15 


Amsden, Uev. S. 


li. 184 


241,244,246,247,248.250 


Anderson, James 


34 


255,260 


Andover Theological 


Peter 141.177 


Seminary 


168 


Barilett, Bailey 3H1 


Antipodo-Baptists 130,189 


Balev. Maj. 141 




176 


Duvi'd 38 


Antiquities 


314 


Kiioch 8,37 


Arcy,Jona. V. 


21, 1-27, 379 


Ichabod 5,85.98.206.216 


Ash, Nathaniel 


208,283 


378,435 


Johti 


69,249,264 


James 4;t.'> 


William 


C9 


John 224 


Association, test sign- 


Joseph 5,6<!.'" '■' ■' '•■ ^•-' 
121,132.1; 


ers of 


68 


Atherton, Charles H. 98 


221.21'2,-' 


Atkinson, David 


55 


;.„-. — , .• ■•■••> 


Samuel 


173 


Joseph, Jr. »w».4a6 


Ibeodore 


3>,287 


Josiah, Got. 61,67.68,132 


Alwood, (ieorge 


272 


265 


Austin, Kzra 


a'-^i 


Nathan 174 


Ayers, Charles 


ai.i,8H4 


IVter 206.222,864,884,898 


Jona. 


317 


422 


Peter 


88,38,40 


nov. KoU-rt 1H9 


B 




Samuel, 3d :'4 




.SamueK .. 8r., C.120,124 


Hacon, Charles H. 274 


2o6.221,346,866,860,8«il 


Duvld F. 


274 


884 


Hadfter, I'easlee 


817 


Samuel C-, Jr. 0,43fl 


John 


88 


William H. 6.6.104.438 



BHrnstal)le. Mass. 1.84 

Barritt. Ihomafi 280 

Barrington 3 

Baslord, Benjamin 255 

James 2.'>5,25'> 

.Joseph 69,255 

Batclicld<>r. Abraham 

and .lethro 287 

Zachariah 218 

Calvin 403 

Rev. Stephen 129 

Benj- 14 ' 

Beal, Ihomas 357,384 

/acariah 34 

Bean, Amos 212,224 

A mo* S. 273 

Beniah 70,141,197.202,2.'* 

Benjamin 68,282,2>^8 

Daniel 8)31 

David G. 348 

( ieorge K. 274 

John 69,70.189.249,252 265 

256.26.1,278.428 

Jonathan 267,282 

Joseph 422 

Joseph, Jr. 37.55.57,62 ft4 

iW.69.70.76.79.lZl, 183 

137. 139. 140. 199. 20l 

260, 26 •, <S3, ,-521,826 

328.829,.339.376 

Joshua S. 1H8.378 

I-ivl 86,212,268 

J. -Moroy 188.487 

N. W. 486 

Phiueas 6«,70,115,122,137 

141.202, 255, 262. 2t53 

265.267, 282, 32.'.. .'128 

37''.,377,:i9i) 

Samuel 87,41,139,140,174 

177 

Stephen 218 

J W.slev 188.437 

Bedel. Moodv 256 

Berr\. Cliarres T. 218 

Bishop. Knofi 141.245.247 

Black>nilths ^42 

Blalsdell, Isaac 123.142,174 

177,221.283,3« 17.379 

iMiac K. I>i6,4l4 

Jonathan 34 

M.'»liech W. 272 

Philip 141 

Stephen 174 

Blanrlinrd, Benjamin 2H8 

h.lMn./er 19J,lyi346,a'j3 

Kdw.ird 2:<1 

Jox'ph 2-32 283,242.248 

UlodKvtt, l->iw«ril 123.206 

318,338, .H6,377,416 

Julius lS8,4a8 

Bodwrll, Abraham 1»4 



880 



INDEX. 



Bohonon, Ens. Andrew 3 

62,69,70. 133, 201, 2(18 

249,255,257,259,282,286 

298,375 

Andrew 255,364 

Andrew B. 267 

Annaniah 69,70,139,140 

174,177,208,255,25\264 

282,342 

Ebenezer W. 257 

Jacob 69, 70, 142, 255, 259 

298 

Jacob, Jr. 208 

John 140 

Stephen 210,257,263,264 

344,351 

Bookbindery, 344 

Bootman, Eli 343 

Boscawen 1,4,5,8,15,46,60 

63, 90, 152, 155, 194. 227 

230.231,232,2a5.239,240 

242,245,258.263,267,279 

282,286,295,30U,3u5,314 

320 

Bothwell, G. W. 170 

Boundary between 

Mass. and N. H. 28 

Bouton, Nathaniel 7,116,194 

Hannah 33 

Boulder 24 

Bow 194,286 

Bo wen, Jeremiah 70,263,266 

John 54,69,70,72,227,228 

229,230,-231,235,238,2.39 

244,252,258,297 

Peter 54,69,201 

Bowers, Andrew 58.84.86 

120,122,140,143,162,205 

208.210,212,221,304,306 

322 327,341, &c. 

John 140 

Bradford 194, 279, 286, 384 

Bradford, Rev. Moses 193 

Bradley, Daniel 33 

Brentwood 186, 218 

Bridges, first 366 

Republican 316, 318 

Brooks 20 

Chance Pond 20, 337 

Stirrup Iron 155, 297 

Brottlebank, Daniel 70,121 

139, 141, 172, 174, .307 

313, 332 

Brown, Edmond 37 

Jacob 42^ 

James 33 

John 255 

■John R. 126,271 

Joseph, Jr. 173, 177 

Jonathan 327 

Moses 323 

^Nathaniel 174 

Robert 275 

Samuel 354, 356, 357 

Thomas 223 

Bunton, Robert 285 

Burden, Rev. John 125, 188 

Burleigh, Henry 395 

John 55 

Joseph 423 

Josiah 176 

Wallace 395 

William H. 432 

Burnham, Rev. S. H. 170 

Buxton, Edward B. 406 



c 



Calef, Arthur S. 
Benjamin 
Daniel J. 



348, 434 
384 
121, 126, 163 
206, 379 
Daniel R. 274, 377 

David 423 

David F. 213, 214, 215 

Garland 355, 357, 379 

Henry 340 

John 57, 58, 132, 133. 221 
224,369,422 
John, Jr. 125 

John A. 274 

Jonathan 423 

Joseph 141 

Moses 228/ 

William 56,62,69,70,74 

133,141,201,259,262,282 
"^^ ■ 292,375,422- 

William, Jr. v • 141- 



Call, John 
Lemuel 
Moses 
Philip 

Silas 
Stephen 

Canaan 

Canals 

Canterbury 



245,417 
357 

3,8,38,42,53,244 
249,292 

267 

57,62,66,69,244 

245,254 

274 

318 
194,226,227,229 
230,231,232,235 , 

342-^ 



Carpenters, first 

Carr, Hamilton 275 

Carroll, James 275 

Peter 275 

Carter, Col. John 267 

John C-, Sergt. 271 

Lamson 218 i 

T. J. :.'24 

Winthrop 263 

Cass, B. D. 190 

Caswell, Rev. E. H. 167 

Cate, Dea. Wm. 174,182,186 

3t3 

John 191 

Cavender, John 378,384,434 



Cemeteries 
Census of S. 
Center, Col. 
Challis, Enos 

John 

Thos. 



367 

379 

263 

139,140 

69.70,141,255 

34,70,141,265 



Chamberlain, Moses 194 

Chandler, Aretus 192 

Col. Isaac 279,282 

Chapman, Amos 128,347 



Richard 


191 


Charter and Grant 


Mass. 


33 


Masonian proprietors 37 


enlarged 


44 


amended 


438 


Chase, Aquilla. 


(See Gen- 


ealogy.) 


335 


Bailey 


139,140,174 


Benjamin 


334 


Carlton 


222 


Cyrus 


282 


Daniel 


378 


Enoch, Capt. 


70,142 


George W. 


272 


Stephen 


33, 335 



Chase, Thomas 62,97,121,124 

140,173,177,182,203,219 

216 349,364 

Thomas, 2d, Corp. 267 

Trueworthy 70 

William 70,142 

Chester 61,148,258,291,334: 

Chote, David 222 

Simeon 70 

Cilley, Benjamin 188 

Greenleaf 97 

Joseph 356 

Samuel 356,357 

Thomas J. 282 

Claggett, Wm. 218,224 

Clark, James 190 

John 190 

Joseph 317,434 

Nathaniel 33 

Percival 34 

Clay, James 141,142 

William 141 

Clement, George 348 

John, Capt. 142,174 

J. 283 

Rev. Josiah 185 

Jonathan H. 212,378 

iMo.ses 89.142,210,376,384 

ClitTord, Benjamin 142 

Ebenezer 69,70.255 

Edward 142 

Joseph 38,273,379 

Richard 142 

Clough, Abner 19 

Jeremiah 244,317 

Moses 172,177,186 

Obediah 317 

Thomas 317 

Wadleigh 177 

Wm. B. 335 

Cochran, Jacob 76,121,255 

Cotlin, Charles C. 7,8,279,291 
Frederick C 282 

Peter 320 

Colby, Andrew J. 272 

Daniel 294 

Enoch 141,224 

Ephraim 62,70,141,199,208 
255 
Ezekiel 221 

Gardner 190 

Isaac, Jr. 222 

John, Jr. 191 

Moses 272 

Nathan 69,2.54 

Nathan S. 223 

Nicholas 70 

Philip 201 

Phineas '188 

Row ell 223,250,255,256,259 

Colburn, J. F. 275 

James 434 

Colcord, Samuel 37,52 

Cole, n. J. 343 

Isaac 343 

Trueworthy 4:-l7 

Collins, Benjamin 250 

Charles 140 

Ephraim 38,46,54,66,244 

336 

John 140,376,380 

Deacon John 62,68,76,81 

115,121,133,140,149,150 

153,159,197,201,221,226 

254,265,321 



INDEX. 



881 



ColHns, Rev. John 
Comb Manufactory 
Comniodities, price of 
Coiiant. Kfv. Lcha 
Concord 4.5,149.150,182 
194.2;i9.'.J5r.,267 
Condit, Kev. V. \V. 
Connor, Joseph 

Simeon 174,177 

Cook, Capt. A. B. 

Rev. ,lo8eph 

Jonathan 
Cook's I'ond 
Coombs, S. B. 184,206 
Corser, Charles W. 

Nathan S. 

Rice 

William 
Couch, K. D. 

Hirum 



Ira H. 12ti,20fi 

John, Jr. 96,142, 1S7 

John 3d 188 

Joseph 124 

J. Allert 

Samuel 188 

Samuel, Jr. 

William 
County, formation of 

of Merrimack 

Farm 
Cram, Jonathan 69,70,7' 
120,122,172,173.252, 

Crane, R. F. 
Cresssy, B. C. 214,215 
Crockett, Dr. Ephraim 
Crosby, Nathan 
Cross, Rev. Abijah 165 
194 

John 

Stephen 70,140 

Thomas 
Cummingg, Rev. E. E. 

182, 

Joseph 
Currier, Ernest C. 

Daniel 

James 205,208, 

John 
Cashing, Caleb 140 

D. 

James R. 

Joseph 

Theodore 

Zacbeus 

D 

Damon. Rev. Joseph B. 
Dana, Kev. I), l."^^!,!''..' 
Danbury 14,tf4.220,2f><l, 
Dane, Kev. Ellas 

Damon 
Danford. Nathaniel 
Danfortli, Josiah 

.Nathaniel 
Daniels, J. W. 
Dark Day 
Darling, .lohn, Jr. 

Maj. Timothy 

Ira 
Darjs, Aquilla 

Rev. K. 

Francis 

Joseph 



188 
343 

71 
IW 
,184 
,384 
16<t 
222 
,178 
271 
169 
20(5 

20 
,370 
254 
274 
101 
187 
206 
4.37 
,271 
,1«9 
,437 
,186 
188 
,423 
188 
187 
285 

[to 
106 
.114 
255 
267 
192 
,2-4 
219 
224 
,193 
205 
2,')0 
,265 
3)7 
180 
,183 
181 
206 
141 
340 

,20S 
397 
435 
396 
221 
355 



Davis, Madison B 

Nelson 

Samuel 

.ste|)hcn A. 
Dawns, .loseph 



272 
275 
177 
183 
221 



185 

r.'.'i 
\sr, 

1S5 
21*1 
141 

2'*t; 

2-J4 
74 

37 



2l'HI 

33 



Daysbury,I''erilinand .M. 272 

Dearborn, (ien. Henry 165 

262 

John J. 406 

I'eter 38,62 

Kev. Reuben 188 

Deerlield 18t) 

Dfvenpor.l, A. D. 272 

Dimiind, Duvid 219 

W. K. V72 

Diiislow, Warren 27.'S 

Disputed Titles 26 

Di.x. .John A. 5,8.9 

Dodfrc, riumbor 214,215,224 



Eaton, Frederick 194 

Jesse 188,376 

John C. 124,876,384 

John S. 188 

Levi 142 

Samuel 09,142, 174, 177, 1H5 

326,3al,422 

.Stephen G. 224 

El.lridK.., Kev. E. ('. 167,219 

Elkins. Abel 69,139,14(1,172 

1 74 .208.255,260,360,;j«0 

George or (.Uenrv) 274 



I'.rley 
Dolnii, .lames 
Donovan, .M. T. 
Dover 

Dover I'oint 
Dow, Gideon 

Henry 

.Joseph 

Reuben 
Dre.sser, Asa 
Dudley, Jacob 
Dunliip, John B. 

Samuel. Jr. 

William 



224 
27.i 
271 

177,284 
129 

69,265 
31 
379 
263 
260 
174 
376 
340 
126,293,37 



Duiibartoii32,194,26I,287, 84 
Dur;:in. James 275 

William 191 

Durham 800 

Dyer, Edward 266 

E 

Eams, Jeremiah 166 

Early Discoveries 25 

Eastinun, Benjamin 70,141 

223,266,263,282 

Ebenezer, of Concord 286 

Ebenezer .38, UIO, 191, \V2 

203,317,8.'!6, .344, 34.1,351 

369, :S4.4I5. 422,434 

Edward :-5,t>4 «t,70,73,115 

140,l,W,lb8,249.2.'>.i, :'57 

2i»i,262,265,297,375 

El bridge G, 437 

Ephraim 205,326,327,329 

S80 

Ezra 124 

Gilbert I21,126,222,876,:i78 

414 

James 331 

John R. 219 

J.K-I.tapt. S,6.S4,1(M,I(5 

122, 123, 140,2111.211, 2IJ 

221 ,282,283,33t.t,33l , 384 

422 



Joel, Hon. 
Jonathan 
Joseph B. 
.loseph, .Ir. 



211,224,433 

al7 

224, 4.V> 

37.57 



Mos.-s 2f»«l.212,J21,22'.307 

3tH,377,384,409,4n.423 

433,43.'> 

IVter 139,143,174. ■77. 86 

ridneas 140,191,221 

.Samuel, Jr. 88 

William «>,"0,13fl,I40.174 

177.208,266 



Henry 


221,249.265 


Jeremiah 


222 


John 


188,249 


51 ufcs 


69,266,260 


Richard 


174,177 


Samuel 142,174,177 839 


Silas 


340 


Thoniaa 


191 


Elliott, Dudo 


177 


F. .S. 


214 


John 


173.177 


John, Jr. 


3i',6.85" 


Kev. John 


134,146,147 


Joseph 


73 


Nicholas 


173,177 


W. F. S. 


214 


Emerson, Kev. 


Daniel 179 


Edward 


H 


Edwin B. 


348,379 


Elbridge G. 


274 


John 


340,;i46 


Kufus 


274 


Emery. Elbridge G. 218 


Benjamin 
G.E. 


2.56 


18 


Moses 


194 


William 


259 


Endiiot, Gov. 


18 


Endicot Rock 


28 


Epsom 226,246,263,287,.100 




384 


Evans. Daniel 


2*« 


E<lward 69,140,201,262,269 


Josiah 


141 


Wiggln 


173 


Everett, D. R. 


127,348,37» 




4.33 


Rev. .Samuel 


im 


Exeter Academv 16.8 


Exeter 7.12^.252,205,277 


Exploring I'arl 


ty 27 



F 

Farley, Rev. Keuben 193 

Farmer, M. G. 8 

John 112 

Fanners' Club 866 

Fariiliani, Ebenezer 273 

Increase 1.39 

James 273 

John 142,174,177 

Far well, Thomas 194 

Fetch, Daniel 2f>5,2.'>8 

Fellows, Daniel 140.4'22 

(ifiirue E. V2$ 

Henry A 2<'6 

James r2O,12.5.306,879.422 

John t;2,69,7lM40,'249JM 

38«!,;42 

John. Jr. 141,264.266 

Jonathan 70 

•losepli 2'''0 

H(MM 



8S2 



rSDEX. 



Fellows. Moee$, Jr. If5 
PUnT A. i*r,i6T.aoo 

Bich'ard 1*>.1S») 

Eichard, Jr. 120,125.1S 

Stephen 221.232 

Stillman 144 

Terrin. James 423 

FerTT. Wiie"5 79 315 

Cross's 31S 

Fessenden. W. P. 8.9 

FilieW. Abraham 6S .122.1 iS 

141,173.174.17T,1?7,2S2 

255,2S-2 

Amos lio.221 

Benjamin 142^)4 JJJ. 

Ebenezer C. 435 

Edward 6-^.122.139,141,173 

174,l&7Jffi6.2S7.25& 

Enoch 174,lS2,267;S3.i^ 

Ezekiel 70 

Frederick Vr. 136,202.3>:'& 

370 

Hiram 224 

James 436 

Jesse 436 

John 56,57,'59,W2-15'>-^^ 

25y.37.5 

John, Jr. 3fr,ao,121,174.177 

•>a 

John W. 127.379 

John 3d 174.3S1 

John L. 436 

Jonathan *."' "- lU V2J 

ii>.i40.77;: :-. - ; - 

3J6.34y.2^.! . - -_ -/ 

Joseph 65.' ' 
S2.l2l.li: 
14135^57.-: _ -^ 

267 .> . . 
Joshua SC.lS,124.2-^5Jio$ 
3TS,3S4,4-3.4J3 
Moses 2^ 

ObediahP. 6&,142A>5^2 
2S3 
Eenben 3~> 

Samuel 3S.41.44.55-5«5.-;.7 

•24yj2>rr 

Sherbarne 13y.l4l 

Shabael 2>>S.2>>i 

Snel Srfj 
Winthrop 70a42,l9«J.221 
•263,335,423,4-38 

First cemetery 1-^ 

chaise 415 

chUd 413 

church location 13>) 

clock 414 

fire company 2&i 

jnrors 64 

land plowed 42 

minister 134 

pears 382 

piano 413 
religions paper pnb- 

lished in the C. S. 178 

saw-mill 46 

school money 196 

hoQse 196 

settlers -53 

stores 417 

stores 413 

town-meeting 61 

wa^on 415 

Fisher, John 2ST 



Fitts. Daniel 
Eev. Daniel 
Henry 
Isaac' 

JohnM. 

Joiseph 70 

Eichard IS-S 

Fitzgerald. Edward 2&1 

Fitzwilliam 251 

Flanders. Abner ISo 

Ezekiel 423 

Ezra 142477,135,157,201 
Jacob 174 

James 326.331 

John 142 

Peter 423 

PhUip 250,^3,256.258 

True 13S 

Tmeworthv 22i 

William ' 422 

Flemming. Thomas 275 

Fletcher, Eer. M. IfS 

Eichard 5,2t}e,2l7,223,3»>i 

410 

Folsom. EeT. F. 158 

Foote, C. E. 3*73*8.379 

James L. 127.437 

Ford. Eev. A. A. 1*5 

Fort Salisbory 243 

William and JIary 249 

Foster, Aaron ' 223 
Abial 1S4.2I::* 

Amos 435 

Benj. F., Eev. 1'>:.1S5.1.^ 
215 40.5 
Ephraim 24-5 

Hezekiah ^,142.16<jJic4 
Jonachan 70441,255,256 
259 
Obediah 287 

Eichard 142,153.166,202 

Fowler. Ellison 317 

John 33) 

Eobert 141 

FrankUn S2.i4.t6.&7,135.219 

2S7,2S3J61.43i 

first boildin^ in 337 

Frazier. Benj. 139,142^74 
RrLJ. L. 272 

William 267 

Fre*man,EnseU -300 J»>* 3L5 
Eev. Oeorge 193 

French, Albert A. 272 

Charles 223 

Henrv 31. 271 

Hiram F. 2C0.226 

Jonathan 3H.436 

J. a. A.. Dr. 21S,4^ 

Joseph 69.70442,255,297 
376 
Xathaniel 423 

Beuben 2i:»4 

Samuel 132JJ65 

Freshet 9I,S6401 



Gase, Eer. Darid 155 

Gate, Benjamin 2C«5,213.423 
BeDjamic. Jr. 272 

BeDjamin F, 125.375 

Eliphalet 53,57,62,121..$?6 
Jacob 5,44,36,57,132433 
3ai,4?5 
James 142 



L2f<2 


Gale, John •: 


215 


John C. 70 


215 


122.124,1£- 


70 


221,2,55,2r:' 


4% 


326,3a.5,;5- 



Gardner, J. W. 2:£ 

Garland. Jacob 6&,70.14l 

205.235 .29) 

James 1S«J,2IJ6,337,344,3»* 

427 

Joseph 141 

Moses - - ■ :. 

141.1. ---.-.: 

•25' .- ..." -- 

29t.3ij7.i5o,<>.,l tit-, o75 

Gates, Marvin 222 

Geology 22 

George'. Amos 267 

Austin Sol 

Ezra 14W 

Henry C. 272 

Leri 139,14<),2i;'8 

Samuel 3iJS<.',l9l,3!» 

Stephen 2>:45,253 

Tb<»odore 267 

Tme 1304i*l^,^D,37») 

o7S 

Gerrish, Enoch 2S>.2&5,ai6 

330,321^22 SC-^i^^ : -7 

Henry 19,11- . . 

Jc'Seph, Maj. .'..-: - 

Joseph Isi 

Mos^rs 2S2 

Stephen 246^266 

Giichnst, Darid 434 

Gilman. Amoe 140 

Daniel 70441.249,253 

John 141 

Samuel F. 317,422 

Thomas 317 

Trneworthy 3*9,3s4 

Gilmanton 7:SS 

Glir - A ^ 271 

Gcf 250,257 

Go - _rii -2^3 

Gov^.-.,- v._.^.otTe 423 

Foster 423 

Lazarus 34 

W F. 4 - 

Gookin, Crms 

i:- 

DaridC. 121 .x_:.-.^. 
£5,379 

Xathaniel 286 

Pelatiah 357 

Gordon. Chas. E. 1704S4 

Jackson 170 

Gorges, Ferdinand 26 

Gonid. Joseph 33 

Eobert 25y 

Gore. Jeremiah 267 

Goremment, formation 

of state 111.115,116 
Goremor rote 117 

Grand Army Pc«t 358 

Grange. Bartlen 35* 

Grantees, sketch of 50 

Grasshopper year 97 

Graves, A. L. 37S 

Greeley, Andrew L. 437 

Benjamin 69, 1 .141 .In 
254,375 

Benjamin, Jr. 704^2,^0 



INDEX. 



883 



Greeley, Daniel M 

David 38,70.2tVJ 

Jacob 422 

James 22.'i 

John 188,'282,a^9,364.422 

Jonathan^ 'MAi 

Jonathan, Jr. 37,64,5.').357 

Joseph, Capt. 87.50 

Josei)h N. 121.294 

Luther J. 437- 

Matthew 141,2.')S,2i.r) 

Moses 120,12.3,lJ4,12r),lss 

212,221.325,370,378, 41«; 

422 

Nathan 255 

Nathaniel 70,188,221,339 

423 

Paul 268,422 

Philip 279 

Reuben 08,70,188,204,240 

2,52,255, 2:)S,202.;«Mi 

Richard 122,l42.2tW 

Samuel 88,370.422 

Shubael 57,09,70,lil.l33 

140,255,375 

Thomas 160 

Green, Xiithaniel 8 

Greene, Abraham 37,62 

Aaron 224 

Herschel 182.341 

Jeremiah 341 

Joshua T. 124.370 

Josiab 174,175,176,178,202 

384 

Sylvester W. 85,370,.379 

Greenleaf,Krancis S. 347,378 

Henry 214,215,210,218.224 

345.4 :5 

Samuel 102,123.140.208 

210,,307,342.347 377 

Thomas II. 221,224,343,a55 

357 

Trl.stram a3,212 

Stephen 32,33,34 

Greenoiigh pond 20 

Greenouph. Caleb 224 

Charles 437 

ElbridKC F. 214,347,379,436 

K. W. 214 

Richard 104,141 

Robert 422 

T. R. 423 

Grist-mills 339 

Gnilford, E. \Y . 120 

.Samuel 131 

Gutteridge, Jeremiah 34 

H 

Hackett, Georjie 263 

Hadduck, Charles B. 5,0 

223,4.i'> 

William 5. 190,191,341, a51 

.384 

William T. 222,430 

Had lock. Levi 22 1 

Hail-storm 107 

Haines, .losiuh 174,177,2t>: 

Hale. I.^^aac 97,191,423 

John T. 355 

Roval 867 

Thomas 34 

Hall. Caleb 314 

David 5.'.,70,141.2.'k''. 

Jeremiah 191 

Joseph 342 



Hampton 52,129,108.274 

IlttiiCDck, Jacob 131,249 

John 42.3 

Hardy, T. 86,.323 

Harper, Dr J. M. 4oo 

lliiniiiiiin, 1). S., Hev. ls« 

Sli'pliiMi 206 

Walter 18.165,417 

Harris, Walter. Kev. 194 

Hiirvev, David 1x7 

llarwood, William 419,423 



R. C. 



Ilntch, Kev. 
Hilt ."hops 
Hawkers 
Hawkins, L. D. 
Hawley, Lyman 



102 
;«3 



128,431 

94,221,349 

3S4 

Hays. J. M. 121.120..34S.379 

Haywood, Henjamin 70,164 

Haywoods lio 

Ha/.i'ltoii, William 2ip5 

lliizcii. W. A. .327 

Kicliard 14,18,31,33 

Healov, Nathaniel 319,320 

Heath, 1$. S. 273 

B K. 314 

C E. 272 

Ephraim 69,70.266,268,202 

Evan M. 272 

H. V. 272,25»4 

Job 08,70,141.266,422 

Mo.«es 191 

Xehemiah 140,249.264 

W. C. 271 

Hebron Hi9 

Hen hiker 32.194,287,3K4 



Herbert. Hichard 


268 


Hichard, .Jr. 


327 


Her^ev, I'eter M. 


185 


Hibirrd, Levi 


223 


Hill. Bald 


17 


Bean 


17 


Beech 


17 


Calef 


17 


Garland 


186,187 


Loverin 


17 


Haccoon 


17 


.Searle 


IG 


.Smith 


17 


.Joseph 


84 


Moses 


402 


^^amuel 


223 


Levi O. 


401 


184,194,287,289 


Eleazer 


294 


Hillsl.oroiiffh 150,253,269,2«0 


Hilton. Elijah 


857 


Hoap, lli'iij. 


33 


Roliert 


2<M 


Hobbs, John 


174 


David 


187 


HoliMoH, ,lohn 


83 


Hodye. N.S. 


27*' 


Hodk, Hiiniphrer 


"37 


iiotiksett °io; 


■,287,.%><4 


Hopkinton l.%,7s,Wi.l49.15o 


lt;2,l82,l'M,289,287,V95 




3H4 


Asso. Ct.njf Churches 193 


Howard, Benjamin 


142,187 


252,266,258,422 


Holmet ft Homer 


192 


Silai. 


274 


William 


309,342 


Holland, Jo«Pph 


84 



Holt, Enoch 191 

Holt, Abraham 173 

B.-njaiiilii 174,177,186 

Calvin 211 

Jedediali,,Ir. 223 

J<din 121,1H,201 

Joseph 263 

Joseph. Capt. 297,298 

Timotbv 207 

Willjiini 205,2.')0,.344 

Iloyt.John 269 

Beuben 69,70,72,178.249 

2.'i5,26S 

Uiuluii, .!r. 266,256 

Hudson. i;ieazer 34 

Hunt. .M T. 267 

Hichard 1H8 

Huntoon, A. B. 294 

I Benj <".9,7o,74. 122,133 

142.149,1.50,1.53,1.^,221 

222,249,255,266 292, 293 

325,423 

Benj., Hev. 165,218 

Cvrus 272 

Daniel 69,142,255 

Daniel, Jr. 141 

John 37,46,49,65,50,57,58 

204,336,369 

John H. 418 

.lonathan 141,154,255,266 

Joseph .>». 2(il2 

Nathaniel 38,70,25.5,2.57 

292,436 

Nathaniel D. 125,3«X),378 

I'ariietis 437 

Philip 255.266 

I'hineas 141,173 

Head 273 

Samuel 283,423 

Svlvanus 486 

\Villiaiii 1<)1 

Hiisc. 'I'liomas 33 

William 33 

Hutchings, G. II. 436 

I 

Indiiiii bridge 227,234 

Indiiiii-, ( risto 226^ 

Niirrii;;ansetts 226 

Sabatis and I'lansuwa 229 
Sarap cap 245 

song 241 

St. Francois 225 

capture Maloon family 

3.239 
Ingalls, Benj 2>» 

Ipswich, Mass. 148,149,151 

J 

Jackinnn, John 188 

Jackson, Oeorge 118 

Joshua 191 

.laiiiesi I. Ci. 188 

Jelferson. Thomas 9,96 

.leffery (•eorgp..Jr. > 80 

Jemson, John 55,tr2.)M.70 

224,26:.255,260 

Moses 142 

Jerrod, John 173 

Jt-rvls, .lolin 221 

JoluKon, EiN'iii'zer .33,'W.70 

I25.141,14lM8'.<.2)il.249 

IVLf* 3*.^ 8T8 

Jarae* 70,250,2&&!2O)/i6S 

83S 



bS4 




INDEX. 


Johnson, James from 


Ladd, Joseph 173,273 


Charlestowu 


239 


Nathaniel 37 


John 


207 


Nathaniel, Rev. 189 


Jonathan 


267 


True wort by 47,57,230,339 


Philip 


26U 


William 423 


William, Rev. 


33 


Lamb, James 288 


William 


363 


Lambert, Nathaniel 102 


Jones, Ephraim 


230 


Laug, Isaac 194 


Isaac 


223 


Jeremiah 319,320 


Moses 


279 


Lawyers 407 


Joy, Thomas, Rev. 


185 


Lee 176,300 


Judkins, Andrew 


142 


Leighton, Edward 97 


Caleb 70,141,177,180,208 


Leonard, Ebenezer 384 




221,347 


John 183 


Joel 


265,207 


Lewis, Moses, Col. 338 


Leonard 65,69,7 


0,115,121 


Library, Social 220 


177,201,208,226,255,370 


Literary Adelphi 222 




380 


Little, Benjamin 327,332,423 


Richard 


192 


Ebenezer L. 436 


Samuel, Lt. 


142 


Eliphalet 2H9 


Samuel 


142 


Elbridge F. 436 


Samuel, Jr. 


190 


Enoch 84,87,194 


Jurors, pay of 


64 


E. S.,Rev. 219 


Justices of Peace 


377 


Jacob 9.224 


K 




John 223 




John W. 436 


Kearsarge Gore 


19,321 


T. D. 89,126,127,143,170 


mountain 


15,18 


206,222,251, 294,379,.380 


pond 


20 


T. R. 127,128 


Keath, Caleb 


93,94 


Valentine 210,378,435 


W. A. 


94 


William 210,356,423 


Keene 


284 


William C. 221 


Kelley, Albert 


224,435 


Littlehale, John 34 


Israel W. 5,105,120,12.3,124 


Londonderry 162 


221,223,354,356,378,384 


Long, Ebenezer 37 


Israel, Jr. 


214,215 


Longfellow, Stephen 33 


William 


224 


Loiden, Dennis 299 


Kendrick, Ariel 


178 


Michael 127 


Kenniston,Jonathan 182,186 


Lovejoy, Chandler 317 


John 


173 


Lovel, Daniel 141 


Joseph 


173,177 


James 141 


W. D. 


271 


Joseph 141 


Kent, George 


385 


Nathaniel 70 


John 


33 


Nehemiah 141,267 


Keys, H. C 


168 


Loverin, Benjamin 436 


Kilburn, Albert 


274 


Daniel 2(i3 


John A. 


218 


Joseph 70,252,255.256 


Kimball, D. F. 


282,341 


Samuel 70,139,142,174,177 


F. U. 


273 


208,249,252,255,256,259 


Moses 


167 


William 275 


Peter 


258 


Lowel, Gideon 33 


Richard 


140 


Lufkin, Joseph 141 


Samuel 


178 


Levi 266 


Kingston 50,51,52,53,150,168 


Philip 70,255,258,262 




250 


Lunt, Ezekiel 255 


King's trees 


21 


John 33 


Kittredge, Alfred 


214,215 
218 


Lyon, G. Parker 113 


Aaron 


224 


M 


Caleb B. 


218 


Jonathan 


218,399 


Manchester 185,271,273,274 


Kizar, Lemuel 


176 


Mann, D.J. 127,128,264 


Reuben 


255,260 


Stephen 422 


Samuel 


70,268 


Manton, Paul S. 259 


William 


70,141 


Manuel, Levi 223 


L 




March, John 32,34 




Jonathan 53 


Lackey, Nathan 


275 


Joseph 139 


Ladd, Benjamin 


37 


Marsh, Joel 306,308,313 


Daniel 


245,256 


Moses 205 


Dudley 161,192,343 


Marston, Jeremiah 357 


Edward 


173 


Joseph 69,70.254 


James 


266 


Nathaniel 69,70,255 


John, Jr. 


37,56 


Martin, A. H, 127,185,186,188 


Jonathan 


132 


206 



Masonian Proprietors 30 

36,126,131 

Mason, John 26 

John, Jr. 142 

Joseph 142,177 

Tufton 36 37 

Masonic 353 

Mathews, G. B. 203 

Matterson, Resolve 297 

MaxBeld, J. G. 273 

McAllister, D. R. 126 

McCarty, Henry 275 

McClary, Andrew 245 

McCrillis, David 317 

McDonald. James 275 

McFarland, Asa 192 

McGregory, J. B. 355 

McNeil, John 260,261 

Mead, Asa 223 

Meloon, David 240,241 

John 240 

Joseph 141,202,240,255,260 

264 

Mary 240 

Nathaniel 3,8,.53,62,69,71 

141,240,241,242,243,245 

250,255,316,321,368,375 

376 

Nathaniel, Jr. 



69,70,121 

202,240.255 

240,241,242 

265 

240,242 

230,231 

191,192,401 

168,212 

168,288 

97,434 

223 



Rachel 
Samuel 
Sarah 
Melvin, Eleazar 
Merrill, Jesse 
Horatio 
Nathaniel 
Caleb 
Gilman 
T. C. 214 

Merrimack Co. Agri- 
cultural Society 5 
Cong, churches 193 

Merrow, J. 249 

Meserve, Col. N. 30,245 

Middlesex canal 14 

Mill House 337 

Miller, Daniel 370 

Henry 275 

John 273 

Minerals 15,23 

Mitchel, Philip 255,260 

Moffat. John 30 

Moody, Caleb 33 

Joshua 33 

Moore, Samuel 30 

John 189 

Moores, Gilman 125,126,376 
H.C.W. 126 

Henry 277 

Moran, James 275 

Morey, William 177,260 

Morrill, Abel 93,94,140,265 
342 
Abel, Jr. 140 

Abel, 3d 247 

Enoch 357,423 

Henry 37,54,227,228,229 
230,231,235,239 
Henry, Jr. 125 

Jabez 141,174 

Jacob 46,53,70,252,260,205 
Jonathan 267,423 

Joseph 124 

Levi 123,174,362,376 



INDEX. 



885 



Morrill, I'liul 2fi« 

W. V. 188 

Morse. Caleb 8.">,;J4.3 

Charles A. 43'; 

CharU's U. 314 

Daniel ■-'22 

Mor-es 139,14I.2(»S 

J oseph :(.'>" 

Joshua 257.25'J 

Stephen 3o5,37i> 

Stephen, Rev. 194 

Moultun, Ik'iinlDg 314 

W.H. 107,1-6 

Music diurcli k3 

Musical Society 357 

Muzzy, John 14') 

N 

Nelson 32,34 

Nesmith, Geo. W. 5,M,114 
205,228,4' '9 
New calendar year 42 

New Hampton ThcoloR- 

ical Seminary 183,184 

New Lon.loii 18J,ls<i,27lt,2M« 

Newton, William 55.2t;(),33t) 

Northtield 194,260,28t5,2*S 

384 

Nicholsi, George 2<w 

Jonathan 297 

Mo8e8 2G2,2);3 

Norris, Benjamin 142 

John 142 

Lemuel 142 

Samuel 139,142 

Noyes, licnjamin 224 

Joseph .338.»»5,415 

Leonard 224.3;">7,3.S4 

Nathaniel 123,140.212.344 

34.'),.347 

I'arkcr 5,97, Ktn. 191, r,t2 

203.205,221.2;i;t..n3,:«l 

304,377,384,408 

Paul li»2 

S. C. 218 

o 

Odiorne, Jotham, Jr. 30 

Oil-mill 340 

Orphans' Home lO.M.Lil 

15o,l'.>'.',2<i.3 

Osborn. Timothy 198,2a-. 

William 141 

Ofguod, lienjamin 142 

Onniel a^l 

Knnch 123 

Janit>!« 140 

Jos<-ph 84 

MoMM, Jr. 2)17 



Palmer. Dudley 

.lames 

ilereiniah 

.loliii 

John J. 
Parker, Daniel 



Paddl.-r..rd, Klij 


ah 21)7 


I'hilip 


297 


I'age, Caleb 


44.291 


CbrUtopher 


221,344..1H» 




4.r. 


David 


222.4.17 


Klx-nizer 


a7 


l.-'UIIC 


177 


Julin 


141,2n.-. 


Joseph, Jr. 


•M 


MoHfS 


140 


Onisephnrus 


2<>4.260,37i; 


KolM-rt 


IM 



70 

187 

18f5 

18<!,2<Wj 

423 

1.39,140,174 



William U. 
Patrick. William 
Payne, Klislia 



179.l82,lSti.314 

Edward L. li>2 

ParnifiitiT. .Iiimes 18H 

Parsons, William lt".7,17,'j 

22l,:i3ti 

348.434 

194 

297,298,300 

.304,30.'j 

Peabody, Kendall (). V.r> 

314.427 

Richard Ml 

Pearsons, .John 297 

Paul a">7 

William 188 

Peitsley, Daniel 288 

John 188 

Pecker. Thomas 30 

Pembroke 194,254,288,384 

Pemi>;ewasset Canal Co. 

.3.37 ..'WS 
Penticost, D. B. 214,21.0,219 
224 
I'erambulatlon town lines 

319 

Perkins, Klisha 177,34i; 

KoKcr K. W:J^)-, 

Pcrmont, Richard G9,7i\2.V) 

2.'.9 

Perrin, David Ho 

Stephen 131,140 

Thomas 140 

Perry, Baxter lt?2 

(loorjfe 275 

Merrill 12>< 

Pi'lers. .lames 2'*7 

I'etterson. Willot 122,14o 

I'ettengill, Andrew '>.i;i,';2 

tM. ti;t. 70. 121. 13.3. 134 

l.">0,197.i'.1.2.',7.2iio,2'!2 

2*2,342,349 3 )9.37.'. 

Amos 122,I2:J,140,194,»14 

307,314 3.i<t 

AugustusC. 370,379 

Benjamin 3,70.74.99, VJO 

122. 123.124, I4o.14«1.1.'n{ 

174. KtV-'-ix .2111,211.24'' 

'.'<;2,2»2,37^.;i-'4 

Ik'njamin.2d 1'Jo,il;,j,m ' 

I74.l77,lK.S,'.>i),s.'.'-Jl.:rJ4 

;t49,3.j<l.3t'^,370,37'i.3*4 

Benjamin, ;td 142 4;i.-. 

David iV..tW,7o.K5,12l.r.'2 

131. 13.3. 141, l'>3,173. 174 

17f.,187,'25.'J.2t;'i,3;,'),3s4 

422 

JamcK 174.l7«.3ii7 

Jonathan C. 140,-JOH 

John W. 4.'J7 

.Matthew t!2,t'.''..ia),70.71.72 

73,74,113. l-Jo. 121. 133 

13l,l:i»i.H9.197.19S.'r.<i 

•J54,'2>lO,'2(;i.282,3;i'.',34'.< 

8.VJ37.'. 

M o«e« T£i 

Nutlian .'>77 

IhoniBS H. >M.97.124.1K4 

•>li:>:2>^VJ3\:.&i.»}> ',3»W) 

378,384.40l» 



Philbrick, Jedediah 37,41 
52,66,56 

.lereniiah 

.Samiiid 

ThoniaH 
PhyhicianH 
Pierce, Joshua 

Charles 
Pierson, .lohn 
Pike, James 



.lonathan 
.loseph 
Pillsbury, J 
.M A. 
Oliver 
Siimuel 



37 

57 

62 

397 

30 

83 

75 

272 

2tJ6 

31 

282 

281 

271 

0,122,141,1.53,282 



L. 



Pingry, Aquilla 122,123,141 
2«2,340,37ti 
Samuel K. 436 

Solomon M. 4^)6 

Stephen 07,120,125,378 
437 
William 123,1'.'4.177,-J83 
323.32o,340,.3';9.378 



William M. 
Pittslield 
Plow, Webster 
Plumbago 
Pluminer, Williarn 
Poor, Enoch 
Poor-house 
Pope, William 



219,435 

283,384 

386 

22 

93,94 

252,263,261 

361 

269 



Portsmouth 231,245,271,273 
277 

Post guides 82 

Potash manufactories 341 

Potter, C. E. 296 

Jerry 275 

Pounds 861 

President .lackson's visit 100 
Monroe's visit 88 

Pressev, tieorge H. 128 

.lohn S. 282 

Paschal 2.'>9 

Preston, Samuel 2tW 

William 255 

Price. Ebenezer 9.86,192.194 

i'riiice, Davids. 127,128,839 
Charles H. 127 

Proctor. David C. 223 

Isaac 267,423 

James 190,342,344,423 

John '224,40: 

.loMUtlian 356 

Thoriulike 4-23 

Proprietors, Massachusotts 
33 
Masonian 80 

Provineial Congress 111,112 
118 

Quakers 
guiinbv, AUd M 

Andrew K. 

Currier 

Da\id 

KlM-ne/er 

Edward 

Eii'ha 

.luodi 

Jeremiah 

JlW4>pll 

Mo»e« 



130 

214,215 

224 

128,.-M8,434 

120.126 

204 

141,185.186 

221,376,896 

2.'iO 

.37,54 

249.267 

186 

87 



886 




INDEX. 




Quimby, Samuel 97 


,174,203 


Rowe, John 69,255,297 


Saw-mills 336,336 




267,423 


Rowell, John 190 


Sawyer, C. H. 436 


Tristiam 37,54,249,250 


Rowley, Mass. 148,149,150 


Edmond 255,259 


R 




151,152 


Edward 142 




Royal charters 26 


Isaac 96,364 


Raino, E. 


252 


Runlet, Theophilus 221 


Isaac N. 212,361 


Rankin, Andrew 


166 


Thomas 142 


Isaac T. 437 


Andrew E. 


160 


Ryder, James 188 


John 202,297 


Jeremiah E. 


166 


s 


Moses 5,69,70,141,204,255 


John 


166 


435 


Ratray, Thomas 


168 


Salisbury 1,60 


Nathaniel 125,212,379,435 


Redington, Thomas 


140 


academy 207 


Stephen, Jr. 190 


Keed, James 251,252,260 


aid in settling 47,48 


Sayles, Willard 223 


Representatives 


120 


at Bunker Hill 252 


Scales, Jacob 194 


Reynolds, Col. D. 


265 


Baptist Society 184 


Scammell, Alexander 258 


Richardson, George 


223 


Centre 136,138,197,199,202 


262 


Samuel 


141 


description of 16 


Daniel 69 


William 


406 


East 22,131,190,203 


School-houses 196,197 


River, Blackwater 


14 


Fort 131,248 


Scofield, W. C, Rev. 170 


Contoocook 


15 


North road 197,199,202 


Scott, Harry 271 


Merrimack 


1 


Revolutionary war 65 


William 253 


Pemigewasset 


1,14,248 


South road 135,138,197,200 


Scribner, Beniamin 69,70 


VVinnipesaukee 


14,248 


202 


141,187,188,255,259 


Roads. Ash 


293 


West 135,202 


Benjamin F. 121,379 


Battle (See Hist 




Salisbury, Mass. 250 


Ebenezer 255,256 


Boscawen . ) 


294 


Sanbornton 85,149,150,194 


Edward 69,70,142,254.255 


Bays 


294 


317 


259 


Bog 


293,294 


Sanborn, Abraham 139,173 


Edward, Jr. 69,142 


Centre 292,293,294 


208 


George H. 127 


College 296,298,299 


Abraham S. 274 


Hiram 316 


Coos 


44 


Abram 283 


Iddo 69,76,142,174.255.259 


Couch 


294 


Alfred 271 


260,282,283 


Cross 


294 


Benjamin 38,49,54,55,56.57 


John 69,142 


Fourth N. H. 


295,299 


62,65,69,70,97,121,132 


John P. 436 


Mills 


293,294 


140,148,150,200,249,265 


Jonathan 256 


Mutton 


295 


292,339,361 


Moses B. 188,436 


'New 


294 


Dearborn 97 


Samuel 3,54,68,142,241,244 


to Franklin 


295 


Elislia 70 


256,262 


to N. Boscawen 295 


Henry 273 


Sylvester P. 126 


North 


292,293 


Isaac" 121,126,128,271 


Seamens, James E. 223 


Raccoon 


293 


J. D. 191 


Seavey, George 177,178 


South 


291,292 


James A. 271 


Searle, Amos 135 


Water 


295 


Jethro 4,152,414,423 


Daniel F. 135,314.370 


Robblns, Asa 


224 


Jesse 223 


Jonathan, Rev. 4,5,9.63.69 


Charles 


223 


John 69,150,255,263,267;422 


70,134,148,149,150,151 


Roberts, Benjamin 


173 


John of Andover 319,320 


152,153,154 


Jeremiah 


140 


John R. 224 


William 69,70255,259 


Jonathan 


250 


Jonathan 1'. 267,272 


Searle's Hill 16,131,152,157 


Robertson, Andrew 


192 


Jonathan, Jr. 38,191 


278 


John 


318,345 


Joseph 182,191 


Secombe, Joseph, Rev. 37.51 


William 


191 


Matthew 2G8 


Severance, James 186,356 


Robinson, A. H. 120,125,126 


:Moses 251,252,297 


357 


206,378,404,433 


Peter 37,41,44,52,55,56 


Joseph 122,139,141,172,173 


Cyrus 


181 


319,320 


208 


Enoch 


180 


Samuel 37 


Peter 70,115,141,174,252 


John 


275 


Simeon 255,256 


259,265 


Otis 179,180,185 


Stephen 124,223 


William 141 


Otis, Jr. 


357 


Tristram, Jr. 37,52,191,249 


Shaw, Abraham 65 


Roby, Caleb T. 


64 


Tristram Tertius 37,52,55 


Abigail 182 


Rock, H. C. 


275 


56 


Benjamin 191,250 


Rocks 


23 


William 186 


Benjamin F. 370 


Rogers, Charles C. 


121,126 


Winthrop 139,141,173 


Clinton A. 273 


127,206,294,376,378,379 


Sanders,Sam'170,260,264,2()6 


Daniel W. 273 


James 


287 


Sandown 4,150 


Elbridge, 55,247 


John 


194 


Sanford, M. 179,181 


Eliphalet 293 


Josiah 85,30' 


,349,415 


Sargent, Elijah 317 


Eliphalet A. 370 


Robert 


291 


John 33 


Frederick C. 370 


Rolfe, Benjamin 


224 


Michael 177,178,185 


George 203,370 


Enoch S. 


415 


Paul D. 252 


Hale P. 370 


Henry P. 


152,415 


Samuel 33 


James 340 


John 


187 


Savage, William, Rev. 192 


John 121,127,182,340,370 


Pearson 


214,224 


Savory, Daniel 427 


Oliver 182 


Rollins, Edward 


223 


Robert 33,419,423 


Sanborn 370 


Rowe, Benjamin 


191 


Samuel 419 


Shed, Henry 214,215,216 


D. 


250 


widows 423 


Mrs. 272 



INDEX. 



887 



Shepard. Daniel 260 

Ellflia HOT) 

Slu-|ili<>r(l, .laiiips 2;')t) 

John 3,W 

Siiiiuu-I IWti 

Shirley. Jolin M. 18,3U 

JSliorl. JoHuph 33 

Kicliiird CI 

SillfV, Aaron 173 

lJ.-i.j«inln 173,177, lS»i.2<(7 
Kllslia I7a,177.18«5 

Moses 09,154, 173.K.'. 

Sillcway, Uezelviali (>2 

Williiim 54.139,140 



Silver, Samuel 
SiniontU, .lolin 

.John W 
Simons. Win. 
Simpson, A B. 
Sinclair, J. L. 
Sleeper, Jedediali 

Mosps 
Nfliemiah 
^amllel 
riiomus 

w. w. 

Smith, Andrew 
Asa 

Caleb B. 
Caleb K. 
Caleb r. 
Charles 
Charles V. 
Daniel 
David P. 
Ebenczer 
Elbridfi^o 



97,219 
219 
2ti0 

2\a 

185 

174,177 

•JtiO 

177 

1S« 

•/74 i 

174,177,2iiO 

370,405 

as5 

17ti 

293 I 

121,127,a79 

21« I 

251 

■MH 

221,422 

224 

29r>.297 

127.128,2CH5 

Elder hilias I75.17»!.I77,178 

179,18t5,205,208,221 .a46 

ticor/e F. 272 

J 11 294 

Jabez, Major 120,123,124 

2ti6,.:82,3lM,378.:i84,423 

John7o.n.'.,122.12a.l41,l'.«t 

221.249,268,260,2tV»,2f.'". 

3Af..i7»i 

John B. l(i><.22l,3.V» 

John C. 121. 1211, 131.2S2 

3;iO,3*S,37t;,37lt 

Josiiih 2«4 

.Matthew H. 17t> 

Nathan ^ 378 

Robert «,r)<t.70.71,74.7'; 

115,120,r2l.l.H.I87.14'< 

206,2 12,2:4 .2.-.7 .25;«.2>;2 

26«,297,298.;i75 

Kobort, Jr. 2<»tl 

Samuel, Jr. 33 

Williiim 317 

WilliiimU. 851 

Temperance Hotel 222 

Snow , Joshua 70,2,'V'<.2t>4,2iL^ 

SpalilMid. W. S 21s 

Stark, John 44,2.-.1.252.2'.:i 

20«i,267,2til 

Stamp act t3o 

StetDun, Caleb 218 

Stevens, AmoK P. 379 

Benj. 87.41.55.fi»'..2st; 

Cutting G9. 70.141, 174.28«i 

Daniel 70,U1,188,24U;2.'>2 

Daniel C. 12I,127.2!H 

David 97,187,188 



Stevens, D. J. 204 

Ebenezer, ( "ajit. 55,50 

Ebenezer, Col. 37,51,50.57 

6S.132 

Ebenezer, Maj. 27,44.50,51 

66,G6,67,68,2H0 

Etias 300,3ti8 

Francis 34o 

Fmnk 273 

Cieorjie W. 4.17 

Henry A., I!ov. 4:«) 

Hozekiah F. 125,188,3i.O 

ilirain 185,4:S7 

Hubbard 142 

Isaac 141.422 

Jesse 142,188 

Joseiih 2t>8 

Joseph M. 188 

Joseph P. 206,224,379 

L D. 64 

Owen H. 107 

M OSes 42;{ 

Moses J. 188.379 

Nathaniel 207.422 

Samuel 3><,2i)l 

Sullivan, (Jeorge 98,114 

Sutton town 288,-.;89 

Suton, Wm. 68 

Sweatt, Elisha 33.37,40,41 

44,40,52,55,56.57.58,131 

132,319.320,.T20 

Henry B. 434 

John 84,122,12.3.137.140 

201.210 

John D. 174,208 

Nathan 37,.50.r)7 

Swett, Henj. 2S'2 

Joseph 141,2sl 

John P. 355 

Peter 141,174 

Timolhv 174 

Swaine. llichard 192 

T 

Tailors 343 

Talford. John 44.291 

Tandy, Abel 62.69.70.142 

150.2&5,2!i7 

Samuel 142 

Tanneries I'.'l 

Tappan, Charles 33,.37,40.4I 

54.215 

Mason W. •j7o 

Tash. Thomas 250 

Tavl.ir. Kleazer 212 

.John 221,223..3«!".» 

Joshua 141 

UeiiU-n ltWl.191 

Timothy 355,423 

Tavern, lirsl 349 

Tax-collectors 371 

Tein|)enince 107.108 

Test act 3.1'. (N 

Thompson. Benj. 142 2s.; 

Charles E. 4 w 

Moses P. 125,126,343.;iTo 

370,:<79 

, Silas IV . , 127 

Tboina- ^" ' " "^ ' 

ir.'-.. 

William I ."L.t-^.i-M 

, Thornton. Col. 258 

' Thurlo. John 34 

I Thurston, Nathaniel 365 



Tiler. Samuel 428 

Tllton, David 132,133 

Ebenezer 200 

■leremjah 387 

Jeremiah M. 188 

TitcomI). Abraham 33 

Ceorjje P. 400 

Tilliiiic-iiieii (Ki 

Tolerulion act 13U 

Tornuilo 417 

Towle. (}. N. 206,404 

Towi, boundaries 3-3 

house 369 

olhcem 12(1,121, 122,1^3,124 

126.120,127,128 

warrant Tor meeting 40 

jnoorporalioii 69,00 

Town^eiid, John W 12(»,123 

124,126,2J4,356,:J.')7,378 

384,422,433 

Tracy, Ebenezer 223 

TraiiiinH-band 278 

Trees, native 21 ^ 

True, Jacob 01>,7n,115.122 / 

140,141.177,178,185,180 

225,2«io.370.423 

Jabez 31,55,142,188^207,421 

423 

John 435 

Joseph 356,420,421,423 

Joslah B. 356 

Paul 188 

Reuben 123.139,140,174.177 

220,221 ,228,307,;i20,327 

y29,415 

Trumbull, Thomas C. 271 

Trussell, Jacob 365 

Tucker, Benjamin 188,189 

Ebenezer 09.70,141,265 

Ezra 65,0"9,70,264 

Jacob 141,265 

Joseph 200,437 

Moses 250 

Natliiiniel 184 

N»thiin..lr. 126.126,379 

Oliver M. 299,370 

KIcliard 260 

Tucker's pond 19 

Turnpike, 1st N. H. 290 

4th N. H. (See roads.) 
Tyler, John 82 

r 

Union meetiug-houee 187 
Cpham, P. 214,216 

Upton. J. H. 219 

Uran. Daniel 265 



V 

Vezlna, Octave 276 

w 

Wudlev. Benjamin 37.140 

Delia 164 

Khjah 140 

John 49.250 

Simeon 154,21I7 

Walcott.John 285 

Walilron. Ezra 186 

nichard 286 

Walker. John 140 

joiuph za 

Joseph B. 866 



IXDEX. 



Walker, Timothy 150,151 

208,296 297 

Wallace, Nicholas 209 

Wallingford, Capt. 34 

Thomas 30 

Wardwell, Abial 84,268,357 

Jesse 267 

Joseph 221,223,4,15 

Reuben 422 

Warner 1,18,37,63,150,186 

193,194,259,260,267,279 

288,289,321,32:^,384 

Seth, Col. 28S 

Warren, Daniel 69 

Waferville college 183 

Watkins, Abner R. 260 

Jonathan 187 

Joseph 186 

Samuel 222 

Sarah 187 

Watson, Abijah 141,186,437 

Caleb 141 

Daniel 187,355 

Henry L. 436 

Irving A. 436 

Ithamar 267,355,378 

Joseph 437 

Porter B. 121,126,378 

Wayne, Edward 206 

Weare, Joshua L. 224 

Jonathan, Jr. 282 

Webster, Amos 223 

Benjamin 250 

Daniel 4,5,6,t0,84,96,104 

105,155,161,416,435 

David 140 

Ebenezer 3,5,8,9,50,57.58 

64,65,67,69,71,72,73. 76 

82,113,114 120,121.123 

133,137,146,148,149.153 

150,157,159 160,197,220 

221,251,254,556,258,259 

260,263,264,267,281,282 

317,336,339,351,352.356 

368375,377 

Eliphalet 222 

Ezekiel 4,98,155,190,266 

385,435 

Francis B. 436 

Gustavus V. 282 

Humphrey 141.436 

Iddo 249,250 

Israel 69,70,141,208,255,256 

260 

Jerem'h38,43,69,70,140,150 

Jeremy 41,44,55,56,57,357 

a84,422 

Joshua 38 

Jonathan 133 

Jonathan P. 221.341,346 

37R,384 

John G. 3,42,46,56,58,62.69 

70,71,73,76,121,1.32,136 

140,197,199,200,201,221 

244,248,2.55,282,321,325 

327,337,339,368,422 



n 



Webster, John, Ensign 

121,133,140 

201,210,254,267.295,375 

John, Jr. (•9,70,201 

Joseph 70,156,249,263 

Matthew P. 120,124,125 

364,378 

Moses 265 

Moses C. 126 127,299,;!59 

361,370 

Nathaniel 124,384 

Nathan 254 

Samuel 37,199,26' 

Stephen 4,140,201,224.249 

250,255,283,349,355 

Svlvanus P. 299 

Thomas 133 

Warren C. 121,127 

William 15,69,70,133,141 

153,161 

Webster 288,289 

Falls 337 

Lake 19,247 

Weeks, Brackett 395 

H enry 342 

Parker 342 

W. P. 214,215,395 

Welch, Edward 283 

Moses 252,260.263 

Thomas 133,249,263 

Wells, Caleb 186 

George 247 

Rebecca 186 

Samuel I. 5,205,218,221,223 
365,357,365,378,411,423 
Sarah 187 

Thomas 187 

William P. 224 

Weutworth, Penning 51 
John, Jr. 30 

Mark H. 30 

West, Edward 141,207,208 

221,267, .354 

Edward, Jr. 224 

Moses 221,355,423 

Wheeler. C. O. 273 

Whipple, Gen. W. 258,261 
262 

Whitaker, Thos. H. 126,127 
128,379 

White, John 96,123,205.221 

224,357,423,433,434 

Thomas R. 221.357,434 

Whitman, Geo. H. ' 273 
Royal 169 

W. C. 273 

Whitmore, M. H. 273 

Wliitnev, James 194 

John,"Rev. 188 

Samuel 223 

Whittemore, Amos 427,428 
Anthony 377 

Benjamin 122,123,208,221 
37ti,422 
Benj. Jr. 221 

David R. 437 



Whittemore, Eben'r 203,424 

Frank 293 

Joseph 437 

Peter 120,125,141,212,221 

265,422 

William 272 

Wibard, Richard 30 

Wiggin, Jona. 185 

Wigglesworth, Rev. 51 

Wild animals 21 

Wi](^er pond 20 

Marshall 1'. 7 

Luke 20,114,122,140,142 

201,208,221,307,344 

Wilkins, Joshua 194 

Williams, Eliphalet 177,208 

S42,f45 

Jesse 306,308 

Thomas 342,345 

William 82,275 

Willis, Charles B. 206 

Wilmot 14,18.220,279,288 

289 

Wilson, Ephraim F. 436 

Jere W. 436 

Job 205,295,400 

Moses S. 436 

Thomas W, 400 

Winship, Wm. B. 275 

Winslow. Elisha 37 

Samuel, Jr. 37 

Winter, John S. 221 

Wise, Robert 140,256,2Ca 

Woburn, Mass. 177 

Wolves, bounty on 78 

Woollen mills 340 

Wood, Abel 19* 

Samuel, Rev. Dr. 9.152 

156,192,193,194 

Woodard, Daniel 267 

John 273 

Woodbury, Benjaniin 223 

Samuel 224. 

Woodman, Benj. 139,141,17a 

177,186 

Benj. E. 403 

Jonathan 131 

Joseph 150,151 

Joshua 37.56.5X 

M OSes 70,25& 

Woodstock, Vt. 175,184 

AVorcesler, Deborah 217 

Leonard 159,217 

Noah 159,101,217,224 

Samuel 159,161,216 

T. Gilman 224 

Thomas 5,140,113,159,160 

161,162,163,164,lii5,191 

11-2,205,212,217,220,221 

22S 

Worth, Edmund 184 

Y 

Yale college 170 

Theological seminary 170 

Young, Joshua, Elder 175 



ADDI^NDA AM) ('ORUKCriONS. 



Page 120. Governor votes : 1886, Thomas CoK-swell 110, Charles H. Sawyer 88 ;• 
1888, Charles H. Amsden 124, Davlil H. (Joodell, 102;* 1890, Charles H. Amstlen 
— , Hiram A. Tuttli .* 

PaKf 121. Representatives: 1886, Benjamin T. Severance ; 1888, Frank H. Dun- 
lap]; 1890, Huron \V. Sanborn. Town offleers : John Shaw, m. : Anilrew H. Par- 
.sons, c. ; Charles H. Prince, Charles {J. Mor.se, .Miihael Limlon,— s. ; 1887 : John 
Shaw, m. ; .Andrew H. Parsons, o. ; Charles O. Morse, Michael Lonlon, Amos 
H. Bean,— s. ; 1888 : Daniel J. Calef, m. ; Andrew H. Parsons, c. ; Michael Lordon. 
John W. Fitleld, Huron \V. Sanborn,— s. ; 1889 : John Shaw, m. ; Andrew H. Par- 
Bons, c. ; Michael Lordon, Huron W.Sanborn, I^wls A. Hawkins,— s. ; 1890 : John 
Shaw, m. ; Andrew H. Parsons, c. ; John Shaw, Huron W. Sanborn, John W. 
Little,— s. ; 1891: John Shaw, m. ; Andrew H. Parsons, c; John Shaw, John W. 
Little, Dimond Shaw,—.*. 

Page 127. Treasurers: 188.V86, Andrew K. Quimby ; 1887, Andrew K. Quimby. 
After his death Frank H. Dunlap was ap|>ointed, and continued. 

Page 171. Deacons of the ConKreKational Church : John Cidlins, cho.sen May 
25,1774; Col. Ebenezer Webster, chosen April ,5, 1793, decline<l; Mo.ses Selley, 
chosen April 18, 1793: Amos PettinKiH. cho.sen July 5, 1796; Mo.ses Sawyer, 
chosen June 6, 1800; Hubbard Stevens, chosen May 8, 1801 ; Henjamin Huntuon, 
cho.sen July 9, 1815 ; William Parsons, James Mann, cho.sen 1842 ; F.B.Sawyer, 
cho.sen July 5, 1846; James Kilburn, Nathaniel Sawyer, T. D. Little, cho.sen 
April 28, 1860; Lsaac N. Sawyer, chosen to All vacancy of Nathaniel Sawyer 
Nov. 16, 1890; John A. .Stevens, EU)ridKe Smith, Junior deacons, cho.sen Nov. 

16, 1890. Elders: H. Huntoon, H. Stone, cho.sen May 25, 1774 ; Ebeneser Webster, 
Richard Foster, April 18, 1793. 

Page 190. Mark the chapter XII 'j. 

Page 206. School Committee : 1885, Frederick S. Fitleld ; 18H6,J.ihn Shaw, one 
year, Thomas D. Little, two years, Charles C. RoKcrs, three years; 1887, John 
Shaw, Thomas D. Little, Charles C. RoKers ; 1888, Thomas D. Little, Charles C. 
Rogers, Jolm Shaw; 1889, Charles C. Rogers, Frederick S. Filleld. (U'orge P. 
TItcomb ; 1890. Charles C. Rogers, (ieorge P. Titinnib, I^'an<ler N. Sawyear : 
1891, Charles C. Rogers, U-ander N. Sawyer, (ieorge H. Pre.s.sey. 

Page 252. To enlistments from Salisbury add Jonathan Huntoon, Hezekiah 
Fellows, .Simeon Sanborn,— 21 in all. 

Page 2.V>. Add Jo.seph Meloon,— 11 men in all. 

Page 'l-'iK. T<my .Sanborn .served in Captain Clough's company, enlisting June 

17, 1775; Joshua Bamford .Herve<l in Cidonel Cilley's regiment. In Ca|)tain 
Hutchins's company, Cilley's regiment, we llnd Eliphalet Quinby. sergeant ; 
Enos Chellls, corporal ; Jonathan Welisier, James Boles. James S«'lley ser\'e«l 
in Captain Timothy Clement's company ; John Kanade an«l Joseph Loverln 
served in the army during ih«' sununer of 1776. 

Page 273. Amos S. Bean and (ieorge E. Bean should lK'cr«'<llt«Ml to Salisbury : 
also four other men whone names are unknown. 



890 ADDENDA AND CORRECTIONS. 

Page 358. P. of H., 1885, John C. Smith, Master; 1886-'87, Thomas D. Little; 
1888, Daniel J. Calef ; 1889, George E. Fellows ; 1890, Thomas E. Little ; 1891, 
George P. Titcomb ; 1892, Steven B. Sweatt, Master. 

Page 358. Woman's Relief Corps, No. 63, instituted in January, 1890, with 18 
charter members, and Mrs. Melissa Chapman, president ; 1891, Mrs. Melis.sa 
Chapman, president ; 1892, Mrs. Etta J. Dearborn, president. 

Page 377. Tax collector : 1886-'87, Daniel J. Calef ; 1888- '89, Thomas H. Whit- 
acker ; 1890, Alpheus Huntoon ; 1891, Buron W. Sanborn. 
Page 380. Population 1890, 658. 

Page 405. W. W. Sleeper, M. D., died January 7, 1887. 

Page 406. To John J. Dearborn add,— In 1888 he had complete paralysis of 
the right side, then a cranial abscess, followed by necrosis of the left parietal 
bone, which was successfully removed, and he returned to Salisbury. One 
child, Eliza Severance Dearborn, born at Tilton, February 5, 1887. 

Page 410. G. W. Nesmith died May 2, 1890. 

Page 434. A. E. Quimby died October 12, 1887 ; Mrs. Quimby appointed Jan- 
uary 16, 1888 ; John S. Huntress appointed July 12, 1889 ; George E. Huntoon 
appointed September 29, 1890. Post-offlce at Centre Road established Novem- 
ber 21, 1877,— Sylvester W. Greene postmaster, Caleb E. Smith, assistant ; Charles 
G. Morse appointed May 6, 1885 ; Frank P. Drew appointed May 3, 1889. This 
office was changed to Salisbury Heights in the summer of 1891. William Dun- 
lap, at West Salisbury, appointed February 17, 1857, still continues. 

Page 436. Dr. Benjamin Loverin practised at Sutton, and died there July 25, 
1825. 

Page 437. To professional list add Thomas W. Wilson, M. D., Dartmouth Med- 
ical School, Rev. Julius C. Blodgett, Rev. Joseph Watson,* Elder Elijah Watson. 

Page 447, 51. Alvira A. read Alvin A. 

Page 450, 1. Mrs. J. Arey died March 4, 1890. 

Page 450, 3. Lucy A. died October 16, 1888. 

Page 450, 1. J. Arey married (3), March 17, 1891, Addie J. Davis. 

Page 451, 11. John Bagley died October 15, 1889. 

Page 465, 9. John H. married, June 7, 1888, Lula F. Campbell. 

Page 465, 4. Lucy B. married May 2, 1849. 

Page 468. (14) Mrs. Eliza Bean died December 27, 1889. 

Page 476, 55. Mrs. Sophronia Bean died September 6, 1890. 

Page 480, 5. Mrs. Mehitable Graves died Augu.st 17, 1887. 

Page 481, 16. Drusilla died April 1, 1891. 

Page 510, 18. Mrs. Wallace Burleigh died May 13, 1888. 

Page 514, 41. Francis B. Calef died July 30, 1890. 

Page 515, 45. Mary M. married (2), Dec. 5, 1887, Charles Davenport. 

Page 515, 55. Harry B. was drowned May 29, 1887. 

Page 521, 34. V, Arthur C. married, June 4, 1864, Nellie McEwen. 

Page 526, 25. Ill, Arthur B. married, November 25, 1885, Kate L. Call. 

Page 527, 8. Eliza B. died October 4, 1888. 

Page 541. John Diuiond, born 1794, died 1866. 

Page 541. (7) Lucilla N. read A. Lucilla. 

Page 543. (29) Samuel Dunlap died in Vermont, 1891. 

Page 546, 16. Both dead. She died January 26, 1891, aged 90. 

Page 550. (30) Gilbert died June 16, 1891. 

Page 550, 551. V, Charlie S. died July 4, 1891. 

Page 556, 40. Mrs. Julia A. Shaw died July 5, 1889. 

Page 566. (39) John W. died May 13, 1891. 

Page 570, 77. Frederick S. died July 22, 1890. 

Page 574. (159) Jonathan Fifleld, born April 28, 1784 ; removed to Sutton, 
where he died April 16, 1846. 

Page 577. (9) Cyrus Fitts died May 17, 1889. 



